How smart are they really?

torrap

Member
Jun 10, 2013
494
4
CO, USA
Parrots
Marley-YSA (hen) -hatched 07/20/2006;
Simba-DYHA (hen)-hatched 06/23/2003
I have this cage for Simba that comes with the wire dish holders that hold SS dishes for food and water.
It's challenging sometimes to get the dish with food on the right angle perfect into the holder. So, I bring Simba's breakfast every morning and messing with it for a minute or so till I get it right. When it clicks into place Simba is usually saying............"THERE YOU GO!".
This bird scares me.............:rolleyes:............is she really that smart????????
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Yes they're that smart....I dunno what mine is thinking half the time in their little bird brain....sneaky too! ;)
 

Maria_Metropolis

New member
Nov 12, 2013
501
2
Parrots
White Face Cinnamon Pearl Pied Cockatiel - "Muffin"

Hatch Date: October 4th, 2013
RIP July 4, 2014
I will just say I have no idea where the derogatory term "bird brain" came from. It should be a compliment instead.
 

PetoftheDay

Member
Dec 27, 2010
967
1
Boston area, MA
I have actually read and interviewed an author/scientist who studies parrots - and the answer is VERY!

I think "bird brained" was coined after some lesser kind of bird, and by someone who didn't try to understand why birds do what they do!
 

Hermit57

New member
Aug 16, 2013
31
0
West Virginia
Parrots
Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
My BFA says "Hello, welcome back" when anyone comes in the house. I don't know where he got it from because we never say it.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
I will just say I have no idea where the derogatory term "bird brain" came from. It should be a compliment instead.

I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! I always DO take it as a compliment. :D

Michael, Maria wasn't talking about your comment, HAHAHAHAH.

This bird brain here have been fried.....that's why I haven't been on much....lol....I'm just tired....my bad....
 

Blueridge

New member
Sep 16, 2013
283
2
North Carolina
Parrots
Rocky - Yellow-Faced Quaker Parrot
My bird is smarter than most of the people I know. Birds will probably take over the world one day. I can't wait.

I bet if a African grey were president instead of Obama then our country would be 100x better. And the Vice President could be a budgie haha
 
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getwozzy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
7,218
7
Oregon
Chili is a genius IMO.

I think people overlook a bird's intelligence because they don't take the time like we do, to observe them and watch them, see what they do in situations, see how they behave, etc....so they just don't see it. They think all birds do is fly around making nests and eating seeds. Lol
 
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GaryBV

New member
Nov 2, 2013
627
7
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Pacific Parrotlets - green Beanieboy and blue Skya;
Fischer Lovebirds - Mariposa and Papillon
I do have to say that there is one local bird that does seem to be rather ummmm challeneged. And that is our beautiful mourning doves - I just love them but sometimes I have to wonder how they ever survive. I've seen them foraging in the middle of the street almost getting hit by cars, they just so often seem to have delayed reactions. I've always heard turkeys were dumb, but there are quite a few wild turkeys here about on our land and they are far from dumb. I've also heard chickens were dumb but in some recent posts here quite a few people had pet chickens and said they were very smart.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Yes chickens are super smart animals!!!! But I can't have them as pets anymore cause I don't do much beef and not a fan of fish and trying to eat healthy protein with chicken breast. So if I have a chicken then I dunno what I would eat....I can't eat one that I have for pet as well.....my dilemma....lol
 

cnyguy

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2010
1,025
479
Syracuse, NY
Parrots
Quaker parrot, Ralph
I have to agree that the mourning doves aren't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier, so to speak. :D But birds in general are very smart, and most parrots are remarkably intelligent. If you observe wild birds closely, you'll discover just what a bird brain really is. I once saw a blue jay who figured out how to get an automatic door to open so he could get in and out of a farm supply store to steal sunflower seeds from a bulk bin-- and last spring, I had a hummingbird tap on my window after she discovered I hadn't yet put the hummingbird feeder up. :)
 

GaryBV

New member
Nov 2, 2013
627
7
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Pacific Parrotlets - green Beanieboy and blue Skya;
Fischer Lovebirds - Mariposa and Papillon
Yes chickens are super smart animals!!!! But I can't have them as pets anymore cause I don't do much beef and not a fan of fish and trying to eat healthy protein with chicken breast. So if I have a chicken then I dunno what I would eat....I can't eat one that I have for pet as well.....my dilemma....lol

Indeed Mikey I can sure understand that lol - I kinda twinge every time I give my birds some scrambled egg :11:
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
When I used to do saltwater reef tank I had shrimp in my tank, since I'm not much of a fish eater it didn't bother me but I do eat shrimp, I couldn't anymore because I had to look at peppy, skunky, the three amigos, etc. everyday. They eat off my hands too so I feel like I was eating their relative so I stay away from shrimp for awhile....lol....
 

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