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Common raven

Corvus corax

Over two billion neurons, densely packed. Ravens remember individual competitors.

Neurons

2.17 billion measured · whole brain (isotropic fractionator)

Olkowicz S et al. (2016). Birds have primate-like numbers of neurons in the forebrain. PNAS 113:7255-7260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1517131113.

In the cerebral cortex (or bird pallium)

1.2 billion (pallium)

Olkowicz S et al. (2016). Birds have primate-like numbers of neurons in the forebrain. PNAS 113:7255-7260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1517131113.

Evidence

• Ravens judge competitors based on what happened in earlier play-caching.
  Bugnyar T, Schwab C, Schloegl C, Kotrschal K, Heinrich B (2007) Ravens judge competitors through experience with play caching. Curr Biol 17(20):1804-1808. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2007.09.048.

The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness (2024) finds strong scientific support for conscious experience in mammals and birds.

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