Betty the Crow

In this movie, shot in 2002, you can see Betty the New Caledonian crow first use a straight piece of wire but seems to realise after a few attempts that it would be impossible. Incredibly she then fashions the end of the wire into a hook shape by wedging it into a crack and bending it.
Here's some stills from the movie, capturing some key moments:

Betty the Crow

There's an interview with Alex Kacelnik about Betty in this week's New Scientist or you can visit

• Behavioural Ecology Research Group


• Early report on Betty at New Scientist online magazine