Early Roots: The phrase evolved from the earlier term "bird-witted," which dates back to around 1600. This older term was used to describe someone easily distracted or "flighty".
Modern Slang: The exact compound "birdbrain" (or "bird-brain") was officially recorded in the English lexicon as a slang term for a stupid person in 1936.
The Misnomer: While the idiom relies on the idea that birds have small, inadequate brains, research in avian cognition has upended this cliché. Studies show that some bird species (such as corvids and parrots) possess unusually high neuron densities, allowing them to use tools, solve complex problems, and display planning skills previously thought unique to primates"
From Vanderbilt:
"The macaw has a brain the size of an unshelled walnut, while the macaque monkey has a brain about the size of a lemon. Nevertheless, the macaw has more neurons in its forebrain – the portion of the brain associated with intelligent behavior – than the macaque.
That is one of the surprising results of the first study to systematically measure the number of neurons in the brains of more than two dozen species of birds ranging in size from the tiny zebra finch to the six-foot-tall emu, which found that they consistently have more neurons packed into their small brains than are stuffed into mammalian or even primate brains of the same mass."
"Unlike mammals, birds lack a cerebral cortex. Instead, they rely on a specialized set of brain nuclei dedicated solely to song learning and production:
The HVC (High Vocal Center): Encodes the sequence of sounds and acts as the brain's internal metronome. Once initiated, neural patterns play through to completion "like falling dominoes".
The RA (Robust Nucleus of the Arcopallium): Receives the sequence from the HVC and translates it into direct signals for the vocal muscles.
The Learning Circuit (AFP): A pathway called the Anterior Forebrain Pathway helps juvenile birds compare their immature practice songs to their father's example. "
From MIT:
"The songbird's creative, trial-and-error type of learning provides an ideal model for studying similar processes in humans, such as how a baby's babble takes on the conversational cadences and recognizable syllables of mama and papa. Likewise, the brain pathways involved in birdsong have a human counterpart, the poorly understood basal ganglia circuit, so birds may have something to teach us about our own brains and what we learn may eventually apply to human diseases that affect motor abilities, such as Parkinson's disease."
I had my monthly pedicure today. Had my toe nails painted American Flag Blue. Now I'm praying that it doesn't peel ... and I don't get algae on my toes.
This is such a pleasant end to a difficult week. For whatever reason, this week seemed more than usually fraught. The chickens are a perfect antidote. Thanks Joyce! I wish you a good weekend!
Between the chickens and the carton of Ben & Jerry's Reflecting Pool (if that isn't a thing, it should be!), you made my evening. Have a lovely weekend!
Hen I'm feeling down and discouraged, and having an eggsistential crisis, sometimes I just have say cluck it and take comfort in the chicken little things. Thanks for this post!
Great advice from the chickens. Have a peaceful weekend.
They're so smart, right? No clue where the whole bird brain thing comes from.
From Google AI:
Early Roots: The phrase evolved from the earlier term "bird-witted," which dates back to around 1600. This older term was used to describe someone easily distracted or "flighty".
Modern Slang: The exact compound "birdbrain" (or "bird-brain") was officially recorded in the English lexicon as a slang term for a stupid person in 1936.
The Misnomer: While the idiom relies on the idea that birds have small, inadequate brains, research in avian cognition has upended this cliché. Studies show that some bird species (such as corvids and parrots) possess unusually high neuron densities, allowing them to use tools, solve complex problems, and display planning skills previously thought unique to primates"
From Vanderbilt:
"The macaw has a brain the size of an unshelled walnut, while the macaque monkey has a brain about the size of a lemon. Nevertheless, the macaw has more neurons in its forebrain – the portion of the brain associated with intelligent behavior – than the macaque.
That is one of the surprising results of the first study to systematically measure the number of neurons in the brains of more than two dozen species of birds ranging in size from the tiny zebra finch to the six-foot-tall emu, which found that they consistently have more neurons packed into their small brains than are stuffed into mammalian or even primate brains of the same mass."
.https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2016/06/13/study-gives-new-meaning-to-the-term-bird-brain/.
From Google AI:
"Unlike mammals, birds lack a cerebral cortex. Instead, they rely on a specialized set of brain nuclei dedicated solely to song learning and production:
The HVC (High Vocal Center): Encodes the sequence of sounds and acts as the brain's internal metronome. Once initiated, neural patterns play through to completion "like falling dominoes".
The RA (Robust Nucleus of the Arcopallium): Receives the sequence from the HVC and translates it into direct signals for the vocal muscles.
The Learning Circuit (AFP): A pathway called the Anterior Forebrain Pathway helps juvenile birds compare their immature practice songs to their father's example. "
From MIT:
"The songbird's creative, trial-and-error type of learning provides an ideal model for studying similar processes in humans, such as how a baby's babble takes on the conversational cadences and recognizable syllables of mama and papa. Likewise, the brain pathways involved in birdsong have a human counterpart, the poorly understood basal ganglia circuit, so birds may have something to teach us about our own brains and what we learn may eventually apply to human diseases that affect motor abilities, such as Parkinson's disease."
https://news.mit.edu/2005/birds-brains-reveal-source-songs
Article today in Guardian -
A little bird told her: scientist wins $100,000 prize for decoding birdsong
Good piece of work.
Jealosy, obviously.....
I love "When all else fails, act silly with your bestie." Words to live by.
Like Nina Tottenberg said, “Dance like nobody”s watching!
Perfect for this night!
This is exactly what I needed! Thank you ❤️
I had my monthly pedicure today. Had my toe nails painted American Flag Blue. Now I'm praying that it doesn't peel ... and I don't get algae on my toes.
OMG. I'm just dead right here. Too funny.
Watch out for Aunt Tifa!
😂😂😂
So funny!
hahahahahaha
(I hope so... or not!... too)
😂😂😂😂
I laughed outloud on your pedicure story!
The illustration of each point with the appropriate pic is so elegant!. Send it along to SCOTUS. Those folks need to come down to earth.
I love seeing your chickens. I'm looking forward to the day when we can have more chickens and less Trump. Won't that be a great day!
More chickens, Less Trump would definitely be my slogan if I was running for office!
Some of the best advice I've seen! Our cats add, take frequent naps as needed, and don't forget to eat as often as you can get food!
Yes, I wanted to include the nap advice, but that would have put me at six!
I've learned from my cats to take naps and eat less, more often!
Ah, yes! My fine feline friend, Heidi, reminds me of that almost daily...
Wonderful as always. Love those chickens! A delightful way to end the week! Thank you!
This is such a pleasant end to a difficult week. For whatever reason, this week seemed more than usually fraught. The chickens are a perfect antidote. Thanks Joyce! I wish you a good weekend!
It really did. A long week.
Between the chickens and the carton of Ben & Jerry's Reflecting Pool (if that isn't a thing, it should be!), you made my evening. Have a lovely weekend!
The carton of Ben & Jerry's Reflecting Pool is definitely making me smile and laugh. Thank you!! Love your work, sharing, playing, and heart!!
Yes, Ben & Jerry's ice cream hit the spot!
Joyce, I am nominating you and the chickens for a Nobel.
Oooh I like it - let's make it a new Nobel - what name?
The Nobel Peck Prize?
You, chickens and a kitty just made my evening. Many thanks!
I appreciate the wisdom. Cluck cluck
The last photo....now that made me laugh!
Pickles is such a weirdo. She loves mugging for the camera with me.
The joy your bring with your chickens to the rest of us is immeasurable. Go Pickles!
Just what I needed this evening. Peace and love to you Joyce. Rest easy.
Hen I'm feeling down and discouraged, and having an eggsistential crisis, sometimes I just have say cluck it and take comfort in the chicken little things. Thanks for this post!
Funny … 😎👍🐓
Excellent—thanks!
Your chickens are so beautiful, Joyce! Thank you for sharing your photos of them with us.