Are Crows the Ultimate Problem Solvers? | Inside the Animal Mind | BBC Earth

Summary

In this fascinating puzzle, a crow must solve a complex task using a set of tools: a short stick, three stones inside wooden cages, and a longer stick trapped in a plastic box. The crow, familiar with the individual tools, faces the challenge of using them in the correct order to retrieve food from a deep hole. Through trial and error, the bird gradually figures out the solution, completing eight stages in sequence. The successful completion of the task marks a world-first achievement, showcasing the crow's remarkable problem-solving ability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The crow faces a challenging puzzle with food out of reach, requiring problem-solving skills.
• 😀 The puzzle includes several objects: a short stick, three stones in wooden cages, and a long stick in a plastic box.
• 😀 The crow must use a series of tools in a specific order to solve the puzzle and get the food.
• 😀 The crow first attempts to use the short stick but finds it too short to reach the food.
• 😀 The crow retrieves stones and must figure out how to use them to progress in the puzzle.
• 😀 The bird successfully solves the puzzle by using the stones to retrieve the long stick.
• 😀 The crow then uses the long stick to probe into the hole and retrieve the food.
• 😀 The puzzle consists of eight distinct stages that need to be completed in the correct order.
• 😀 The crow has previously solved individual tasks for food rewards but hasn't seen them combined this way before.
• 😀 Successfully solving this puzzle is a world-first achievement for the crow, showcasing its problem-solving abilities.
• 😀 The crow demonstrates persistence and learning, eventually completing all eight stages in the correct sequence.

Q & A

What is the main task that the crow needs to solve in the script?

The crow needs to solve a puzzle where it must use various tools to retrieve food positioned deep in a narrow box.

What tools does the crow have available to solve the puzzle?

The crow has a short stick on a piece of string, three stones inside wooden cages, and a longer stick trapped in a plastic box.

What is the first step that the crow takes in the puzzle?

The crow starts by using the short stick to retrieve the stones.

Why does the crow find the short stick insufficient for the task?

The short stick is too short to reach the food, so the crow needs to find another solution.

How does the crow manage to retrieve the stones?

The crow uses the short stick to grab the first stone and eventually retrieves the other two stones in order.

What must the crow do with the three stones once it has collected them?

The crow must use the three stones to get the long stick, which will allow it to probe and retrieve the food from the hole.

How does the crow use the long stick in the final stage of the puzzle?

The crow uses the long stick to probe the hole and roll the food out, ultimately retrieving the reward.

What is the significance of the puzzle being composed of eight separate stages?

The puzzle requires the crow to complete eight individual stages in a specific order, testing its ability to solve complex problems and use tools effectively.

What is the crow's previous experience with the puzzle pieces?

The crow is familiar with the individual pieces of the puzzle, as it has solved each part separately for a food reward before, but this is the first time they are arranged together.

What makes the crow's success in solving the puzzle a world first?

The crow's success is significant because it is the first time an animal has solved this particular puzzle, demonstrating advanced problem-solving skills.