Louis Lefebvre

Louis Lefebvre is Professor Emeritus of Biology at McGill University and Associate Researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). He is an internationally recognized expert in animal behavior and one of the world’s leading specialists in bird intelligence. His pioneering work revolutionized the field, developing methods to measure avian cognition that were later applied to primates.

Throughout his career, Lefebvre has explored the role of innovation in animal intelligence, studying remarkable behaviors in birds—from crows crafting tools to finches using objects to access food. His research has contributed to a deeper understanding of how intelligence evolves across species.

In addition to his scientific career, Lefebvre is also a novelist, with four published novels, two of which were finalists for the Governor General’s Awards. He was awarded the Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire Prize by the French Society for the Study of Animal Behavior in recognition of his contributions to the field.