Pigeons: Secret Savants

Two Japanese studies have found that the intelligence of the average pigeon is equivalent to more than that of a 3 year-old child. Researchers discovered that the birds can tell the difference between real and videotaped images and between the work of different artists. Britain's Telegraph describes the observations thusly:

When shown a Picasso, the pigeon could obtain food by pecking but when it was a Monet, pecking had no effect. Eventually, the pigeons only pecked when shown a Picasso. They were then able to correctly discriminate between works by the artists not previously shown.

Get that last part? The pigeons could even tell between a Monet and a Picasso when they had never seen the paintings before. The pigeons are smart! You think they're just pecking at cheeto crumbs on the street but they're probably studying our every move, biding their time until their empire can rise up and outsmart us at Jeopardy. This is why education is so important, kids. Stay in school!

Read about these unassuming geniuses here.
And if you think I'm wrong in worrying about pigeons taking over, watch this. It will scare you straight. (Warning: I think there might be a naughty word or two in there, as well as some adult themes, so if you have small children, cover their ears)