Parrots learn to make video calls to chat with other parrots: study (news.northeastern.edu)

Article summary

Researchers from Northeastern University, MIT, and the University of Glasgow taught a group of domesticated parrots to make video calls to each other using tablets and smartphones. The parrots were able to initiate calls, recognize each other, and form friendships. The study suggests that video calls can improve the quality of life for pet parrots by providing social interaction and mental stimulation. The researchers caution that introducing video calls to parrots requires careful handling and monitoring to avoid stress or aggression.

Main themes

• parrot socialization
• animal welfare
• technology and animal interaction
• cognitive abilities of parrots
• pet ownership and responsibility
• animal captivity and ethics

What commenters say

• Keeping parrots as pets can be detrimental to their mental health and well-being due to their social and spatial needs.
• Video calls can be a useful tool to provide social interaction and mental stimulation for parrots, but it is not a replacement for proper care and attention.
• The intelligence and cognitive abilities of parrots make them capable of complex behaviors and social interactions, including recognizing and responding to individual callers.
• The use of technology, such as video calls, can be a double-edged sword for parrots, potentially providing benefits but also introducing new risks and stressors.
• Parrots are not domesticated in the same way as dogs or cats and have specific needs that must be met to ensure their well-being.
• The concept of keeping parrots as pets is problematic and raises questions about animal welfare and the ethics of captivity.
• The study's findings have implications for the development of new technologies and methods to improve the lives of parrots and other animals in captivity.