Magpies can recognise themselves in a mirror, scientists have found -
the first time self-recognition has been observed in a non-mammal.

Until relatively recently, humans were thought to be uniquely self-
aware.

Scientists now know that most chimpanzees and orangutans can recognise
their own their reflections.

Some birds react when shown a mirror, but it is unclear if they know
they are looking at their reflection, German experts wrote in Plos
Biology journal.

Dr Helmut Prior, from the Goethe University in Frankfurt, and his
colleagues carried out a series of tests on five hand-reared birds.

In one test, the researchers placed yellow and red stickers on the
birds in positions where they could only be seen in a mirror.

On seeing their reflections, the magpies became focused on the
stickers as they tried to reach them with their claws and beaks.

On several occasions, they succeeded in scratching the stickers off,
which put an end to this behaviour.

Black stickers placed on the birds' bodies did not elicit the same
response.

On Aug 20, 1:51 am, turtoni fastmail.net> wrote:

turtoni fastmail.net> wrote in news:327da02b-68b7-49e6-bbca-
bd2546df5370@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com:

Not at all surprising. The entire corvid family (magpies, crows, ravens)
exhibits high intelligence, in all kinds of ways. Previous studies have
shown that they recognize each other individually, that they make tools,
and possess amazing problem-solving abilities.

Being called a "birdbrain" should be taken as a compliment, if the birds
referred to are corvids.

A ridiculous belief, if it encompassed anything much beyond that failure
to identify with reflections. Animals flee predators and potential harm,
acts of self-preservation for which there is no point in doing if an
organism lacks the capacity to distinguish between itself and everything
else. "Oh, the lion needs nourishment from consumption of this zebra
body? This zebra body will passively stand here and allow it since we
are all one."

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n4d@webtv.net (Rec Room) wrote in news:4204-48AB025B-2990@storefull-
3153.bay.webtv.net:

"Uniquely self-aware" is not the most apt description of the difference the
author was trying to illuminate.

All mammals and birds (and probably many other organisms) distinguish
themselves from their surroundings. I.e., they construct cognitive models
of their environment and of themselves situated within...

On Aug 19, 1:26 pm, n...@webtv.net (Rec Room) wrote:

"Self-awareness is the explicit understanding that one exists.
Furthermore, it includes the concept that one exists as an individual,
separate from other people, with private thoughts. It may also include
the understanding that other people are similarly self-aware.