--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I learned about this, I was told…" description: "\"“When I learned about this, I was told that it was “instinct.” (“Instinct” continues to be the explanation of choice whenever animal behavior implies t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal-behavior_when-i-learned-about-this-i-was-told-tha_2711814.jpg" --- # When I learned about this, I was told that it was… ![“When I learned about this, I was told that it was “instinct.” (“Instinct” continues to be the explanation of choice whenever animal behavior implies too much intelligence.) Instinct, though, wouldn’t go very far in explaining how pigeons use human transportation routes to navigate. Pigeons follow…” quote by Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal-behavior_when-i-learned-about-this-i-was-told-tha_2711814.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal-behavior_when-i-learned-about-this-i-was-told-tha_2711814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal-behavior_when-i-learned-about-this-i-was-told-tha_2711814.jpg) > ““When I learned about this, I was told that it was “instinct.” (“Instinct” continues to be the explanation of choice whenever animal behavior implies too much intelligence.) Instinct, though, wouldn’t go very far in explaining how pigeons use human transportation routes to navigate. Pigeons follow highways and take particular exits, likely following many of the same landmarks as the humans driving below.”” [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pigeons use human transportation routes, showing instinct isn’t enough to explain their navigation. **In simple terms:** Pigeons follow human highways. Key Takeaway Consider animal intelligence beyond instinct. Themes animal behavior navigation instinct Mood curious analytical Type scientific observational When to use this quote - city planning - wildlife studies - educational outreach Key Concepts urban ecology cognitive science human‑animal interaction Questions to Reflect On - How do pigeons learn routes? - What does this reveal about animal intelligence? A Different Perspective The claim may oversimplify pigeon cognition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal-behavior/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) ## Related quotes > [“A year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, ending in 2009 and published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science (Elsevier), showed that aggressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-custo/a-year-long-study-by-the-university-of-pennsylvania-ending-in-2009/) Edward Custo > [“I would come to learn that the alpha female can read every single bit of food you put into your body. Make a choice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-would-come-to-learn-that-the-alpha-female-can-read-every-single-bit/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“There is not a moral to every story in animal behavior. 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