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Updated: May 5, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
Published on: November 11, 2011
Behavioural ecology: tool manufacture by naive juvenile crows
Ben Kenward1, Alex A S Weir, Christian Rutz
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Abstract:
New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) are the most prolific avian tool-users. Regional variation in the shape of their tools may be the result of cumulative cultural evolution--a phenomenon considered to be a hallmark of human culture. Here we show that hand-raised juvenile New Caledonian crows spontaneously manufacture and use tools, without any contact with adults of their species or any prior demonstration by humans. Our finding is a crucial step towards producing informed models of cultural transmission in this species, and in animals in general.
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