In fact, they might be on a higher level than us because they are not cruel and wicked like humans.
Nor are they usually greedy, egotistical, power hungry or envious. They are loving and devoted. They too can feel sadness and happiness and enjoy play and have fun. They are undoubtedly intelligent and possess senses much stronger than ours, in fact senses we no longer have.
Of course, one must define what a soul is. Generally I think it's thought of as that non-material part of us that is a spiritual personality or essence that may move on to another place after death of the physical body.
I don't see why animals and birds should not follow the same pattern as us. In fact if there was no bird and animal life in heaven it could be a pretty dull place.
So! What would you like to come back as? Things are not going too well for animals at present in this world. You wouldn't want to be anything that's edible, I think. And man is so intent on killing wildlife around the planet you probably won't last long anyway. Even protected species are not safe because their parts are worth more on the black market.
Personally I would like to see humans who have been unkind to birds or animals reincarnated into something like battery hens or cattle and sheep, or maybe poor creatures in a vivisection laboratory. Or dogs in Korea, caged bears in China, whales or dolphins in Japan or bulls in Spain.
Presumably as humans in another life they might be more kind to animals.
