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Crows Recognize Human Faces: Study

Birds distinguished friendly and unfriendly masks, squawked at perceived foe

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 26, 2008 10:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – If you ever offend a crow, don’t expect it to forgive and forget. University of Washington researchers found that the birds recognize human faces long after an encounter, the New York Times reports. Participants wore specific masks when they captured campus crows; after their release, the birds angrily scolded those in the “dangerous” masks, leaving people in other masks alone.

“It was clear they weren’t upset about something in general. They were upset with me,” said a mask-wearing volunteer. Why are the birds so aware of our faces? It might be linkedto  their ability to distinguish among each other, offering an evolutionary advantage, says one expert. It lets them “survive with us—and take advantage of us—in a much safer, more effective way.”

Crows can identify different human faces, a study found.
Crows can identify different human faces, a study found.   (Shutterstock)
Crows' capacity to distinguish between humans may stem from their ability to recognize each other.
Crows' capacity to distinguish between humans may stem from their ability to recognize each other.   (Shutterstock)
Crows reacted angrily to masks deemed dangerous.
Crows reacted angrily to masks deemed "dangerous."   (Shutterstock)
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