PHOENIX AND ALTAIRA
LITTLE 2VOK IS IN THE BACKGROUND
PHOENIX (male) and ALTAIRA (female) are African Grey Parrots, subspecies Congo.
These two parrots have quite different personalities and use the English language quite differently . While both exhibit intelligence, their response to the world about them is noticeably different. Before we begin a discussion about intelligence in parrots lets talk about science and the empirical method just a bit.
The discussion to follow is SUBJECTIVE in nature; that is, the observations are the opinions of the human companion of these parrots and no effort has been made to empirically evaluate the abilities and performance of these birds. Scientific evaluation of these parrots would require a controlled environment and an observation program consistent with accepted scientific methods. What might be the basic requirements of the scientific method and empirical evaluation?
To begin with the Scientific method, there is first a hypothesis, an idea or thought such that if we do X, Y will happen, or if we measure X and its counterparts, we can determine why Y happens. The hypothesis is developed into a theory where the techniques and means to methodically evaluate the problem or concern at hand is refined. Science mandates that theories be developed so that the techniques and methods used in the evaluations will produce similar and comparable results when the experiment is repeated. For a theory to become accepted by the scientific community the theory must be able to be evaluated by other researchers and experiment must produce the same result when other researchers evaluate the same problem or concern. In short, peer evaluation of papers and experiments are a required part of any valid scientific effort. One's peers must be able to reproduce the results of the original investigator if a theory is to become accepted as valid science.
The empirical method is the system of evaluation we use to validate theory. The empirical method is devoid of emotion, blind faith, assumption, and requires peer review. While scientist have some degree of "faith" that they will acquire results from their experiments, that faith does not predetermine the outcome of experiments and evaluations. The empirical method requires the application of accurate and methodical measurement and observation of the subject at hand and in most cases employs the use of a control element, such as the placebo used in medical evaluations. The empirical method requires a controlled environment so that unknowns and outside influences are eliminated or minimized to an acceptable value. The control of the experimental environment is a difficult and complicated problem. It is said that in science, we effect that which we observe, and that is of particular concern when we evaluate ourselves, as in the psychology of human behavior, or in the evaluation of other life forms, in this case parrots. In these cases, if the observer is not careful, the laboratory environment itself can become a factor that will change the results of the experiment and the evaluation.Those observations that are not methodical or not under somewhat controlled conditions are usually classified as subjective or as opinions, but these are often times the beginning of a hypothesis that leads to a theory that begins a valid scientific evaluation. Alex Grey Parrot for example is a science parrot who is participating in a scientific evaluation of non-human intelligence.
A SUBJECTIVE DISCUSSION OF PARROT INTELLIGENCE AND BEHAVIOR
Phoenix Grey Parrot stands at the head of the class around here and he can be startling in his use of the English language. Altaira on the other hand seems less apt at "putting it together" so to speak. Although Altaira can speak English words and phrases quite clearly she hasn't developed the level of apparent understanding demonstrated by Phoenix. Why is there such a noticeable difference between these two bird of the same species? It is doubtful that age is a factor even though Phoenix is twice as old as Altaira. The most likely factor might well be the environment in which they were raised. Phoenix has a somewhat aloof and dignified personality while Altaira displays a much more shy and cuddly personality. Both Phoenix and Altaira are captive bred, hand raised parrots. Phoenix was raised by a human male while Altaira was raised by a human female unknown to this observer. Altaira was taken from a pet shop when she was about eight months of age; Phoenix on the other hand has been resident with this observer since he was about 7 weeks old. Neither of these two parrots have been "trained" or taught specific responses in anyway; their actions and responses are their own adaptation to the world in which they live. This is why this article is titled "Learning with Parrots"; it is about a learning experience shared by parrots and their human companion. It is about being open minded enough to try to understand and respect the intelligence of a non-human species.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
Anthropomorphism; its a dreaded term, one with which scientist like to beat us about the head and shoulders when we talk about and speculate upon animal intelligence. In its short definition, anthropomorphism, means applying human qualities to non-human life forms. If we imply that parrots "think" we are being antropomorphic and perhaps emotional, as far as many in the scientific community are concerned. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are without question anthropomorphic figments of the human imagination, but as any owner of an African Grey Parrot can tell you, implying that parrots think, is not viewed by many parrot owners as being anthropomorphic; it is a subjective observation at the very least. The bottom line --- Parrots think!
JUDGING AND EVALUATING NON-HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.
It is fair and valid to test and evaluate humans against humans in the effort to evaluate a level of intelligence in our species. However, even there things can get rather murky. The attempt to compare the intelligence of a New York Stock Exchange broker to that of an African native pygmy must indeed be a monumental task for the scientific world. Put that stock broker in the pygmy's world and wait to see how long before he becomes something's lunch or place a pygmy in the midst of the New York Stock Exchange --- sorry, its not that simple.
It is perhaps less fair to evaluate a non-human against the human standard of intelligence. If Yoko gorilla gets it wrong fifty percent of the time does than mean she is failing? One might consider how many gorilla grunts and signs a human might learn and use in return. It is a little ridicules to expect a parrot or an ape to learn calculus or build cities, that is hardly a fair measure of intelligence, but if we respectfully give credit to the non-human's effort to communicate with humans or use tools in its own world we have a different vantage point. We know that some birds use tools, and that some have developed innovative ways at gaining access to food sources. Though these may be subtle indications of intelligence they are real and their value is dependent upon the scale by which they are measured. The evaluation of non-human intelligence is something that is in its infancy and is scoffed at by some scientist of the day. A part of the problem may be that humankind is resistant to changing its view that it is the only intelligent species on the planet. The science of evaluating intelligence in non-human species will improve with time perhaps. A gentleman once stated, "We are not necessarily the most intelligent species on the planet; we are just the most technologically advanced."
THOUGHT PROCESSES IN THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT
Do parrots think? The answer to that question may well be yes. Experience here indicates that the African Grey Parrot has a rather good memory and that they are quite observant about what goes on in their surroundings. Recently while cleaning the parrot cages, clean bottom trays of pine shavings were being placed in the cages. Phoenix Grey Parrot was on top of his cage watching the work underway. A clean tray was placed in Pax Parrot's cage, then in Gremil Green Byrd's cage. As the tray was being placed into Phoenix's cage he looked at it and said, "Looks OK." Do other parrots think or plan ahead? Consider "Sundance", known also as, "The fastest beak in the west." Sundance is a scarlet macaw who is very apt at putting his head down as if to be petted, and then nailing you with a needle sharp beak; its the old bait and stab trick.
Phoenix is very apt at understanding time based routines. In the evening when the water bowls are changed, the room swept etc., Phoenix will begin, "Ok, little birdies, time to go to bed, and "Phoenix gonna go good night." In this case he is talking to the smaller Love Birds in the room. He will also tell the little birdies, "In birdies." One might consider these incidents rather non-thinking responses but consider the following.
LEAKY WINDOW
During a heavy rain the drain hole in the a window was plugged up causing the window to leak water to the inside. Phoenix Grey Parrot, in the bird room, could see me rushing around gathering tools (the leaking window was in another room).
Phoenix: "Hey Reg, watcha doing?" "Hey Reg." I replied, "Gotta fix the window Phoenix." After a few minutes Phoenix could hear the drill motor and the noise where upon he inquired, "What's going on in there?" Phoenix uses a very clear and easily understandable voice.
DON'T PUNCH
Phoenix Grey Parrot likes to punch holes in things. As I was
covering the birds for the night Phoenix was punching holes in
the cover for Gremil Green Byrd's cage. I spoke to Phoenix saying.
"Phoenix, DON"T punch!" Phoenix turned and looked
at me with that Grey Parrot glare and replied, "DON'T say!"
I for one am sure parrots, ponder, consider, and think.
Altaira Grey Parrot on the other hand is not as proficient at "getting it correct" or using English phrases at the appropriate time. However, one she does get correct is, "Gonna get the little birdie." when the little birds are somewhat resistant to going in on request. A possible cause and effect of Altaira not being as proficient as Phoenix may well be a result of her earlier environment and how she was handled. It is clear that she was treated very kindly as she tends to be a very cuddly parrot and enjoys being held close. It may have been that she did not receive as much verbal interaction in the manner as did Phoenix. It is suspected that Altaira's English usage ability could match that of Phoenix's if more time was spent working with her on a one on one basis; her ability to pronounce English words is equal to that of Phoenix's.
Meet Alex, the African Grey Parrot from the Land Down Under,
She's quite
a bird!
USING THE BARTER SYSTEM
On a Saturday afternoon, Mum bought us ice creams
just as a treat. Naturally, sitting in front of the birds wasn't
a good idea as they REALLY wanted to share. They were each given
a small taste, just as a treat, but apparently that wasn't enough
for Alex.
Gandalf
is quite the bird; he was accidentally let out of the house and
lived in the wilds of California for four months before being
recovered and returned to his home with Heather and James.
