Ravens can imagine being spied on, study finds

Scientists find capacity for abstraction not necessarily uniquely human in study of ravens' behaviour when hiding food

Ravens can imagine being spied upon by a hidden competitor, showing a capacity for abstraction once thought to be exclusively human, according to a new study.

Scientists have shown that the birds take extra care to hide food if they suspect their movements are being monitored by another raven, even when the second bird is not actually there.