Bird Brains? Think Again! Emus and Rheas Just Flexed Their Intelligence

by Jon Scaccia February 28, 2025

What if I told you that emus and rheas—those big, often goofy-looking birds—just outsmarted a science experiment designed to test their problem-solving skills? It sounds wild, but it’s true. While crows and parrots usually get all the praise for being the Einsteins of the avian world, it turns out that emus and rheas have been quietly plotting their own breakthrough.

In a new study, researchers gave emus, rheas, and ostriches a creative challenge: move a hole in a wheel to access a tasty treat. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. This task wasn’t just about brute force; it required innovation and a bit of strategy. And guess who rose to the occasion? Three clever emus and one very resourceful rhea!

A Brainy Breakthrough in Bird Cognition

Traditionally, scientists have focused on the intellectual feats of large-brained birds like crows, who are known to use tools and even recognize human faces. But emus and rheas, part of the ancient Palaeognathae bird group, have long been considered, well, not the sharpest beaks in the bird world. These flightless birds, which also include ostriches and cassowaries, are often dismissed as ‘bird-brained’ in the not-so-flattering sense.

But this study flipped the script. Researchers created a new type of puzzle that was better suited to the size and strength of these hefty birds. Instead of the usual transparent puzzle boxes with push, pull, or slide mechanisms, they designed a rotary task that required the birds to rotate a wheel to line up a hole with a food chamber.

The ‘Eureka’ Moment: When Curiosity Beats Caution

During the study, emus and rheas quickly adapted to the rotary task. They pecked, bit, and twisted the wheel until they managed to align the hole with the food chamber, securing their prize. One male rhea, dubbed ‘R1’ by the researchers, took things a step further. Not only did he master the wheel-turning trick, but he also dismantled the task entirely—twice! By biting and twisting a bolt, he freed the wheel from its base, revealing all the hidden snacks at once. Talk about thinking outside the box!

This kind of behavior showcases what scientists call ‘technical innovation,’ which essentially means using a new method or behavior to solve a problem. R1’s bolt-twisting antics weren’t just a happy accident, either. The fact that he repeated the behavior suggests he learned from his own success, demonstrating a rudimentary form of problem-solving.

Not All Birds Are Built the Same

Interestingly, while emus and rheas were showing off their cleverness, the ostriches in the study seemed a bit lost. Despite being the largest bird on the planet and having the biggest brain among the Palaeognathae, ostriches couldn’t quite crack the code. Researchers believe this might be due to their lower motivation, neophobia (fear of new things), or simply that the rotary task wasn’t well suited to their natural behaviors.

What Does This Mean for Science?

The findings challenge long-standing assumptions about animal intelligence. Traditionally, bigger brains—especially relative to body size—are linked to greater problem-solving abilities. But emus and rheas, with their relatively small brains, showed that innovation might not be all about brain size. Instead, curiosity, persistence, and perhaps a bit of luck might play a bigger role than previously thought.

The study also opens new doors for using palaeognaths as living models to understand the cognition of extinct non-avian dinosaurs. Since these birds share many traits with their ancient relatives, studying their problem-solving skills might give us fresh insights into how dinosaurs thought, interacted, and survived in their prehistoric world.

The Bigger Picture: Rethinking ‘Bird Brained’

Emus and rheas may not be ready to join a bird version of Mensa just yet, but their surprising performance hints at a broader truth: intelligence in the animal kingdom comes in many forms. From tool-using crows to wheel-turning emus, each species has its own brand of smarts adapted to its environment and lifestyle.

This study reminds us never to underestimate the underdog—or, in this case, the thunderbird. Sometimes, the biggest surprises come from the most unexpected places.

Let’s Explore Together!

What do you think? Could your pet outsmart an emu or a rhea? Have you ever seen an animal solve a problem in a clever way? What’s the coolest animal behavior you’ve witnessed?

Share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on social media! And if you loved this story, don’t forget to share it with a fellow science enthusiast. Let’s keep the curiosity rolling!

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