interesting short article on an african grey with a big vocabulary!

[xgrafcorex]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3430481.stm

i don't plan on owning any birds myself..but if i did, i would definitely consider these!

 

[dtknow]

He must have smart genes. Oughtta breed him and establish a nerd race of parrots. I know someone who has an African Grey. It likes to sing songs and stuff like "Jesus loves you This I Know", but I doubt it is anywhere near as bright as this newsmaking bird.

 

[Kriegan]

Very impressive! I wonder if their intelligence can compare to the same level as dolphins, for example.

 

[Varden]

I don't know whether I'm biased or experienced, but after just 3 years with my macaw, there have been a number of times when things she's said has gone beyond 'mimicry' to startling 'intelligence'. I think they are at least on par with dolphins and elephants.

 

[Pyst]

Interesting article. It makes me really miss my "Toby".

 

[Khaz Rhoz Zek]

I'm of the belief that parrots, specifically the CAG, are more intelligent than dolphins and elephants.

 

[Katronmaster]

They're definitely bright animals. I volunteered at a bird sanctuary and they never ceased to amaze... especially in that one we had could outsmart some of the staff, she seemed to like yanking chains.

 

[Cirith Ungol]

What starts to interest me is if the chain yanking and said humour are personal traits not every of these birds has or if they'd do the same in bird talk in a flock, perhaps to enforce some kind of rank? So is the humour something that would be there in every of these birds or is it an indiviual thing?

 

[Socrates]

So is the humour something that would be there in every of these birds or is it an indiviual thing?

I believe the humour is a personal, individual trait. A lot has to do with how the bird was raised, interacted and worked with as well, however, I don't think if you raise 2 birds (clutchmates) the exact same way, you'll never end up with the exact same results.

Ever since owning my Amazons I've become aware that these creatures are extremely smart. They both have completely different personalitites, and my much younger male has a much larger vocabulary than my female. There are times he simply mutters quietly (or not so quietly) in his cage, but there are also times when it's very obvious that he is trying to get a point across to either my female (who's located across the room) or myself.

I agree that their intelligence can easily be compared with dolphins and chimps.

---
Wendy
---

 

[Cirith Ungol]

I've wanted a bird for a long time. If I ever get one I'm really tempted to make it one of those and I'll raise it like my own son... or daughter... and teach it to help in the kitchen... or go to work for me (if it's really smart noone will ever notice)

But seriously (and still having wanted a bird), this makes me wonder how "stupid" dinosaurs really were, or some of them.