Pigeons are capable of switching between two tasks as quickly as humans — and even more quickly in certain situations. These are the findings of biopsychologists who had performed the same behavioural experiments to test birds and humans. The authors hypothesize that the cause of the slight multitasking advantage in birds is their higher neuronal density.
Dr Sara Letzner and Prof Dr Dr h. c. Onur Güntürkün from Ruhr-Universität Bochum published the results in the journal “Current Biology” in collaboration with Prof Dr Christian Beste from the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at Technische Universität Dresden.
“For a long time, scientists used to believe the mammalian cerebral cortex to be the anatomical cause of cognitive ability; it is made up of six cortical layers,” says Sara Letzner. In birds, however, such a structure does not exist. “That means the structure of the mammalian cortex cannot be decisive for complex cognitive functions such as multitasking,” continues Letzner.
Six times as densely packed
The pallium of birds does not have any layers comparable to those in the human cortex; but its neurons are more densely packed than in the cerebral cortex in humans: pigeons, for example, have six times as many nerve cells as humans per cubic millimetre of brain. Consequently, the average distance between two neurons in pigeons is fifty per cent shorter than in humans. As the speed at which nerve cell signals are transmitted is the same in both birds and mammals, researchers had assumed that information is processed more quickly in avian brains than in mammalian brains.
They tested this hypothesis using a multitasking exercise that was performed by 15 humans and 12 pigeons. In the experiment, both the human and the avian participants had to stop a task in progress and switch over to an alternative task as quickly as possible. The switchover to the alternative task was performed either at the same time the first task was stopped, or it was delayed by 300 milliseconds.
What makes pigeons faster
In the first case, real multitasking takes place, which means that two processes are running simultaneously in the brain, those being the stopping of the first task and switching over to the alternative task. Pigeons and humans both slow down by the same amount under double stress.
In the second case — switching over to the alternative task after a short delay — the processes in the brain undergo a change: the two processes, namely stopping the first task and switching over to the second task, alternate like in a ping-pong game. For this purpose, the groups of nerve cells that control both processes have to continuously send signals back and forth. The researchers had assumed that pigeons must have an advantage over humans because of their greater nerve cell density. They were, in fact, 250 milliseconds faster than humans.
“Researchers in the field of cognitive neuroscience have been wondering for a long time how it was possible that some birds, such as crows or parrots, are smart enough to rival chimpanzees in terms of cognitive abilities, despite their small brains and their lack of a cortex,” says Letzner. The results of the current study provide a partial answer to this mystery: it is precisely because of their small brain that is densely packed with nerve cells that birds are able to reduce the processing time in tasks that require rapid interaction between different groups of neurons.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
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It’s a hobby that’s a little out of the ordinary, but those who race pigeons love it.
The Calgary Racing Pigeon Club was established in 1904 and today has upwards of 30 members.
President David McKop says member numbers are down from a few years ago because not as many young people are getting involved.
McKop says he grew up with pigeons and has been around them now for over 60 years.
He started in Zimbabwe watching his father’s passion and when he moved to England he continued raising homing pigeons and that extended to Canada in 2000 when he moved here.
“You’d be surprised that pigeon racing – you’ll find it everywhere, there’s no country that doesn’t have pigeon racing”, said McKop.
He now has around 100 pigeons that he’s training for a weekend race.
The birds are released from Field, B.C. and are judged on the time it takes them to get back to his northwest Calgary home.
“They’re probably one of the smartest birds in the world eh, they get boxed up in crates and taken 100s of miles in a trailer and let out there and they fly back,” McKop said.
Timing gear can cost upwards of $800 and good homing pigeons can range in price from $50 to $1000.
Many racers have a ‘loft’ to house their pigeons right in their back yard.
Alisar Alnahawi, 14, is learning about racing pigeons from her dad.
“Pigeons are sweet, people I know when I mention my pigeons they’re like ‘oh street rats you know’, but they aren’t street rats they’re amazing”, said Alnahawi.
The Calgary Racing Pigeon Club is hopeful more teens like Alnahawi get involved in the hobby so Calgary’s club can continue for another century.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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The 55-year-old Iron Mike, who won’t face any criminal charges for his recent scrap with an airline passenger, befriended the legend during the height of his own iconic boxing career.
Now it appears that the former world champion has started a friendship with the late star’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh.
The youngster, 21, is already on his way to creating his own legacy inside the ring.
He holds a 5-0 professional record after his latest victory in Las Vegas.
Now it looks like he has been picking the brains of Tyson in order to further help him in his own quest for glory by paying a visit to the Baddest Man on the Planet’s home.
But it was not only boxing advice that Tyson had in store for the prospect.
During the visit, the much-publicised animal lover decided to let Walsh meet his famous pigeon collection.
And Walsh shared footage of him being taught how to hold the birds by Tyson inside the bird loft at his house.
The American has been smitten with the birds ever since he was nine.
Back in 2020 he posted a video of himself relaxing and feeding his pets ahead of his exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr.
He has always had a love for pigeons, and revealed that it was the honour of one that drew his first punch as a ten-year-old.
He said in the past: “The guy ripped the head off my pigeon. This was the first thing I ever loved in my life, the pigeon.
“That was the first time I threw a punch.
“I have loved pigeons since I was nine. They were my escape.
“I was fat and ugly. Kids teased me all the time. The only joy I had was pigeons.”
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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RENO, Nev. – Last month, a couple of pigeons strutting through Las Vegas wearing cowboy hats captured the attention of the nation. They also apparently captured the attention of some Reno copy cats.
In a tweet posted Wednesday morning, Reno City Manager Sabra Newby reported finding a pigeon in northeast Reno wearing a tiny sombrero.
“I look out the window and there’s a bunch of pigeons and one of them has a hat on,” Newby said. “Who knew. In Reno now we have pigeons with hats.”
Newby had been on a ride-along with the city’s parking enforcement team checking on abandoned vehicles when she saw the poor bird.
The Las Vegas pigeons became famous last month after a Facebook video went viral. Two of the birds earned the nicknames Coolamity Jane and Cluck Norris, inspiring a parody country song and entertaining social media commentary, as well as national media attention.
But Newby said she was dismayed that someone in Reno would harm pigeons here. One of the behatted pigeons in Las Vegas recently died.
“It’s not really that funny,” Newby said. “Because somebody captured the pigeon and ostensibly glued it on. We don’t support that kind of activity.”
Newby said she reported the pigeon to Washoe County Regional Animal Control Services.
“Reno cares about our animals,” she said in a written statement. “They need protection and don’t need to become a punchline.”
While Washoe County Regional Animal Control has no jurisdiction over wild animals, the director urged people not to glue things to pigeons.
“Washoe County Regional Animal Services finds this practice of affixing any objects on wild birds disturbing, inhumane and strongly discourages this type of behavior,” agency director Shyanne Schull said in a statement.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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Greg Pigeon called a television station and told them: “That’s my crow.”
And a peculiar story in the British Columbia news got even more peculiar.
The interesting tale involves a Cariboo resident, a young guy on a bike and a crow “attack” in Vancouver, a video on the Internet, multiple news reports about that video, and now, contradictory stories about where this simultaneously pesky and charming bird named, Crow, with no fear of people and an orange zip tie around its foot, really came from.
According to reports, East Vancouver locals say the crow in question fell from its nest as a baby and people there nursed it back to health.
The crow stuck around and now it’s like their friendly neighbourhood crow, a sort of precocious feathered mascot of the community, hanging out at racetracks and soccer fields, entertaining children, flying around and brazenly pecking items from people’s pockets.
The bird apparently goes by many names down in the Lower Mainland: Crackers, Mr. Jack, Canuck and Jerome.
An East Vancouver resident who was featured in the reports calls him Crow. This is what Pigeon, a 108 Mile Ranch resident, calls him, too.
But Crow was raised in the Cariboo, Pigeon claims, not in Vancouver.
The way Pigeon tells it, hefound Crow in the spring at his parent’s farm near Clinton. The baby bird fell from its nest and Pigeon’s son, Steven, took care of it when the family brought it home to 108 Mile Ranch, and raised it like a pet.
“It learned how to fly eventually,” says Pigeon. “It flew around our house and visited our neighbours and they got to know him.
“He just kept coming back. Eventually, he disappeared.”
Before the bird went missing around August, Pigeon tied an orange zip tie around its left foot to distinguish it from other crows in his yard.
Pigeon says there’s no doubt the crow on the news is the same crow. After all, he asks, what are the chances there are two strikingly social, heart-winning crows flying around B.C. – with the same colour zip tie on the same foot?
Reached via e-mail and asked about the likelihood of Pigeon’s crow being the same crow in the Vancouver news reports, Tom Dickinson, Dean of Science at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, says the orange strap on the bird’s leg is “a perfect match” and he suspects it is the same bird and Pigeon’s story is true.
“Only two ways to get there: fly or hitch hike,” explains Dickinson, whose research includes bird communities in high elevation forests.
“It isn’t that far to go, especially if there is favourable wind and weather. But given how tame this [crow] looks, it is at least equally likely he was foraging inside a truck bed (or the like) and maybe didn’t get out before the door slammed and found himself in Kerrisdale.”
Pigeon shares a similar theory. But no matter how the bird made its way south, he just hopes Crow eventually makes his way back up to the Cariboo, and hopes no one hurts him in the meantime.
“If he seems to be a pain the butt, the main thing is ignore him and he’ll find someone else. If you feed him, he’s going to continue staying around.
“If he’s in 100 Mile, let me know,” Pigeon adds.
“He’s more than welcome around our house. We enjoyed having him around.”
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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Today, a Vancouver Island woman got the feathered reunion she’s been waiting six weeks for.
Sandy Bird lost her pet pigeon, Tweetie, in October, when the bird flew away, as it does, and landed on the wrong truck. The truck drove away and Bird was left without her pigeon.
To Bird’s distress, her bird wound up in a wildlife centre. The centre’s rules prohibited staff from releasing the pigeon back into Bird’s care. She tried to get her pigeon back, but instead it was released into the wild. The centre couldn’t tell Bird where or when Tweetie was being released.
This morning, Tweetie was spotted in a mall parking lot.
Bird said she looked for hours since the break of dawn for the bird in shopping centres and parks throughout Nanaimo.
Staff at a Chemainus office were keeping an eye out for the bird. Office worker Anita Morrill saw Tweetie through the window.
“He jumped down as soon as I saw him,” she said.
Staff called Sandy and told her to come collect her pet pigeon.
Bird said the pigeon is like a son to her.
“I am the happiest woman in the world. If I won the lotto I couldn’t be happier,” she said.
Bird said she would like to thank the viewers and listeners of CHEK TV and CBC radio.
“They’re the reason and you’re the reason he’s back,” said Bird.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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