Two birds species have attracted the attention of scientists all over the world: the keas in New Zealand and the New Caledonian crows. Way beyond known bird behaviour, these prodigies of the animal kingdom show very special skills.

The keas in New Zealand are the only parrots that live in snowy mountain areas. They like testing their brains, solving puzzles and challenging tourists: they unscrew bottle-tops, dismantle windscreen wiper blades and tear open rucksacks.

Thousands of miles northwards, in New Caledonia, other birds have talent, too.

Bird expert Gavin Hunt discovered that the crows are able to produce a whole set of tools, each designed for a particular purpose – the most intricate tool culture in the animal kingdom.

The scientists are spellbound. Are these birds following innate behaviour patterns or are they really intelligent?

The ultimate avian IQ test begins: keas vs crows. Near Vienna, Austria, a kea colony is working with levers, ropes, balls and tubes – and even operating a PC by touch screen. 

Some New Caledonian crows reveal more surprising cognitive abilities as well: They can recognise themselves in a mirror, thus demonstrating a sort of self-awareness – a capacity only few mammals have shown, such as chimpanzees, whales or elephants.

So what is the secret of their intelligence?