Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Biologists study New Caledonian crows

Posted at 17:47 on 14 October, 2012 UTC

Biologists have figured out how the New Caledonian crow uses tools do find food.

The native bird uses its beak to craft complex tools from sticks, leaves and other material and then inserts them into deadwood or vegetation to fish out insects and other food

Professor Graham Martin from the University of Birmingham, says there are other non-primates that can use tools, but the New Caledonian crow is special.

“Two really key things. One way of holding the tool, in the bill tip and propping it so it’s firm. And the other one is, its broad binocular field which enables them to see exactly where they’re placing the tip of the tool as well.”