Like humans, pet parrots can benefit from virtual connection with their peers.
Last week, researchers from Northeastern University, the University of Glasgow and MIT announced their new study, which observed that birds, if given the choice, would call each other.
“The answer, relayed in delighted squawks and head bobs, was a resounding yes,” the statement said.
In the statement, one pet parent said their bird “came alive during the calls.”
The results suggest that these virtual interactions could help with a domesticated parrot’s behavior, improved communication in the wild and, more importantly, their well-being.
Participating bird owners reported a number of positive experiences for their tech-savvy pets – a social species that tends to live in large flocks – including new skills they learned from their video friends like foraging, new vocalizations and flying.
Parrots were chosen by researchers for their intelligence and other cognitive capabilities, which are “equal to that of an early-elementary-aged child.”
According to the University of Glasgow, pet birds that feel isolated may develop psychological issues, which could manifest into rocking, excessive pacing and plucking out their feathers as a form of self-harm. Researchers wanted to know how humans may be able to help.
In the first phase of the study, 18 birds learned how to use their beaks to tap on a tablet screen, ring a bell, then touch an image of another pet parrot to call. In two weeks, participants made 212 video calls while owners monitored their behavior.
