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Parrots 'smarts'

Discuss the methods and techniques of clicker training, target training and bonding. These are usually the first steps in training a young parrot.

Parrots 'smarts'

Postby Pajarita » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:38 am

This is not an article about them learning tricks but about the possible source of their higher intelligence -which allows them not only to learn tricks but also to figure things out, to build tools, etc. etc.

A new study by the University of Alberta found that there is an area in parrots brains that is much larger than in other species of birds and they think this could be one of the reasons why they are so intelligent (I highly recommend it - SUPER SUPER interesting!)

https://gizmodo.com/this-brain-part-cou ... 1827364851
Pajarita
Norwegian Blue
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 18701
Location: NW Pa
Number of Birds Owned: 30
Types of Birds Owned: RoseBreasted too, CAG, DoubleYellowHead Amazon, BlueFront Amazon, YellowNape Amazon, Senegal, African Redbelly, Quaker, Sun Conure, Nanday, BlackCap Caique, WhiteBelly Caique, PeachFace lovebird, budgies,
Flight: Yes

Re: Parrots 'smarts'

Postby Pajarita » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:24 am

And another 'reason' why parrots are so smart! A new study found that baby birds that stay with their parents for a long time are smarter - and we all know that parrots stay with their parents for a loooong time before they form their own pairs.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech ... igent.html


This makes the third 'reason' we have lately found that affects intelligence in birds in general, and all three are present in parrots.

1) higher protein in the egg yolk (usually found only in precocial species but also found in parrots that are highly altricial -why? Because extra protein is needed for their large brains)

2) the one mentioned on the previous post: the larger medial spiriform nucleus in relation to other avian species

3) the longer 'childhood' period found in this new study

Super cool, isn't it?!
Pajarita
Norwegian Blue
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 18701
Location: NW Pa
Number of Birds Owned: 30
Types of Birds Owned: RoseBreasted too, CAG, DoubleYellowHead Amazon, BlueFront Amazon, YellowNape Amazon, Senegal, African Redbelly, Quaker, Sun Conure, Nanday, BlackCap Caique, WhiteBelly Caique, PeachFace lovebird, budgies,
Flight: Yes


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