Smart Crows in cities
The author of "A Soft Spot for Crows" argues that the fact that crows can thrive in urban environments is an example of their intelligence. The reasoning behind this argument is that crows are able to adapt to changing environments and learn from experience, which are characteristics of intelligent animals.
One detail that supports the author's argument is the observation that crows are able to use tools to obtain food. The author notes that crows in urban areas have been seen using cars to crack nuts and using traffic lights to drop nuts onto the road and then wait for cars to run over them and crack them open. This ability to use tools in novel ways to solve problems demonstrates a high level of intelligence and adaptability.
Another detail that supports the author's argument is the fact that crows are able to recognize individual humans and remember their faces. The author notes that crows in urban areas have been known to attack people who they perceive as a threat or who have previously harmed them. This ability to remember individuals and respond to them accordingly suggests a high level of cognitive processing and memory.
In conclusion, the author's argument that crows living in urban areas is an example of their intelligence is sound, as they demonstrate the ability to adapt to new environments and use tools in novel ways, as well as recognize and respond to individual humans.