The self-proclaimed superior intellect of the human species took another hit when an African grey parrot named Griffin, outperformed or matched 21 Harvard undergraduates in a battery of memory tests. The tests were a complex version of the shell game that measures the brain’s ability to remember items no longer in view as they change location. This cognitive system known as “visual working memory”, is considered one of the foundations for intelligent behaviour. Participants had to track which object was under which cup up to 4 x and Griffin performed as well as, or slightly better than, the undergrads on 12 of 14 tests.
Put that in your cracker …