Fay, who led the study at the University of Bristol, said:  

"A large body of research shows that crows and parrots are effective problem-solvers, and while scientists have recently taken interest in other birds like gulls and birds of prey, all of these birds belong to the same phylogenetic group, neognathae. 

"The problem? The more we study the same species repeatedly, the more we create an 'echo chamber' of knowledge and create a false impression that other species are less 'intelligent' but in reality they haven't been studied to the same level". 

Discussing the research, Fay states: 

"We classify palaeognath innovation as low level or simplistic, and it is certainly not as complex as the innovation we see in crows and parrots. However, it is still a very important finding.  

"There were no reports of technical innovation in palaeognaths before our study and there was a prevailing views that they are 'dumb' birds. Our research suggests that is not true and that technical innovation may have evolved far earlier in birds than previously thought.