A British garden bird has been found to possess the ability to solve problems and mimic human voices, according to a professor's research.
The cognitive abilities of several common species have been observed for centuries, but only recently have they been scientifically validated.
Birds, which evolved from two-legged theropods billions of years ago, are closely related to dinosaurs.
Now, certain birds, particularly corvids - members of the crow family - have been described by a professor as being 'as clever as chimpanzees'.
One such corvid, the vibrant Eurasian jay, has been recorded mimicking human voices, among other impressively intelligent behaviours, reports the Express.
Eurasian jays, with their pink plumage and smattering of blue feathers, are slightly smaller than magpies. You may have spotted one in your garden, a park or the countryside.
Their adaptability to both urban and rural environments is largely due to their intelligence and memory skills, which aid their survival.
Professor Nicky Clayton from the Department of Psychology at Cambridge University has conducted 'groundbreaking research' into the cognitive abilities of jays and other corvids, yielding remarkable results.
The university characterised these birds as 'a surprisingly clever corvid with the ability to mimic human voices'.
The study also found other members of the crow family, including jackdaws, ravens and magpies, exhibit high levels of intelligence and strong cognitive abilities.
Jays have been found to possess problem-solving abilities comparable to chimpanzees, according to Professor Nicky Clayton from Cambridge University. The university highlighted their intelligence by sharing a video on YouTube demonstrating the birds' remarkable capabilities.
In the footage, Professor Clayton discusses 'vocal frolicking' and observes how jays will 'share food with a partner', even signalling when they desire a different type of food. These birds also exhibit the skill to 'hide food, store it and remember over long periods of time where they've hidden it', she explained.
The professor noted in the video that research with jays has revealed 'very complex secretive songs like a series of whispers'.
She added: "Jays are virtuoso mimics and they incorporate all kinds of interesting sounds into their songs including human speech. Romero (the jay in the video) for example will sing 'I love you' on a good day."
Cambridge University has affectionately dubbed jays 'feathered apes', acknowledging their intelligence and enduring memories, traits previously thought to be exclusive to humans and chimpanzees before this groundbreaking corvid research.
This study conducted by Cambridge University provided the first evidence of self-control, memory, and intelligence in these avian species.