Crows (Corvus corone ssp.) check contingency in a mirror yet fail the mirror-mark test

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Cognitive Ethology
• Comparative Psychology

Background:

• Mirror self-recognition (MSR) is a rare cognitive ability, observed in great apes, dolphins, elephants, and Eurasian magpies.
• Previous studies on MSR in corvids have yielded inconclusive results, necessitating further investigation in related species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate mirror reflection responses and MSR capabilities in carrion crows (Corvus corone corone) and hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix).
• To determine if these crow species exhibit self-directed behaviors or concept of self when exposed to mirrors.

Main Methods:

• Crows were exposed to mirrors to observe their behavioral responses, including social interactions and self-directed actions.
• A subsequent mark test was conducted to assess mirror-guided self-recognition by evaluating mark-directed behavior.

Main Results:

• Crows displayed sustained interest in their reflections and engaged in immediate mirror investigation, bypassing social behaviors.
• Despite significant interest, no crows exhibited mirror-guided self-directed behaviors or mark-directed actions in the mark test.
• The lack of mark-directed behavior was not due to disinterest in the mirror or the mark itself.

Conclusions:

• Carrion and hooded crows do not appear to demonstrate mirror self-recognition (MSR).
• Findings suggest these crow species may lack a concept of self, or require alternative methods for assessing self-awareness in avian species.