Meet The Eurasian Magpie, One Of The Most Intelligent Birds On Earth And The Only Bird Known To Pass The Mirror Test

They can also organize into gangs and use sophisticated tactics

Maryjane

• Published in Animal Stories
• November 29, 2022

The common magpie, often known as the Eurasian magpie, is a resident breeding bird found across all of northern Asia. It is one of many corvid (crow) family members known as magpies and is a member of the Holarctic radiation of "monochrome" magpies.

The only other magpie in Europe is the Iberian magpie, which is only found on the Iberian Peninsula. English speakers use the term "magpie" to refer to the Eurasian magpie in Europe.

One of the smartest birds—and possibly one of the smartest creatures other than people—is the Eurasian magpie. The nidopallium of the Eurasian magpie is substantially larger than that of the gibbon and is comparable in size to that of the western jackdaw and chimpanzees.

Their total brain-to-body mass ratio is comparable to that of the majority of big apes and cetaceans, just like other corvids like ravens and crows. According to a 2004 review, in terms of social cognition, causal reasoning, flexibility, creativity, and prospection, the intellect of the corvid family, to which the Eurasian magpie belongs, is comparable to that of the great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans). 

Magpies have been seen performing complex social rituals, which may include expressing mourning. European magpies are also one of the few species that have been shown to be able to recognize themselves in mirrors.

More Info: Reddit, Wikipedia

This Redditor has an interesting piece of information to share with the TodayILearned subreddit group

This is the Eurasian Magpie and the expansion of its nidopallium is approximately the same in its relative size as the brain of humans

The cognitive prowess of the Eurasian magpie is regarded as proof that corvid and primate intelligence evolved independently. This is demonstrated by the use of tools, the capacity to conceal and preserve food throughout the year, episodic memory, and the ability to predict the behavior of conspecifics based on personal experience.

The Magpie's ability to cut their food in accordance with the size of their young is another sign of intelligence.

Below are comments from other Redditors

In case you don't know what the mirror test is

This Redditor is wondering if they are aggressive

What this Redditor firmly believes

So parrots didn't pass the mirror test?

They would drop something tasty in the middle of the field

This Redditor has an interesting story to share

Frantically looking for its mate

This Redditor has a few of them coming into their garden

Magpies are notorious for messing with other animals

This Redditor is sharing what they found

Their brains makes them so intelligent

This Redditor finds it so cool

Combining string with a hook to make a fishing line

Here is another Redditor with an interesting story

Some ants passing the mirror test

This Redditor just had to ask

This Redditor is talking about the wonderful abilities of magpies

The flawed test now deemed borderline useless

This Redditor says the bird is also an evil twat

Did you know that magpies have been shown counting to eat in captivity, mimicking human speech, and routinely utilizing equipment to clean their own cages? Even when hunting other birds and fending against predators in the wild, they organize into gangs and employ sophisticated tactics.

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Maryjane