Some animals tend to behave pretty much like humans, and stealing food is one of the things that lots of birds and animals do.
The research claims that those birds who used to steal food from other birds tend to hide their own supplies better.
Let's find out more.
Criminal birds
Scrub jays, known for stealing food from other birds, exhibit clever behavior by hiding their own caches more discreetly, according to researchers from Cambridge University.
In an experiment, jays that had previously stolen food were observed retrieving it and relocating it after the onlooker had left.
This suggests that these jays possess advanced cognitive abilities.
A curious study
The study aimed to explore animal cognition, sparked by the researchers' observations of jays hiding food in different places when other jays were present.
In the experiment, jays were given wax moth larvae to bury, and those watched while hiding their treats were more likely to rehide them later.
The findings challenge assumptions about animal cognition and indicate the possibility of mental time travel and understanding the intentions of other individuals.
Experts agree that the study showcases higher-level mental processes in birds.
