Cognitive Ethology is a branch of ethology that focuses on understanding the mental processes of animals in their natural environments. It examines how animals think, learn, and make decisions, emphasizing their cognitive abilities rather than just their behaviors. This field combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, and ecology to explore the complexities of animal minds. Researchers in cognitive ethology study various species, including primates, birds, and marine mammals, to uncover how they perceive their surroundings and interact with each other. By observing animals in the wild, scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of their intelligence, problem-solving skills, and social behaviors.