Researchers report that cows can recognize familiar human faces and link them to the corresponding person’s voice. In a study published in PLOS One, Océane Amichaud of INRAE in Nouzilly, France, and colleagues tested cows’ responses to human faces and sounds. The study finds that cows show a visual preference for new human faces over a familiar face, indicating they discriminate between individuals they have encountered before. The researchers also report that cows can match a known handler’s voice to that handler’s face, suggesting cross-modal recognition between visual and auditory cues. The findings add to evidence that domesticated animals can perceive and remember human individuals, not only through behavioral training but also via recognition of specific human characteristics. While the outlets differ in emphasis, both sources describe the same core results: cows distinguish familiar from new human faces and can associate a familiar voice with the correct person. The study is presented as open-access in PLOS One.