Bruce’s surprising adaptability: a unique parrot in New Zealand

In 2012, a small kea, a kind of parrot, called Bruce He was rescued after losing the tip of his beak, an essential tool for survival, in the alpine forests. New Zealand. welcomed in Willow Bank Wildlife Sanctuary In Christchurch, his disability made him dependent on human care, but Bruce surprised everyone by developing a remarkable ability to stay clean.

Science News Since arriving at Willowbank Wildlife Sanctuary, Bruce has faced significant challenges due to his inability to forage and hunt on a regular basis. However, in 2021, the comparative psychologist Amalia Bastos And as his team began studying the keys in existence, they noticed something unusual. For nine days, the team documented how Bruce used small stones to clean his feathers.

Process developed by Bruce Subtle: First choose a stone carefully. It holds the stone between its tongue and lower beak to prepare itself. This innovative behavior was not learned in the wild, and Bruce developed this technique himself, which demonstrated enhanced cognitive ability and remarkable adaptability.

The results were published in a 2021 article Scientific reportsIt described how Bruce used a selection of stones to keep his feathers clean.

This finding is important for several reasons:

1. Innovative use of tools: Bruce’s ability to use stones as tools to prepare himself is a clear indicator of his intelligence. This behavior is not seen in other gear, and Bruce developed this technique independently.
2. compatibility: Despite his physical disability, Bruce demonstrated remarkable adaptability in solving a problem that was vital to his health and well-being. This adaptability is an example of the cognitive flexibility that keas possess.
3. Evidence of advanced cognition: Tool use is an indicator of advanced cognition. Bruce’s ability to select, manipulate, and use the appropriate tool for a specific task indicates a complex level of reasoning and planning.
4. Impact on the understanding of animal intelligence: This study contributes to a deeper understanding of animal intelligence, particularly birds. This demonstrates that geas and other bird species possess cognitive abilities previously thought to be exclusive to mammals such as animals.

Tool use in birds is an indicator of advanced intelligence. The ParrotsKnown for their ability to imitate human speech and solve complex problems, they are often compared to animals in terms of cognitive abilities.

Research shows that parrots, like primates, have developed brains that allow them to perform complex cognitive tasks. A study Max Planck Institute of Ornithology They revealed that parrots have a brain structure called the medial spheriform nucleus (SBM), which, like the pontine nuclei in primates, is responsible for communication between the cortex and the cerebellum.

According to National Geographic, an analysis of the brain 98 species Bird neuroscientists at the University of Alberta showed that SpM is higher in parrots than in other birds. This area of ​​the brain, which performs a similar function to the pontine nuclei in mammals, is important for planning and executing sophisticated behaviors.

Evolutionary convergence between parrots and primates suggests that a greater ability to transfer information between the cortex and cerebellum is critical to the development of advanced cognitive skills. Following the mass extinction that ended the era of the dinosaurs, modern birds, including parrots, developed larger brains relative to their bodies, accelerating the evolution of intelligence in these groups.

Examples of tool use are not limited to Bruce. According to Science News, the Hyacinth macaws They use pieces of wood to open the nuts Goffin’s Cactus They recognize the tools as part of a package, which is shared only by chimpanzees and humans. This behavior indicates that 11 to 17 percent of parrot species may use tools, suggesting that this ability appeared 50 million years ago.

In general, parrots have the same level of intelligence as monkeys, although their cognitive abilities are inferior to those of great apes and two-year-old children, according to collaborative research. Max Planck Institute of Ornithology And Loro Park Foundation. Experiments conducted with 39 parrots from four different species showed that, in general, parrots obtained comparable results to monkeys on all tasks, except in the domain of causal reasoning, where their ability was superior.

The research also suggests that the parrots’ results may be conditioned by the youth of the specimens that participated in the experiments, as they were only one year old. This indicates that young parrots have significant cognitive capacity, which may further develop over time.

Dr. Auguste von Bayern He is leading this research, which includes the participation of seven international students in Tenerife who are doing theses on the intelligence of parrots. Starting next summer, the parrot sample will be expanded to include three species of cockatoos and three species of Amazons, allowing for a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the cognitive abilities of these birds.

On the other hand, another study conducted has made it clear once again that parrots have shown impressive cognitive abilities, according to a recent study by Dr. Antoine Vallet’s team. University of Toulouse. This discovery has generated great interest and recognition in the scientific community, as it shows that these birds not only have advanced intelligence, but are also capable of performing tasks previously believed to be exclusive to them. Animals And some Cetaceans.

A widely publicized study has revealed that parrots can use tools to perform complex tasks. This ability was previously only observed in certain species of animals and cetaceans. According to Vallet, this skill not only implies excellent problem-solving skills, but also a deep understanding of the environment.

A very iconic case is that AlexA parrot trained by a psychologist Irene Pepperberg More than three decades. Alex demonstrated impressive abilities to reason at a basic level and use words creatively, which changed ideas about animal intelligence and raised important philosophical and sociological implications. This parrot was able to compete with human students and teach other parrots, standing out as an extraordinary phenomenon of intelligence in birds.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of parrots is the ability to imitate human sounds and words. It’s a thank you that it’s possible Voice system Unique that allows them to modify their voice like humans. However, not all parrots have the same ability to speak; It depends on factors such as species, training and interaction with humans.

The African Gray Parrots They are particularly popular because of their ability to talk, but they are expensive. The cost of an African parrot varies considerably and its maintenance requires special food, spacious cages, toys, regular veterinary care and a lot of time and dedication on the part of the owner. These parrots can live between 30 and 60 years, representing a long-term responsibility.

• Voice reflection: Reproduction of human sounds and words.
• Language comprehension: They can understand concepts like numbers and colors.
• adjustment– Demonstrate advanced reasoning skills.

• Use of tools: They use things to solve problems.
• Inspection and handling: They manipulate objects and explore their environment.
• Social game– They enjoy cooperative and interactive play.

• Use of tools– Open nuts and seeds with objects.
• Memory and social learning: They learn by observing others.
• Voice reflection: Imitate human sounds and words

These parrots exhibit enhanced intelligence and adaptability, enriching our understanding of animal cognition.