“Hey…look at this if you care about me”!

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Vienna have reported that Ravens pick up objects such as stones, branches and moss and show them to other Ravens.  In most cases, the bird being solicited is the other’s mate.  Once his or her attention is drawn, the pair usually jointly manipulates the object for a time. 

Pair formation in Ravens is a long, complicated process, and mated birds are known to engage in complex tasks that require a high level of cooperation.  This, and their intelligence, was long ago recognized by people living within their range.  In the northern reaches of North American and Asia, Ravens featured prominently in mythology and folklore. Ornithologists believe that showing and jointly “handling” objects may be used to test the suitability or interest of a potential mate, and to strengthen the bond once the birds have paired up. 

Parrots and Crows Ace Tests

Several other interesting studies concerning avian intelligence have been published recently.  Most have focused on Parrots and Corvids (Crows, Magpies, and Ravens).  Believed to be the most intelligent of all birds, the learning abilities of both groups have shocked researchers.  In some test situations, New Caledonian Crows have scored on par with Chimpanzees and other Great Apes. 

The articles linked below describe some of what these brilliant avian test-takers have accomplished recently – Keas that learn and build upon problem solving skills and discard them when need be, Japanese Crows that take advantage of both traffic and traffic signals when feeding, African Gray Parrots that pick and choose human words to fit specific situations, and more…

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Do Parrots Know what they are Saying? (Yes, at least some of the time!).

Kea Intelligence

Japan’s Amazing Carrion Crows

Birds can “Read” Human Gaze

Raven image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Franco Atirador
Chihuahuan Raven image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Aaron

Post from: That Bird Blog


Unique Bird Behavior – Ravens Use Beaks to “Show” Objects to Mates

World’s Oddest Parrot?

The Kea is a quite unusual parrot found only on New Zealand’s South Island.  The world’s only truly alpine parrot, it frolics in snow, nests on and below the ground and has been known to consume carrion and even to possibly prey upon lambs (unusual enough!?).  Its continued existence is in jeopardy due to introduced predators such as stoats and possums, but the government has recently removed it from the list of threatened species (an action contested by some conservation groups). 

Learning and Building Upon New Skills

The two species of New Zealand Kakas are placed in the same genus as the Kea; a third is now extinct.
Researchers at the Universities of Vienna and Oxford tested the Kea’s problem-solving abilities by presenting birds with a box containing food.  There were 4 ways by which the Keas could reach the food – by pulling a switch, using a hooked lever to open a window, putting marbles on a runway to knock the food out and inserting a stick to poke the food within reach.  This video of the entire experiment is amazing – please don’t miss it!

One Kea mastered all 4 skills; other individuals also made good progress.  The bird’s abilities were particularly impressive because Keas do not normally use tools in the wild, but needed to learn to do so in order to retrieve the food in this test.  New Caledonian Crows did well also, but they are known tool-users under natural conditions (please see article below). 

Once one solution was mastered, researchers blocked it so that the action no longer worked.  Amazingly, the “brightest” Kea, nicknamed “Kermit”, discarded useless techniques and quickly developed new ways into the food box. 

The Kea’s curved bills prevented easy use of a stick, but when a stick was needed to reach the food they found a way…as you’ll see from the video, “Kermit” made 5 position adjustments, using both feet and bill, in order to get his stick into just the right position.

Future Research: How Do We Acquire Knowledge?

The Keas’ abilities to build upon what they learned and to improvise in order to meet changing conditions went beyond showing merely “what” birds can learn and provided insights as to “how” they learn. 

Researchers believe that continued studies may shed light on the process of learning in people.  They reasoned that the birds did not merely stumble upon the solutions by random trial and error, but rather analyzed the situation and chose the most likely path to success.  Similarly, human language is too complicated a skill for a child to acquire by mere chance…a toddler’s (seemingly) meaningless blubbering must be directed somehow, but we do not yet know all that is involved.  Studies of Keas and other highly intelligent birds may help…and they make for great videos!

Other parrots have also shown amazing abilities to learn new tasks, and to understand the implications of what they have learned.  Please see the article below for more info.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Amazing Video of the Kea and Crow Test

Parrots Are Smarter Than We Thought (African Grey Parrots)   

New Caledonian Crow Intelligence  

Kea Conservation (Nest Hollow Videos)

Adult Kea image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Mark Whatmough
Adult Kea Flying image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Chmehl
Kea Bill image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by PhillipC

Post from: That Bird Blog


Kea Parrot Intelligence Shocks Researchers

A Unique Look at Parrot Speech

Most folks have utilized “question-answer” type research in order to determine if parrots actually respond with correct answers, indicating that they understand the question posed.  However, researchers at the University of Georgia (USA) were interested in parrots’ spontaneous vocalizations.  They wanted to see if parrots might change what they said to fit different situations, without being prompted by people.

The study’s results, published in the May, 2011 issue of The Journal of Comparative Psychology, established that the utterances of one African Gray Parrot were not random. The bird, known as Cosmo, altered what he said according to what people were present, where they were and what they were doing. 

Parrot Changes Words to Fit Situation

If Cosmo’s owner was in another room, Cosmo spoke twice as many words as when the owner was in the same room as himself, or was not present in the house.  Amazingly, when the owner was in another room, Cosmo’s words very frequently related to location – “I’m here”, “Where are you?” and so on.  The researchers thought this might be an extension of the natural “contact calls” made by parrots in the wild.  Flocks and pairs of parrots (and other birds) issue contact calls in order to “stay in touch”, remain aware of each others’ location and pass along information concerning food, safety and other matters.

When owner and Cosmo were in the same room, most of his words were designed to elicit interaction – i.e. “I want to play”, rather than to establish location. 

The researchers concluded that Cosmo was choosing specific words to fit different situations, and had grasped the concepts behind the words he used.  Cosmo’s behavior was more clearly understood by viewing “communication units” rather specific individual words.  All told, Cosmo used 278 distinct communication units.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Cosmos’ Website  

Alex, an African Grey Parrot, and the Concept of “Zero”  

Video: Parrot Playing “Telephone” 

Both African Grey Parrot images referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Papooga

Post from: That Bird Blog


Do Parrots Understand What They Say? – “Yes”, According to a New Study

Why a TV?

The group of African Gray Parrots at Folly Farm is kept busy by keepers who interact with them on a regular basis, and are also supplied with climbing and foraging opportunities and other time-tested enrichment activities.  The staff was concerned, however, that the parrots might be bored when there were no keepers on site.  As an experiment, a 32 inch flat screen TV was installed in the parrots’ exhibit, and the birds’ reactions were observed.

The Parrots Respond

The parrots paid a great deal of attention to the TV, and soon began mimicking rainforest and bird sounds on nature oriented shows. This seemed to make sense, but the birds then surprised their keepers by becoming very excited when Loose Women, a lunchtime talk show, was aired.  Some folks were not surprised, however – according to one commenter, the show itself featured a great deal of “chattering”, and so would be a natural for the noisy birds!

Folly Farm’s African Gray Parrots have also taken to mimicking the “beep-beep” make by delivery trucks operating in reverse. Their skilled impressions never fail to draw a few keepers to the loading dock in anticipation of a food delivery!

Music and TV for other Zoo Animals

I’ve used classical radio stations to block out sudden sounds that might disturb especially sensitive zoo animals.  In the case of confiscated Palm Cockatoos and a colony of Naked Mole Rats, the strategy worked well. 

My only TV-animal experience dates back many years, when I was working with Gorillas.  Our females, unschooled in the ways of motherhood, consistently failed to properly nurse their young.  Movies showing “good Gorilla mothers” were shown, but the experiment failed miserably…from what I have seen, parrots would have learned whatever they saw on TV!

Suggest Shows for Folly Farm’s Parrots

Click here to suggest programs that Folly Farm’s parrots might enjoy.  Recent entries (not by yours truly!) have included Feather Say Feather Again, Cockatoo Kill a Mockingbird and Parrots of the Caribbean. 

Further Reading

Parrots Behaving Badly: Britain’s Beer Guzzling, Swearing Birds

TV for Parrot Owners

Hysterical Video: Parrot imitating one sided phone conversation; the video of 2 toddlers “conversing” is also very funny

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrots and Loose Women – Zoo’s African Gray Parrots Enjoy Talk Show

Tough Competition

The contest, sponsored by Besttalkingparrot.com, attracted 60 talented parrots from points as widespread as Chile, Canada, Australia and Africa.  The winner, three-year-old Mishka, resides with her owner and family members in a small apartment near Johannesburg, South Africa. 

In addition the coveted title of “Best Amateur Talking Parrot” (is there a “Best Professional Talker”?), the clever bird was also awarded a new cage, a pile of toys and a starring role in a soon-to-be-released parrot-training DVD. Hopefully, other parrots viewing the DVD will be inspired to emulate her fine vocabulary and, as it has been described, “delightful accent” (please see video below).

A Lovable but Mischievous Neighbor

At home in South Africa, Mishka is the unofficial “mayor” of her apartment complex.  Despite continually fooling neighbors with cries of “Call the police!” and impersonations of wailing police sirens, it seems that she is loved (or at least tolerated!) by everyone. 

A propensity for swearing, and even for directly insulting her owner, is blamed on the owner’s sons…unfortunately, teaching Mishka not to swear seems harder than teaching her to swear!   In Mishka’s defense, another favorite expression is “Oh, oh, I’m in trouble!”…so she may be trying to mend her ways.

Her longest phrase in “I want to go to the Kruger Park with Sterretjie” (Sterettjie is her favorite companion, a Ring-Necked Parakeet).

Mishka was acquired by her owner at age 3 months, and showed a propensity for speaking early on.  She responded very well to parrot-training CD’s – and soon she’ll be starring in one of her own!

A Sadder Note on African Grey Parrots

Despite have been bred regularly in captivity for some time now, surprisingly large numbers of wild African Greys are still illegally trapped and sold as pets. 

Recent months have seen a spate of confiscations in Uganda and elsewhere, which makes one wonder just how many smuggled birds are escaping detection.  Even when birds are seized, enforcement problems abound…in one recent case, officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo actually returned over 500 confiscated parrots to dealers who were clearly in violation of the law (please see article below).

Further Reading

Video of Mishka in action

Conservation Setback for African Grey Parrots 

African Grey Parrots decline Throughout Central Africa

African Grey Parrot Natural History  

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

African Grey Parrot image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Eli Duke

Post from: That Bird Blog


African Grey Parrot Wins International Talking Contest…and a Movie Role!

A New Frontier in Pet Enrichment

Researchers studying animal communication came up with the idea for a game-based tool that might be used to explore parrot learning abilities.  The idea won first prize in a contest sponsored by a company that creates prototypes for inventors, and is now a reality.

The program is quite ambitious.  Several types of games with varying levels of difficulty are featured – parrots can make objects move, cause a song to be played, draw, participate in word games and move a ball so that it hits a food target.  The computer responds only to bird vocalizations, not to pecking or biting (no computer would last very long if parrots had to physically manipulate it!). 

Depending upon the game in use, the computer generates audio and/or visual responses, and a wired-in robot wired dispenses treats when the parrot behaves appropriately. 

Potential Risks and Benefits

One reviewer expressed fears that parrots might become addicted to the games (or to training for the Parrot World Computer Game Championships!), and that the computer might alienate birds from their owners, much as sometimes happens among people.  But the concept is far-sighted experiment, and I believe worthy of further investigation.  If all is arranged just so, it might even be possible for caged parrots to “work on the computer” while their owners are away.

I’ve observed Chimpanzees, Blue Jays, Crows and other creatures learn by watching others…certainly most parrots are up to the task of learning from a computer (far more so than I, as my long-suffering  co-workers at ThatPetPlace will attest!).

For the Non-Computer-Savvy Parrot or Owner

Don’t worry that your bird will “lag behind the others” if you’re not quite ready to provide it with a computer and robot…please see the article below for other ideas. 

A number of parrot toys, especially those designed to encourage problem solving, are also very useful enrichment and learning tools.

Further Reading

Video: a parrot’s typical first reaction to computer games.

Enrichment: Adding Zest to Your Parrot’s Life

Original research paper describing the new computer game.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Advanced Parrot Enrichment – a Bird-Controlled Computer Game and Robot!

Singapore’s Fortune Teller

Mani the Rose-Ringed Parakeet had already built up quite a reputation as a soothsayer in Singapore’s “Little India” community before this year’s World Cup catapulted him into international fame.  Owned by an 80-year-old fortune teller, the bird had been offering gambling and marriage “advice” to local people for years. 

Recently, Mani accurately predicted the outcomes of 5 important soccer matches (by turning over cards) and so folks are betting heavily on his World Cup predictions.

Vulture Brains, Anyone?

A more troubling scenario is presented by the situation in South Africa.  Gambling on World Cup matches is big business, and many people have somehow become convinced that they will be endowed with the ability to predict game outcomes after smoking dried vulture brains! 

The species of choice, the Cape Vulture, is already highly endangered due to habitat loss and electrocution via power lines…Birdlife Africa predicts that this new (and quite bizarre) threat may push it to the brink of extinction.

Embarrassing Bird Vocalists

Choosing losing teams is not the only way that birds have found to embarrass their owners.  In 1845, a parrot owned by US President Andrew Jackson had to be evicted from his former owner’s funeral because he was cursing loudly in both English and Spanish!

While working at the Bronx Zoo, coworkers and I taught an Indian Hill Myna to speak, not realizing that the bird would later be released into a huge mixed-species exhibit.  The zoo’s director came in one morning to record the calls of the exhibit’s residents, and was dismayed to hear, over and over, the Myna’s favorite phrase “Help, let me out”!

Please write in with your own bird stories. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Video of Mani the Parakeet picking winners

Cape Vulture Conservation

Rose-Ringed Parakeets as Pets 

Rose-ringed Parakeets image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by J.M.Garg

Post from: That Bird Blog


World Cup Twist – Parrots and Vultures Weigh-In with Predictions

Effect of Imperfect Song Tutors

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Ornithology exposed young male canaries to adult males that sang imperfect songs. The young males mimicked these songs to some extent, but by adulthood were singing near-perfect songs. This indicates that canaries likely have an internal “song template” that helps to correct deviations in the songs of their role models. The template seems to be activated when the youngsters hear an adult song, even if that song is imperfect.

Effect of Isolation

Canaries raised in complete isolation from adults do try to sing, but the sounds they produce bear little resemblance to a normal male’s song. Usually, birds do not modify their songs after reaching adulthood – what they learn as juveniles remains their song for life. However, when the canaries raised in isolation were exposed to a normal canary songs, they modified their own songs, despite having reached adulthood. In time, their songs improved greatly. So, unlike most birds, canaries remain able to change and improve their songs even after reaching maturity.

Human Language Development

Children raised in isolation have great difficulty in acquiring language skills later in life. It is hoped that the canary research will help us to understand human speech problems.

The Canary Song CD

As canaries seem able to learn throughout life, it’s never too late to try helping your pet to improve. A Feathered Phonics Canary Song CD may do the trick.

Further Reading

Please see my article Teaching Your Canary to Sing for tips on improving your pet’s singing abilities.

Most people are not aware of the dramatic story behind the canary’s entry into the pet trade. Please check out Shipwrecks, Vicious Dogs and Escaped Birds for details.

Please write in with your questions and comments.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by LC-de

Post from: That Bird Blog


Canaries Are Endowed With Unique Song-Learning Abilities

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.

Last time we discussed some finch training basics…getting your pet to calm down when near people and out of its cage. Please see Part I of this article for further details.

Returning to the Cage

As mentioned in Part I of this article, canaries and other finches are much easier to train when outside their cages. If your bird is to become truly tame, it is essential that it return to the cage on its own, and not be chased there. This may take a great deal of time, and will require you to be very patient.

Use treats to lure the bird inside. Canaries and finches often relish egg food, and may respond quickly when it is offered. Many finches cannot resist small insects. A convenient way to keep these handy is to utilize canned insects most silkworms are nearly always a big hit.

Your pet may also respond to fruit treats – freeze dried mango, coconut, papaya, blueberries and others work well for many species.

If you must net the bird, darken the room and try to be as quick and careful as possible.

Calling your Bird to Hand

The treats mentioned above may also be used to induce your pet to fly to your hand. If you call the bird each time food is presented, it may eventually fly to you when called, even if it does not see food in your hand. Continue to provide a treat each time it responds, but, as time goes on, hide the treat until your pet actually alights upon your hand (or head, as the case may be!).

Again, canaries are most apt to respond to this type of training, but I have also run across surprisingly responsive spice finches, Java rice birds, zebra finches, fire finches and others.

Further Reading

Although canaries are perceived to be natural songsters, a good deal of learning is involved…and you can help (no, you needn’t be a good whistler!). Learn more about improving your canary’s singing abilities in my article Teaching Your Canary to Sing.

Please write in with your comments and questions.

Thanks,
until next time,
Frank Indiviglio.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Taming and Training Canaries and Other Finches, Part 2

When we think of tame birds, it is most often the parrots and mynas that come to mind. Canaries and other finches, on the other hand, are largely thought of as pets to enjoy for their bright colors, active ways and cheerful songs. To a great extent, these perceptions hold true…but not entirely. Just as there are parrots that would frustrate the patience of famed animal trainer Gunther-Gable Williams himself, there are finches that become wonderfully tame and trusting.

Good Candidates

Most who have tried to tame finches agree that canaries and the closely-related green singing finches make the best candidates. Their calm demeanors, modified by thousands of generations in captivity, are a great asset to the first time bird-trainer.

A friend once showed me a number of photos of 2 incredibly tame zebra finches owned by her father in Taiwan. The birds slept in his pocket, responded to several commands, and seemed to solicit petting and other attention. She assured me that trained finches were quite common in her father’s community, and in other places on the island as well. In any event, zebra finches have long captive histories, and some individuals seem unusually calm even without much close contact.

How Nature Affects Training

When attempting to tame your pet finch, it is important to keep its nature and natural history in mind. Finches are smaller than the majority of the predators in their habitats….even spiders and frogs make meals of them on occasion. Most are, consequently, alert, high-strung and quick to take flight.

It is important to avoid sudden movements and noises around your finches …move slowly and speak in low tones. Keeping your birds at eye level is a good idea, as most become stressed by movements above their heads. In the beginning, avoid direct eye contact, which birds may associate with danger. I first read of this tip in the wonderful book Hand Taming Wild Birds at the Feeder (Martin, 1963)…the advice was later echoed by experienced co-workers at import facilities and the Bronx Zoo, and has proven very useful to me.

Make the same low sound or whistle each time you enter the room, and spend as much time as possible in the area…sitting quietly, in the main, for the first few days. Watch your birds for clues as to when it is time to move on with the process. Once they stop flitting about and begin feeding, bathing and preening in your presence, you can begin to try some closer contact.

Moving to Free Flight Training

It is nearly impossible to tame finches in their cage…your hand within their territory will be too threatening. The best technique is to allow them liberty in a bird-safe (cover windows, mirrors, etc.) room. Do this only after your pets have accepted their cage as a safe haven and regard it as their territory. The time period involved will vary, but 4-6 weeks is a good starting point.

When first releasing your finches, slowly insert an 18 inch perch through the bars near the cage door, and then open the door. This will allow the birds to exit slowly…many birds (and most animals for that matter), are reluctant to just burst into unfamiliar territory. Finches will prefer to hop out onto the perch for a look around, and may take a surprisingly long time to leave their cage completely.

Never attempt to chase your bird from its cage, as even one bad experience, especially with species other than canaries, can easily ruin your chances of gaining your pet’s trust.

Be sure to have a comfortable perch (i.e. another cage top, potted tree or well-secured natural branch) set up some distance from the cage as well, so that the finch will have somewhere to alight.

Returning to the Cage

Now that the finch is flitting about the room, how does one get it to go back home? Please check Part II of this article next week for tips on hand-taming and returning your bird to its cage.

For a different perspective on bird training, please see my article, Hand Taming Wild Birds.

I would be very pleased to hear about your own finch taming efforts…feel free to brag! Please write in with your comments and questions. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Taming and Training Canaries and Other Finches, Part I