The Unappreciated Genius Of Jackdaws

Because of their success in adapting to urban landscapes, it is understandable why jackdaws may go unnoticed. But it is worth looking a little closer. These brainy birds exemplify some of the traits that humans value most: intelligence, ingenuity, and loyalty.

A film by Matthew Spivack

Music: Convergence by Igor Dvorkin, Duncan Pittock, and Ellie Kidd

Thanks to Piers Gibbon for letting me use his sound studio to record the voice over.

The Dodo version: thedodo.com/deer-bird-friends-video-2194586139.html

Further reading:

1) RSPB profile on jackdaws: rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-
wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/j/jackdaw/

2) Discover Wildlife- 7 facts about jackdaws: discoverwildlife.com/blog/7-jackdaw-facts-you-need-know

3) British Trust of Ornithology- Identifying corvids: bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-corvids

4) Nat Geo- Bird w/ human eyes knows what you are looking at: news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090407-birds-human-eyes.html

5) University of Cambridge- Jackdaws recognize human faces: cam.ac.uk/research/news/heres-looking-at-you-research-shows-jackdaws-can-recognise-individual-human-faces

6) Aesop's Fable- The Vain Jackdaw (for a little historical context regarding negative views dating back more than 2,000 years): taleswithmorals.com/the-vain-jackdaw.htm

7) Bird Brain- An Exploration of Avian Intelligence: press.princeton.edu/titles/10808.html