Overhumanizing parrot behavior

IndySE

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May 5, 2016
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Kermit, ♀ GCC (Green Demon)
Parrots are so freakishly intelligent, sometimes I find myself stunned by what Kermit does. It seems rather human-like, so different than all the dogs I've owned, and I struggle to find anything strictly behavioral to explain it.

For instance, Kermit has demonstrated to me that she must have some concept of gratitude (though often chooses not to use it). Sometimes, if I hand her a favorite treat or put her to bed when she's really tired, she'll mumble softly "thank you". And I know usually birds don't know what the words they repeat mean, but I ONLY have used that specific word as my bridging word in training. So.... somehow, Kermit has figured out that it's not only a word that means she's doing something I like, but it works the reverse way too. Now that I think of it, maybe it's not so much gratitude and more like conditioning and training me the same way I do to her...

Another point and case, when I start cleaning her cage I swear she's trying to help me ! As I start organizing her toys or changing the paper, she'll start chipping her own poop off the bottom grate of her cage. Gross, I know, but parrots will do what they do. I know they sometimes do tidy their own spaces, but I find it fascinating she's connected that I am cleaning her cage and is joining in the flock behavior. I figure most of what humans do must look insane to our pets, but parrots study closely.

I recognize one must be careful in just how far we interpret these behaviors with a human lense, but I feel I won't be alone here... I'd love to hear more of our member's testimonies on many human-like traits or concepts that your featherlords seem to have a grasp on.
 

Rozalka

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My grandma always was speaking to Zenek (my GCC) 'I have nothing to eat' (when this was truth of course). After some time he lernt speak 'have nothing'. We started learning him the next word - 'good'. We always repeat this when Zenek gets somethig to eat, no matter if it is good for him or not. Now, when he gets something and he likes it, our 'conversation' looks like this:
Me: Good?
Zenek: Good, good!
When he gets something to eat and he doesn't like it:
Me: good?
Zenek: have nothing!
When he gets something new:
Zenek: have nothing
Me: say good
Zenek: have nothing!
when he'll try and change the opinion
Zenek: Good
I spoted Zenek often tells truth, when he speaks "good', he eats it, if not - he often drops it
btw GCCs generally are intelligent :)
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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DYH Amazon
In the recent past, we held that brain size matters. Without specific size, certain abilities are not possible. Of late, we have come to realize that although larger brain size does have abilities that smaller brains do not. How and especially how fast the brain functions has much more to do with what it is capable of achieving.

When one understands that a Parrot's brain and their entire body is designed for flight and therefore only what is needed is kept to reduce size and weight it become easier to understand that brains with four times the processing speed of our do not require them to be larger.

We pride ourselves on our ability to multitask. When compared to our Parrots, they focus on single tasks. Consider their ability to fly though a wooded landscape at speed. When not flying that ability is shifted to other tasks. When perched, they are very aware of their surroundings and as a result see things that we are totally unaware.

It is important to realize that we are yet again just at the very early stages of understanding just what our Parrots are truly capable of understanding.

Enjoy!
 

ChristaNL

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Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
I got clickertrained by my second CAG! :eek: :p

D. (RIP) had been clickertrained somewhere in her past, so everytime I did something "right" -> like bringing her upstairs to take a shower (one of the few things that could comfort her) she would *click-clack* at me.

She was very creative (I think the smartest one I ever met)

She had a lovely vocabulary, a lot of it very upperclass/old fasioned sounding - and every time I opened the fridge she would order me what to bring her: "a piece of apple", "a piece of cheese" etc.etc. and if I was eating she would inquire "is it tasty? "(her way of begging).

So one day I bought a papaya (they are not very common to find here now and certainly not in her past) just to see if she would like it.
That she did ... and she wanted more!
But... she did not know what is was called (yet! She mastered that one in 2 days!) so she started with her usual 'shoppinglist' "a piece of ------ silence------ tasty? "

:35:
(I really miss her so much!)

I am not sure if you can call it "humanizing" - I find that using certain words/ phrases in context is a sign of practical intelligence.
D. knew what things meant and combined them into something I never used - so she was not "parroting"!
 

Anansi

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Oooh! Loving this thread! And Christa makes an excellent point. I wouldn't call the given examples humanizing, either. Parrots are perfectly capable of speaking/reacting in context, IMO. Because they learn best via association, and are quite adept at sussing out cause and effect.

And as Steven mentioned, though their brains are smaller than our own, they do indeed have faster processing speeds. Most people truly underestimate that of which parrots are capable.
 

Tami2

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Aug 18, 2017
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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
Conditioning is a perfect word indeed. I agree!

Many who know me know that Levi is out of his cage more than he’s in. He also has many different hang outs. From the beginning every time I offered him anything I labeled it for him. ‘Thirsty’ was one of them. He learned that pretty quickly. So now when he is hanging out somewhere where there’s no way to attach a bowl for water. He’ll just say, ‘Thirsty’, I repeat it and say oh your thirsty okay, and I’ll immediately bring him fresh water. Letting him know that words are indeed functional. Once he grasped that concept I built on it. Levi prefers his water warm. So, I bring him fresh warm water & he gobbles it up. When I offer him the water, I label it, ‘thirsty, warm water’.
I do this with pretty much everything b/c I want him to learn the language and understand that the words have meaning.
Especially, if he out lives us, I want him to be able to make his needs known. That for example he prefers his water warm. Now, he will drink it room temperature if we’re out and he’s in his cage, but he prefers it warm. 😁

So, if no one is around to give a history to a future owner, if he out lives us, he’ll be able to convey his wants/needs/preferences etc...

You hear it all the time on these forums, I’ve adopted a 25 year old such & such, no history, I need help.

I find this to be an awful situation for the bird. So, I’m doing my best to educate my boy if he should ever find himself in this situation. (no one to speak on his behalf)
Maybe, some might think this is silly, but I don’t. 🖤

Great topic! I also, had to pull back on the anthropomorphizing, especially when Levi would behave territorially. I wasn’t understanding why he would act this way. Than I was schooled (by Anansi) 😉 and appreciate the lesson very much. It was very helpful in moving forward with my thinking and approach.
 

Anansi

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I often post about how it's worth it to put in the time and effort to train and forge a bond with your parrot. And this is a big part of why. Once they are invested in us, they want to communicate with us as much as we want to with them.

Being told thank you in context? Amazing!
Having your bird express likes and dislikes verbally? Phenomenal!
Being clicker-trained by your parrot? Astounding! (And a wee bit scary! Lol!)

And I love your approach, Tami! Building that association from the beginning sets up a solid framework for communication. And it only serves to strengthen the bond.
 
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ChristaNL

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Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Tami: I love what you are doing!


Yes, they tend to get passed around a lot, so teaching them how to instruct 'their' humans is a fantastic idea!
 

Amadeo

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Mar 29, 2018
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Sherbert (Male Cockateil, Grey with Emerald/Olive),
Moth (Female Budgerigar, Pied),
Melia (Female Budgerigar, Dilute)
Parrots are a group of very intelligent animals. In fact I'm reading a book on bird intelligence at the moment (covering all birds, but parrots did get a good mention).
With animals so intelligent it can be really easy to anthropomorize them, especially when they exhibit certain behaviours.
However, I believe we should also take in mind that these animals, with complex social systems and intelligence aren't just predisposed to ingrained behaviour which was the case in the past ("bird brained" is a good example, meaning someone is stupid).
They don't expirience the world as we do, their senses work differently and even their brain structures are different to ours but that does not mean they can't learn.
After all, if Alex the grey could learn shapes, size and colour and was able to distinguish between them with a good success rate why wouldn't they be able to learn other things. I don't know about learning concepts like gratitude but maybe they could put two pieces together and they have learnt to use "Thank you" when a need is met?
 

Tami2

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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
Tami: I love what you are doing!


Yes, they tend to get passed around a lot, so teaching them how to instruct 'their' humans is a fantastic idea!

Why, thank you my dear. ☺️💞
Every now and again, I can come with a good idea. Ha 😄
 

YUMgrinder

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Mar 20, 2017
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-Jazz, Normal Grey Cockatiel /

-Chessie, Pearl Cockatiel /

-Perry, Black capped Conure /

-JoJo, Pineapple GCC /

3 little busy Budgies
I love watching my birds and sometimes that's all I have to do to relax. I particularily think my newest pearl cockatiel, chessie, is exceptionally smart and today she was under the cage but I could see her eyes darting back anf forth looking up, she was trying to figure out how to get back up without flying. You'd think she would just go ahead and take flight but nope, she walked around with her hat up in different positions until she found a way to do it. I think a cockatiels crest is only one of many ways to see what they are thinking, their eyes tell their story too.

My male tiel will get on my shoulder when I get home from work (in the morning) and he is most happy in the mornings, wanting his morning scratches. I was taking him back to his cage and he doesn't ever want to get put in there so right before we get to the cage he starts singing on my shoulder and saying "baby bird" and "gimme kiss!" and was making kissing sounds. He knew I like it when he talks and I'm certain he did it to distract me from putting him in his cage lol

My nanday isn't so smart. She's a derp.
 
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IndySE

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May 5, 2016
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Kermit, ♀ GCC (Green Demon)
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I didn't get a chance to come back to this thread until today. I'm astounded by all these amazing stories and would love to hear more.

I knew parrots were clever little buggers before I brought Kermit home, but nothing quite prepares you for the reality. I had parakeets before when I was younger, but I didn't invest as much time into their socialization as I did with Kermit. I'm amazed how aware they are -- not to say a dog isn't, but something about being seen by a parrot makes me feel like they have something interesting to say. I'm fascinated by how they perceive the world, and how much I can learn if I listen. I love the idea of integrating language more into their daily lives ! GCC aren't as pervasive talkers and Kermit seems to be at her upper limit of what most approximate their vocabulary (6-10 words), but I still love testing those boundaries. Right now we're working on recognizing and retrieving colored circles -- I haven't seen if anyone has succeeded in that kind of work with them (and can find, sadly, very little research in mapping out their intelligence/perception compared to more classic examples like cockatoos or greys), but certainly enjoy finding out. I think Kermit is probably a good deal smarter than I give her credit for, but I'm sadly an inconsistent trainer (I struggle with regular training sessions).
 

bigfellasdad

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Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
when I start cleaning her cage I swear she's trying to help me !

In the morning, i usually have a quick tidy around in the kitchen, starting with brushing the floor, Enzo flies to the worktops and if anything is not bolted down she will throw it on the floor. She probably thinks she is helping but invariably she is not.

some great stories on here.
 

Tami2

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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
I knew parrots were clever little buggers before I brought Kermit home, but nothing quite prepares you for the reality.

I researched for years before I bought Levi, that statement is so true.
When I used to lurk around this Forum before getting Levi, I was very surprised how many parrot owners would (as I saw it) try to discourage a new person from entering into the parrot world.
Than, the reality after bringing him home, was enlightening to say the least.
I had two Labs and 2 cats for most of my life. And I can honestly say, hands down that Levi if definitely more work. Even though I put the time in and they were very well trained.
With Levi it’s more demanding b/c there is so much more to consider. His sensitivity, his wariness towards the unknown, his intellect, it’s actually like having another person in the house. I’m always respectful of his feelings and I’m aware that he’s always watching and learning.
So, when we (as I do it now myself) are trying to convey how much work is involved to a prospective new parrot owner this is why.
The comment, it’s nothing like having a dog or cat is completely accurate.


That’s funny, I can totally picture Enzo doing that. lol :)

Levi will throw/drop something on the floor just to prompt a reaction out of me. It’s true, he’ll knock something off the counter and than he’ll wait and just look at me. If I do not react, he’ll say, “whoopsie.” Ha.

The other day, my son was in the living room and he burped. Levi was in the kitchen playing on his ropes & I heard, “excuse you.” Hahaha 😄

They are so incredibly smart, it’s awesome!!
 

Sandy19

Member
Mar 22, 2017
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Peanut can only say two words, but she uses them in context. Ut-oh and no. She loves to knock things on the ground and whether it's intentional or an accident she says ut-oh afterwards. She also loves to do things she's not supposed to like chew the buttons off my car remote for example. When I tell her to give me back my keys she tells me no. And her voice is so cute, she sounds like a bratty two year old when she says it.
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
When I first got my cockatoo (a re-homed bird), I had something weird happen...I was cleaning her cage, and she said "what?" , I said, "cleaning your cage liner" and then with completely human inflection, she looked at me and said, "thank you". I have never been thanked since, but it was crazy---when I tell this story to people who don't have parrots, they tend to prefer "creepy" as their adjective of choice. ..especially because she doesn't say "Thank you"..I guess it was a one-time deal but it was clear as day.


Also, more recently, my very long-term relationship (5 years) with my boyfriend came to an end (mutually). I knew it was coming, so for 2 days before the "talk" I was crying and a mess. My bird saw this but it didn't change her behavior. Then, on the day we were inevitably going to have the break-up talk, something crazy happened. Again---I had been upset before and my bird didn't show extra love....So, on the day of the break-up talk, I had been texting my ex to confirm that he would be coming to chat after he was done with work. My bird did not hear him or know he was coming because there were no actual phone conversations. Within the 5-10 minutes prior to his arrival, my bird (sitting on my arm) looked me in the eye and began to repeatedly say, "I love you". Now, she knows this phrase, but she doesn't say it often at all, and she only says it to people she really likes (and she has to have known them for awhile). I had heard it from her 1 time in the past 2 months, but on that day, she said it 7 + times IN A ROW, just minutes before I was about to have a really really sad conversation...and I wasn't acting sad at the time either.


I think many parrots are like semi-psychic toddlers with a touch of Autism....No offense intended....Again, I know and love many kids and adults with Autism, and I don't think it is as bad as many people make it out to be (it is difficult and unfair at times, but like a gift at others).



It's just crazy because my bird generally is very ego-centric, but always smart, and I have no idea how she knew to say that phrase repeatedly when I needed to hear it (normally, it is all about her, but this was a HUGE deal in my life)...Anyway, she hasn't said it since, and it isn't like my heart-rate was higher than it was days prior when I was crying all over the place and getting no reaction. I don't think I am projecting. I think parrots are VERY human at times.
 
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Sandy19

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Mar 22, 2017
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I don't really know how this came about, but when Peanut steps up on my hand I ask her "who's mama's tiger" and she puffs herself up, shakes her head, ruffles her feathers and lets out a purring sound. She does not know what a tiger is, but apparently this is what she thinks one would do lol.
 

Laurasea

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Aug 2, 2018
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Full house
There is a book called Are We Smart enough To Know How Smart Animals Are! You might enjoy. I found on Kindle and Amazon.
 

Anansi

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Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
...Right now we're working on recognizing and retrieving colored circles -- I haven't seen if anyone has succeeded in that kind of work with them (and can find, sadly, very little research in mapping out their intelligence/perception compared to more classic examples like cockatoos or greys), but certainly enjoy finding out...

I've posted these before, but it's been a while and as you've asked specifically about birds retrieving colored circles... take a peek.

[ame="https://youtu.be/nzu8ant7KR8"]https://youtu.be/nzu8ant7KR8[/ame]

[ame="https://youtu.be/htMxgQtYk3Q"]https://youtu.be/htMxgQtYk3Q[/ame]

This was when we were only working on 2 colors. Jolly is now able to discern between 3: red, blue and yellow. Maya is not quite as interested in the rings game, so she is still working on 2.
 

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