New study finds engagement with parrots and technology

Parrots, along with the species related to them, are found to be the most intelligent birds in the world with about the intellect of a small child. In March 2024, researchers established that parrots can use technology, such as tablets, to further their brain power and induce mental stimulation. 

During this study, researchers collected 20 parrots and designed a balloon-popping game on a tablet that immediately caught the bird's curiosity and showed their seemingly dynamic understanding of technology through their participation. While observing the birds, however, the researchers found that their physique created a challenging situation in which they had to keep backing up to view the tablet to locate the next balloon. 

Despite any trouble the parrots had, this intrigued researchers even more as they now want to create bird-friendly tablets. According to CNN and Rébecca Kleinberger, an assistant professor of humanities and voice technology at Northeastern University in Boston, “A lot of animals in managed care, in zoos, in homes, interact with technology daily. They see the screens that we use. Sometimes they use some as toys,” Thus, even though it was noticed that certain animals do engage in technology, there have not been a lot of specific studies on how these animals will immerse themselves if allowed to work closely with them. 

The distinct aspects of the study included the birds interacting with a touch screen tablet for 30 minutes a day. While the technology sparked the interest of 17 of the 20 birds in the study, the other three had separate issues that challenged the researchers. Out of the three birds, two gave up eventually due to a lack of interest, while the other one displayed signs of nervousness and distress. Additionally, certain birds were very accurate with the tablet game as they popped the balloons while others missed the target and seemed confused. 

While it could be surprising and exciting for some individuals or parrot owners to involve their animals in the tablet games, researchers make it known that this study is not meant to show that parrots should be left alone with the tablet; it “[should] be collaborative between the owner and the bird.” If parrot owners do feel that they want to involve themselves and their pets with technology, researchers state that there should always be a focus on the bird's behavior and there should be a detailed schedule ensuring that they do not use the tablet for elongated periods. 

Following this study, it seems that there will be more research and more studies examining the intellectualism of parrots and their full potential. Furthermore, researchers want to specify that the tablet games and improvements in technology are not for parrot owners or experimenters, but for the birds’ “own well-being…rather than systems that are used to reduce the interaction that we as humans need to provide them.” While a study about intelligent animals may be intriguing, it is warned by both researchers and individuals that they should not be treated as experiments but as living creatures.

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons