Kaeli Swift

In this captivating discussion, Dr. Kaeli Swift, a wildlife researcher and corvid specialist, reveals the astonishing funeral behaviors of crows as they gather to mourn their fallen companions. She shares her insights on the complex social structures and cognitive abilities of these intelligent birds. Listeners will be fascinated by the emotional depth of crows, their mourning rituals, and the unexpected connections between humans and these avian creatures. Swift’s passion for her work shines through, inspiring a greater appreciation for the natural world.

Wildlife researcher Kaeli Swift dives into the fascinating world of crows and their captivating rituals surrounding death. She highlights how crows engage in behaviors that reflect emotional responses similar to humans, expanding our understanding of mortality. Further, Swift discusses the emerging field of comparative thanatology, examining how various species, including elephants and bees, approach death. Her insights prompt profound questions about grief and social learning in the animal kingdom, revealing what we might learn from these intelligent birds.

Kaeli Swift, a lecturer at the University of Washington, dives into the fascinating world of crows. She explains their remarkable cognitive abilities and how they can recognize human faces, showcasing their intelligence. The discussion uncovers their social behaviors, including unique funerals that reveal their understanding of death. Kaeli shares stories about how crows communicate threats and learn to associate locations with danger, all while highlighting their tool-making skills. Get ready to rethink these misunderstood birds!