parrots vs humans

[DebsFlock]

Good luck to Mishka!

Are there really species-specific vocabulary size records? If so I'll have to see what the record is for a GCC. Scooter is quite chatty for a bird not known for talking.

 

[Alisana]

I think it really depends on how you define intelligence...

"Intelligence has been defined in many different ways- including, but not limited to abstract thought, understanding, self-awareness, communication, reasoning, learning, having emotional knowledge, retaining, planning, and problem solving" Source: Intelligence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you look at parrots, you can see them analysing things, working out solutions (hmm, how do I convince my human pet to bring me that nut?; or how do I get out of this cage?), understanding (oh, if I do this, x happens, if I do y, z happens), self-awareness (you see parrots refer to themselves, an African Grey I read about "Thumper go work?" when she saw her owner getting ready for work), communication (they can communicate in our language and their own - we only bother communicating with our language and don't bother with theirs!), reasoning (uhh... depends on the birds, macaws are VERY demanding, lol, but African Greys can reason/be reasoned with, Alex for example "Wanna go back", "Not right now. If you stay out, you can go back after.", "Can have nut?" "Yes, you can have nut", "And shoulder?", "Yes, shoulder time too" [Conversation between Alex and Irene), learning (how can I destroy this?? how can I work out this toy?? how do I say that word?), emotional knowledge (I have no doubt about this - they can understand and feel the different degrees of emotion much like humans, happiness, sadness, excitement, depression, we see it time and time again in our companions), retaining (yup, they remember what they learn!), planning (example with Joanna and her Amazon Tiko who wanted a scratch, she told him to wait, and he looked around the room, spotted a cup with feathers, climbed up, grabbed a feather and used the shaft to scratch his head - no experimentation, just straight forward analysis and planning), and problem solving (phew - just look at how fast they can solve different problems, whether it is in nature - when is it safe to go to the clay licks? wait, or observe?, how can I get this food? [Kea's are notorious problem solvers and people are constantly trying to stop them getting into their bins!], and even in captivity with their toys and daily interactions)

I have no doubt that parrots are highly intelligent - and that we may never know what they are capable of. Simply because we try and apply "our" situations to them, rather than testing in their environment and terms. (Look at Alex for an example - yes he knew words, concepts, counting, etc - but he didn't NEED to as an evolution standpoint) I think if we look at how parrots behave in a natural and stress-free environment, we can really see their full potential.

You see palm cockatoos who tap their feet on a hollow log, it doesn't make much sound, but then some males figure out that if they use a stick, it can amplify the sound which is more likely to attract a mate. It was thought for a long time that only humans really used tools, but we've seen examples of other animals who do - and parrots are a classic example.

I don't know if you can really "rate" parrot intelligence against a human - we have enough issues trying to measure IQ between people of different nationalities and cultures. The problems you present to an individual have to be relevant - if we were to take a theoretical bird test "Find the ripest fruit in the jungle", we would fail, horribly lol - but that's because we're not adapted to that experience. Same goes when we analyse bird intelligence and get them to take our tests "How many of x?" Birds don't need to know how many of something is - if it's fruit, they're not going to care. Half they'll eat, the other half will end up on the floor of the Amazon, or the walls of the suburban home. What they will notice though is if a flock member is missing - and that's a strong emotional tie.

I'll come back to this discussion later ^-^ It looks interesting!

Note: Sorry I don't have sources for all my examples I'm a firm believer in giving evidence and sources where needed, but I only dropped into uni today to feed my fish and wanted to post on this topic. If you are interested in the examples I used, I can give a list of resources later - just let me know.

 

[antoinette]

I obviously need to catch up on our hometown hero here, Mishka! There is a Guiness category for largest vocabulary for a bird and that I believe is held by a budgie!

I actually entered Mishka for the largest vocabulary for an African Grey

 

[antoinette]

Well you cleared that one up for me Antoinette and indeed give mishka a kiss from me

Thanks.... Mishka sends huge kisses to you

 

[antoinette]

Good luck to Mishka!

Are there really species-specific vocabulary size records? If so I'll have to see what the record is for a GCC. Scooter is quite chatty for a bird not known for talking.

Thanks for the wishes

I actually know of a GCC that talks too beautifully. I reckon practically any bird can learn to talk

Just takes so long with Guinness Book Of World Records
The person who was dealing with Mishka's claim, left the company.
I had to begin the entire process again, took hours and hours.
Now the waiting game begins

 

[antoinette]

I think Alex was amazing, but it is true they worked him non stop. It kind of makes me think they worked him too hard and stressed him out in the process. I have seen many video's of him just asking to go back (meaning to his cage). I agree that Mishka gets the award for the most amazing parrot. He truly is amazing!!

Thanks Mozzie

Alex was an incredible bird, and so intelligent.
Dr Pepperberg did an amazing job, comes out with fantastic findings.
I too have watched the video's, he always looked so stressed.
In most of the vid's his feathers looked terrible due to the plucking.
I guess that what happens when you work all day (being a bird)

 

[antoinette]

Antoinette, when Do you find out if he will make it into the book? That is excellent, you have put a lot of love and care into Mishka. I have learned a lot from your posts and your website that I hope to put into use when we get our TAG.

Thanks.... glad you are able to learn from out postings, go into the website, adsorb as much as you can.

I first contacted them in February 2012, it is a long process.
Had to edit hundred's of videos, make an album, all his wording and sayings. Took me 25 hours all in all. Must admit I did enjoy doing it all.

I had forwarded them everything, they came back to me asking me under what title would I classify Mishka's claim.

Replied etc.

Then on 8 June I was notified that the person dealing with the claim, had left the company. Had to begin the entire process again.

Now we just wait