Tech
Crows can evaluate visual info twice as fast as mammals
Publication: Ars Technica - All content
Author: Jacek Krywko
Source published: 23/10/2026, 17:32:58 UTC
Briefing created: 23/10/2026, 18:59:35 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 23/10/2026, 18:58:23 UTC.
Briefings
Research indicates crows can evaluate visual motion information twice as fast as mammals, challenging assumptions about mammalian decision-making speed. Andreas Nieder from the University of Tübingen led the study using a random-dot-motion task where crows must identify moving specks. The study revealed that crows process visual evidence more efficiently than previously thought, suggesting a different neural architecture in birds. The findings highlight how avian brains encode decisions without a neocortex, offering insights into comparative neuroscience.
Key points
- Crows process visual motion information twice as fast as mammals in a random-dot-motion task.
- Neurons in the primate neocortex gather visual evidence over time before committing to a decision.
Context
This study addresses the question of how avian brains encode decisions without a neocortex, led by Andreas Nieder at the University of Tübingen. The findings challenge existing assumptions about mammalian decision-making speed and neural organization.
Limitations
The study relies on a single random-dot-motion task with crows, limiting generalizability. Results are based on observational data from a specific study, and no additional background or context is supplied beyond the provided evidence.
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