Feathered friends not so bird-brained after all

CROWS and falcons are top of the pecking order in the league table of bird-brains, it was revealed today. Next come hawks, followed by woodpeckers and herons.

The world's first bird IQ index was compiled by Dr Louis Lefebvre from 2,000 recorded observations of unusual feeding behaviour by amateur ornithologists since 1930.

They show not all birds deserve their reputation as featherweight thinkers.