CROWS are as intelligent as children and far less hassle to look after, it has been claimed.

Researchers found that crows’ reasoning ability was equal to that of small children, but that crows did not demand repeated viewings of Madagascar 2.

Professor Henry Brubaker said: “If you’re thinking about starting a family, get a crow instead.

“For example, it’s considered ‘inhumane’ to make your kids live in the garden, but with a crow it’s fine. Similarly, you can let a crow leave the house through a window and come back hours later of its own accord.

“Crows have a badass, take-no-shit attitude whereas kids cry all the time about nothing.”