Rosco the Observant!

[JamesC]

People think I'm talking nonsense around here when I speak about bird intelligence. I can show them videos on YouTube like Kili the senegal parrot solving color sorting puzzles and they don't really seem to get it. But I got a new story tonight to tell about how clever our feathered friends can be.

My washing machine upstairs broke down tonight and started leaking water internally which came through the ceiling and was dripping near Rosco's cage. I didn't hear the dripping at all. Suddenly, Rosco was flying back and forth between his cage and my laptop lid. Clearly agitated and wanting my attention. Back and forth 4 times real quick while this slow human wondered what he was on about. Each time he went back to his cage, he "growled" and his head feathers came up. He was certainly looking at something and wanted my attention badly. I got up and went to investigate and found the water dripping. Crisis mode. I searched for the problem and discovered the washer was messed up. Got it emptied out and the water mopped up as best as possible.

Rosco got an extra almond as a treat for being such an observant and clever boy.

 

[Mimsy01]

Foo and Zeki probably would of been taking a bath in the leak.

Rosco is a good boy.

 

[OneHorseRanch]

The animals do talk to us, we just forget to listen. cool story. Hope the water damage isnt too bad.

 

[Crazy]

That's so cute!! what a good little birdy

 

[plumsmum2005]

Well done Roscoe, clever boy, definitely deserves extra treats. I only get warnings of spiders on the ceiling, a pigeon in the garden or the oven beeping - really useful!

 

[Birdman666]

I had a wild bird that used to fly to the window, and tap on it, when the feeder was empty...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Some people will never get it. For me though, you couldn't convince me otherwise as to the intelligence of parrots (and even birds altogether). Pigeons are actually considered to be very intelligent and yet many people see them as stupid nuisances. Maybe that's why they crap on so many cars. The car owner thinks the bird is an idiot.

The thing that bugs me though is how often Skittles outsmarts me. There are times when I figure I can do something a certain way or whatever and he won't catch on. Nope, he doesn't get fooled. Try as I may I've yet to be successful in that area.

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah, well, until you've lived with something like a Blue throat or a red front, you have no idea just how smart these birds can be at figuring things out...

I swear those birds can dismantle just about anything!

Conures are shrunken macaws. Just as talented. Less power and leverage.

Demitre, my Dusky was one of the smartest birds I ever owned. (And he was EVIL!)

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

@Birdman Yep, "shrunken macaws" is pretty accurate. Actually, the term "aratinga" means 'little macaw'.

I think a lot of people underestimate the smaller birds. A lot of people don't give budgies enough credit even.

Not sure I can agree with you on the power and leverage part. Conures are pretty stubborn at getting what they want. The cuteness factor is also unbeatable. I'll get mad at Skittles sometimes say to him "you are such a booger!" or "stop being a brat" and he will instantly make his kissy noises. He'll do this especially when I'm on the phone. Whenever I talk to my friend and he does that she just cracks up. She says he's communicating back, that he is!

Seriously though, I get what you mean.