‘Right-Headed’ Behavior Observed Among Crows
Researchers once thought that only humans show “handedness,” but a new study indicates that crows do as well.
Biologist Gavin Hunt of the University of Auckland in New Zealand studied New Caledonian crows living on the French island in the South Pacific. The crows fashion tools from long, narrow leaves and use them to fish bugs out of plants in the rain forest. Hunt reported in the Dec. 13 issue of Nature that the crows prefer to make tools from the left side of leaves using the right side of their heads.
Hunt said his study is the first evidence beyond humans of species-wide sidedness in manipulatory skills.
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Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh III
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