Corvids including ravens, crows, jays, and jackdaws are among the most intelligent birds, with welfare implications for captivity, pest control, and urbanisation.
Corvid welfare is underpinned by their exceptional cognitive abilities. Birds with the intelligence to use tools, demonstrate theory of mind, and engage in sophisticated social manipulation require cognitively complex environments to maintain welfare. In captivity, this translates to substantial enrichment requirements and complex social environments. In wild populations, pest control through cage trapping causes acute stress and suffering in species that may be capable of something approaching anticipatory emotion based on their understanding of their situation. The welfare implications of corvid intelligence challenge simplistic approaches to pest management and captive bird husbandry alike.