Preconceived ideas just have to stand up. Work recently published in the journal Current biology confirm that the brain of birds works differently from ours. And above all that it is super efficient in processing information while consuming very little energy. By studying the brain of pigeons, by imaging techniques, these researchers from the University of the Ruhr, in Germany, have indeed calculated that a bird’s brain consumes three times less glucose than that of mammals whereas it contains so many neurons.
The brain of birds can contain as many neurons as that of a mammal, even if it is smaller because, in birds, these neurons are just smaller and arranged differently. A few years ago, an American study demonstrated that this is what allows a parrot’s brain (thus the size of a walnut) to have more neurons than that of a macaque monkey (which, he is the size of a lemon). This density of gray matter explains the astonishing cognitive abilities of birds, which are capable, despite their small brains, of orienting themselves very well, of having strategies for seeking or hiding food. You may have heard of those cockatoos in Australia that manage to open trash cans, in the streets, even if the lid is tightly closed, and even if the owner has put a brick on it. So, we can say it: having a bird’s brain is quite gratifying in the end.
If a bird’s brain manages to perform as well with three times less energy, this could be explained both by the very tight arrangement of their neurons and by the fact that their body temperature is higher. In birds, it is between 38°C and 42°C.
The mechanism is not completely elucidated, but all this could inspire research in artificial intelligence. These high-performance bird brains invite us to humility. Remember that our cohabitation with them is not brilliant. The NGO Birdlife has just recalled this in its latest report. Currently, nearly half of bird species are in decline worldwide. Due in particular to urbanization, the loss of their habitats, and the toxicity of pesticides.