When people think about smart animals, they usually think of chimpanzees, dolphins, or elephants. Crows are not usually the first animals that come to mind. Many people see them as just black birds that look for food around cities. However, scientists have found that crows are much smarter than they seem. They can solve problems, use tools, remember faces, and learn from other crows. One of the most interesting things about crows is their problem-solving ability. When crows have trouble getting food, they do not always give up. They can try different ways to solve the problem. In some experiments, crows have had to complete several steps to get food. They were able to understand what they needed to do and find a way to get the reward. This shows that crows can learn from their experiences. If one way does not work, they can try something different. This is an important skill because animals often need to find new ways to get food or stay safe in nature. Crows are also known for their use of tools. Some crows use sticks to get insects or food from small holes. They can choose an object that is useful for the job instead of using anything they find. Some crows can even change the shape of an object to make it work better. One famous example is the New Caledonian crow. These crows are known for making and using tools to find food. They can use sticks, leaves, and other objects in clever ways. Scientists are interested in this behavior because most animals do not use tools as well as these crows do. Another amazing skill of crows is their memory. Crows can remember human faces, especially the faces of people who have treated them badly. Scientists have found that crows can recognize a person even after a long time. When they see that person again, they may make warning sounds or stay away from them. This ability can help crows survive. Crows often live near people, so they may meet dangerous people more than once. Remembering who is dangerous can help them avoid the same problem in the future. Crows can also learn from other crows. For example, if one crow discovers that a certain place is dangerous, other crows may learn to avoid that place too. This means that crows do not only learn from their own experiences. They can also learn by watching other crows. Crows may look like ordinary birds, but their abilities tell us a different story. Their intelligence shows us that animals can be smart in many different ways. The next time you see a crow on the street, remember that it may be much more clever than it looks.​