This article discusses a fascinating study where scientists taught pet parrots to video call each other, and the birds responded positively. Here are the key takeaways:
- **The Study's Purpose:** Wild parrots are highly social and live in large flocks, but pet parrots often live alone, which can lead to loneliness and behavioral issues. Researchers explored whether video calls could help captive parrots connect socially.
- **How It Worked:** Parrots were trained to initiate video calls by touching images of other parrots on a tablet screen. Initially, owners supervised the calls, ensuring they were positive experiences.
- **The Results:** Parrots actively used the video chat feature, seemed to recognize their conversation partners as real birds (not recordings), and even learned new behaviors from their virtual friends—like flying and foraging. They developed strong friendships, often calling the same birds repeatedly.
- **Impact on Humans:** Some parrots even bonded with the human caretakers of their virtual friends. While video calls can't replace flock interactions in the wild, they may improve the well-being of captive birds.
- **Warnings & Limitations:** The study was carefully managed to avoid fear or aggression, and researchers cautioned that unmediated interactions might lead to problems.
It's an innovative approach to helping pet parrots feel less isolated!
