I feel like there are so many artworks and everyday items with bird motifs. If you think about it, even the handkerchief I recently bought has a bird design on it, and you start to notice bird motifs everywhere.

I also feel that works featuring birds exist across generations and countries, whether in historical buildings or museums. For some reason, the meaning of their existence seems to be interpreted similarly, regardless of era or nationality. Perhaps it’s the desire for freedom and liberation with their wings, or the symbol of nature’s beauty with their elegant flight, vibrant colors, and clear songs, or a symbol of a sacred being—the elements of admiration must appear the same to people in any age or country.

In Japan, we have the phrase “Kachou Fuugetsu,” which expresses the elegant heart that appreciates the beautiful scenery and elements of nature. From this phrase, we can see that birds are not just a part of the scenery but have long been a special presence that gives us meaning and emotion. For example, famous works like Maruyama Okyo’s “Peacocks” (Kujaku-zu), Ito Jakuchu’s “Rooster and Hen” (Gunkei-zu), the Shosoin’s “Screen with Inscribed Feather Script” (Torige Tensho Byobu), or even the “Suzaku” (Vermilion Bird) from the Kitora Tomb, all convey an elegant, beautiful, and sacred atmosphere. And when we trace back to Japan’s “Yatagarasu” (a three-legged crow in Japanese mythology) or the falcon-headed Horus from Egyptian ruins, it feels as if the history of ancient humanity was woven together with birds. This is getting to be a big topic…

By the way, you might be wondering why I suddenly brought up “birds,” haha.

The other day, I was talking with some friends, and I heard an incredibly enviable story from a friend who loves wild birds, especially seabirds. They said, “I’m just going to go on a tour to watch black-tailed gulls overseas.” The courage to take on such a rare experience is quite enviable, but in the flow of conversation, we ended up talking about how intelligent birds actually are.

Speaking of which, a crow was rummaging through the trash at a shop front recently. It quickly understood that this was a spot where “trash (food) comes out” and kept its eye on the garbage area for a while. Also, my friend’s cockatiel can sing and talk, and it gets on their shoulder to show off how cute it is, so it’s quite a talented performer. The intelligence of birds is truly astonishing.

I’ve often seen videos of some bird species that can skillfully use tools, solve complex problems, recognize themselves in a mirror, and even plan for future events. It’s not the same as the crow from the other day, but crows are especially known for their intelligence. They’ve been observed performing actions straight out of an Aesop’s fable, like putting stones into water to raise the water level and reach a drink. Also, parrots and parakeets can not only mimic human speech but also understand the meaning of words and use them appropriately depending on the situation. I think they possess a diversity and intellect far beyond what we might imagine.

This is also known from analyses of their brain structure. Although the overall size of a bird’s brain is small, its nerve cells (neurons) are packed in at a very high density. It’s been found that this density is even higher in some intelligent birds like crows and parrots than in some primates. It’s thought that this high-density arrangement of neurons allows for efficient information processing. Furthermore, a part of the bird’s brain called the “pallium” has functions equivalent to the mammalian neocortex, and research has revealed that this pallium is responsible for complex thinking, learning, and memory.

Many intelligent birds have also evolved advanced cognitive abilities to survive in harsh environments. They use tools to get food, accurately remember where they hid food to retrieve it later, and even predict the rate of decay to consume items that will spoil faster first. They also have social skills, living in flocks and cooperating to solve problems and learn from other individuals. Just like humans and some intelligent mammals, smart birds like crows invest a long period of time in raising their young, which is considered crucial for the development of their learning and cognitive abilities. Thanks to this brain, they can fully demonstrate their skills.

When you learn that they possess such brain structures and intelligence despite their small appearance, it’s no wonder they became objects of human admiration and were seen as divine beings. But the biggest difference between birds and humans is that most birds can “fly.”

Since humanity’s 7-million-year history, flying has only been possible for a little over a century. Humans, who couldn’t fly, must have spent 7 million years gazing at birds flying freely in the sky, wishing they could join them. And as I gaze at the bird on this handkerchief, my mind goes wild with 7 million years of fantasies about these creatures who have been so close to humanity. Our close and long relationship with “birds” will continue, now and forever.

With my best wishes. (Staff Y)