The birds are definitely way smarter than what they are generally perceived as! :)

http://www.pbs.org/lifeofbirds/brain/index.html

More definite evidence:

"Bird brains don't deserve the bad rap they get. Like us, songbirds are among the only animals that can learn new and complex vocal skills. Mental time travel isn't beyond them, and even mastering grammar-like patterns could be part of their cognitive repertoire! This week, three top bird brain researchers leave their aviaries and join Natasha Mitchell to discuss the unique heads of our flying feathered friends."

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2006/1755306.htm
(Podcast with transcript)