Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies and Jays

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

The crow family—or corvids—consists of crows, ravens, magpies, and
jays. These are the most intelligent of all birds; they rate higher on
the intelligence scale than most animals. Intelligence is measured by
several manifestations, including the ability to make choices
(decisions), communication among members of the species and with other
species, memory, teamwork, and use of tools. By looking at how corvids
measure up in each of these areas, Savage compiles a portrait of a bird
family that turns “bird brained” into a compliment.

Savage, the author of several other books on wildlife, has a light,
informal style that takes advantage of every opportunity for a smile.
The text is structured around behaviors (nesting, seeking food, training
young, etc.), with information on corvids of all North American and
European species intermixed. While this makes it hard to find details on
any specific species (blue jays, for example, or carrion crows), it is
ideal for presenting an integrated, coherent portrait of the family. And
what a family! Opportunists, mimics, clowns, thieves, scavengers,
devoted parents, and loyal mates are only some of the terms that apply.
Savage’s well-researched, very readable, and fact-filled text is
rounded out by numerous sidebars on the corvids in myths, literature,
and Native legends, and by a chart of geographic distribution for
typical members of the crow family.

Of equal significance to the text is a wonderful collection of 60 large
color plates drawn from the work of top international wildlife
photographers. These are highly successful in capturing the essence of
these bold, assertive, often colorful birds. The absence of a listing or
other means of giving fair credit to the photographers is the one
weakness of this dynamic book.