Parrot intelligence

[Pixiebeak]

Neuroscientists uncover secret to intelligence in parrots

Neuroscientists have identified the neural circuit that may underlay intelligence in birds, according to a new study. The discovery is an example of convergent evolution between the brains of birds and primates, with the potential to provide insight into the neural basis of human intelligence.

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[Pixiebeak]

Vertical transmission of learned signatures in a wild parrot

Learned birdsong is a widely used animal model for understanding the acquisition of human speech. Male songbirds often learn songs from adult males during sensitive periods early in life, and sing to attract mates and defend territories. In presumably ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Pixiebeak]

Means-end comprehension in four parrot species: explained by social complexity - PubMed

A comparative approach is required to investigate the evolutionary origins of cognitive abilities. In this paper, we compare the performance of four parrot species, spectacled parrotlets (Forpus conspicillatus), rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus), green-winged macaws (Ara chloroptera)...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Pixiebeak]

Parrots learn their 'names' from their parents, study shows | Cornell Chronicle

Young parrots learn their 'names' from their parents, reports a new Cornell study that also shows that vocalizations in wild parrots is a socially acquired rather than a genetically wired trait. (July 26, 2011)

news.cornell.edu

 

[Pixiebeak]

posting here as well to keep together

How Is Being Brainy Correlated To Longevity In Parrots?

Parrots apparently evolved larger brain sizes so they could solve problems that might otherwise have killed them, and this promoted their survival

www.forbes.com

 

[Pixiebeak]

Harvard study shows parrots can pass classic test of intelligence

A new study shows that African grey parrots can perform some cognitive tasks at levels beyond those of 5-year-old humans. The results not only suggest that humans aren’t the only species capable of making complex inferences, but also point to flaws in a widely used test of animal intelligence.

news.harvard.edu

 

[Pixiebeak]

"Complex social lives gave parrots big brains
Keeping tabs on various types of relationships requires more cognitive processing power"

Science | AAAS

www.science.org

Excerpts:
" Living in a complex social world—one with shifting alliances and competitors—is often cited as the key reason humans, dolphins, and spotted hyenas evolved large brains. Now, researchers say that social complexity also underlies the braininess of parrots, which have big brains relative to their body size. To understand the social lives of these birds, the scientists observed wild populations of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), a small parrot, in Argentina and captive ones in Florida. They recorded how often the birds (pictured) were seen with other individuals and how they interacted—and then analyzed the parakeets' social networks."

 

[Pixiebeak]

I find interesting ,

Are you smarter than a macaw? « the Kurzweil Library + collections

www.kurzweilai.net

Excerpt:
" The first study to systematically measure the number of neurons in the brains of more than two dozen species of birds has found that the birds that were studied consistently have more neurons packed into their small brains than those in mammalian or even primate brains of the same mass. "

 

[Pixiebeak]

I enjoyed the interview!

Talking With Birds: The Fascinating World of Avian Intelligence

Irene Pepperberg pioneered the study of bird cognition back in the 70s and still studies the cognitive and communicative abilities of grey parrots. In this conversation with APS’s Ludmila Nunes, she speaks about research on parrots’ cognitive abilities, their conservation and preservation in the...

www.psychologicalscience.org

Excerpt:
"
Irene Pepperberg
And that was a problem at the time. In the 70s, people had no idea about the complexity of the avian brain. It wasn’t until 2005 that the papers started coming out about the fact that there was actually a corticallike area in the avian brain that didn’t look anything like a human cortex, but function that way. That was in 2005."

 

[Parutti]

I love the bit about Alex and Griffin purposely giving all wrong answers. I think I know a parrot who would do that

 

[Pixiebeak]

How about in our life time , women discrimination especially in the sciences!! I remember from early career I was one of the rare women, tho it rapidly evolved to be women dominanted!
Excerpt: from above linked article
. " And it was also an incredibly sexist field. We were actually told at Harvard that there was no way they were ever going to hire a woman faculty member because we weren’t good enough. And I’m thinking, you’re giving us PhDs, and yet we’re not good enough to serve in your department. There’s something really wrong here."

 

[Parutti]

Yes! That part, especially knowing how influential and important her work has been, is so crazy!