Pigeons can recognize individual human faces and remember who treated them well or poorly for years.

A landmark 2011 study conducted by researchers at the University of Paris-Nanterre demonstrated that feral pigeons possess advanced individual recognition skills. In the experiment, two researchers of similar build and skin color, but wearing different colored lab coats, fed pigeons in a park. One researcher ignored the birds while the other actively chased them away. Even when the researchers swapped coats in subsequent sessions, the pigeons continued to avoid the individual who had been hostile.The birds did not rely on clothing cues, which are often used by other animals, but instead focused on stable facial characteristics. This ability is remarkable because pigeons and humans have not shared a long evolutionary history that would necessitate such specialized recognition. Scientists believe this trait is an adaptation to urban living, where distinguishing between a 'feeder' and a 'pest controller' is vital for survival.Further research published in the journal 'Animal Cognition' suggests that pigeons use similar neural pathways to humans when processing visual information. They can categorize objects and recognize patterns with high accuracy, even after long periods of time. This long-term memory ensures that a pigeon can remember a specific human face for several years, allowing them to navigate complex social landscapes in densely populated cities.