Parrots are known for their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech. But just how smart are they compared to other animals? Let’s take a look at parrot intelligence and what makes these colorful birds so clever.
Parrot Brains
Parrots have relatively large brains compared to their body size. The brain-to-body mass ratio of some parrot species is equal to that of higher primates like chimpanzees. Their large brains allow parrots to perform complex cognitive tasks.
The areas of the parrot brain associated with higher-order thinking are well developed. The cerebrum region, responsible for intelligence, is large in parrots. Within the cerebrum, the cortex region handles complex cognitive functions like learning, memory, and problem-solving. Parrots have a large cortex compared to other bird species, with some areas being as advanced as primates.
Advanced Intelligence
Many tests have been done to understand parrot intelligence. Results show they perform just as well as apes and crows on some complex cognitive tests.
Counting Ability
Parrots have demonstrated the ability to count up to six objects and even recognize number symbols. An African grey parrot named Alex was able to add numbers together to come up with the total number of objects shown.
Communication Skills
Parrots can develop large vocabularies of over 100 words with understanding of the meaning behind them. The famous African grey parrot Alex had a vocabulary of over 100 words and could identify 50 different objects. He understood categories like shape, color, and material.
Solve Puzzles
Parrots are adept puzzle solvers. When presented with a puzzle box containing a treat, they can quickly figure out how to open different compartments to access the reward inside. This shows their ability to reason through a novel problem.
Distinguish Colors, Shapes, Textures
Parrots can differentiate between colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. Some parrots can even combine these properties. For example, they can identify a blue triangle or a red square. This advanced level of abstraction demonstrates intelligence on par with primates.
Use Tools
Some parrots will spontaneously use tools in the wild. For example, the Goffin cockatoo uses sticks to reach food that is otherwise inaccessible. Parrots can also be trained to use tools in captivity. Their ability to understand how tools work and use them to solve problems is rare in the animal kingdom.
Social Intelligence
Parrots have evolved impressive social smarts. Developing complex social relationships and communicating effectively are signs of intelligence.
Social Learning
Parrots learn quickly through observing each other. New foraging techniques, calls, and other behaviors spread rapidly through parrot social groups. Being able to learn socially shows an aptitude with processing and mimicking information.
Cooperative Breeding
Many parrot species demonstrate cooperative breeding, where non-parent birds help raise young. This requires the coordination and problem-solving with other birds typical of intelligent, socially-adept species.
Communication Skills
Parrots are excellent vocal mimics and can reproduce many natural and human-made sounds. Some species like the African grey parrot have shown they know what sounds mean and use them appropriately in context. Their communication abilities are on par with apes who use sign language.
Bonding
Parrots form close bonds with mates, families, and even human owners. Their ability to have affectionate relationships shows emotional depth typical of smarter creatures. The strong social connections parrots make appear to be underpinned by intelligence.
Memory and Learning Abilities
Studies testing parrots’ memory provide insight into their intellectual capacities. Parrots can remember complex information for years on end, demonstrating exceptional cognitive abilities.
Information Retention
Parrots are capable of retaining large amounts of information in their long-term memory. Some parrots have shown they can remember words, numbers, faces, and other stimuli for decades after being exposed to them only briefly. Their information retention ability is similar to humans and primates.
Abstract Learning
Parrots can grasp abstract concepts and make inferences based on prior knowledge and experiences. For example, some parrots understand categories like “same” and “different” when comparing groups of objects. Being able to understand abstract ideas shows advanced cognitive skills.
Mimicry
Parrots don’t just mimic sounds, but actually comprehend and appropriately apply words and phrases they learn. Their mimicry is a sign of intelligence since it requires understanding of meaning behind the sounds. Some parrots creatively combine words they know to form new phrases.
Object Permanence
Parrots understand that objects continue to exist even when out of sight, known as object permanence. If you hide food under a cup in front of a parrot, it knows to lift the cup to find the treat. Object permanence usually doesn’t develop until later in human children.
Reasoning Abilities
Parrots display many behaviors associated with higher-order thinking. Their ability to reason demonstrates the complexity of their intelligence.
Insightful Problem Solving
When confronted with puzzles and problems, parrots will often display sudden comprehension of how to solve them. For example, spontaneously pulling a lever to release a treat. This type of insightful, improvised understanding requires advanced cognition.
Imaginative Play
Parrots engage in imagination and make-believe when playing alone. Some parrots talk to pretend friends, act out imagined scenarios with toys, and display creativity beyond rote mimicking. The ability to pretend requires separating fantasy from reality.
Planning
Parrots seem capable of concocting plans and executing them successfully to achieve a goal. For instance, working together to distract a guard parrot to sneak food. Being able to conceive and follow through with plans indicates orderly, logical thinking.
Deception
There are many anecdotes of parrots tricking each other and even humans to get what they want. For example, acting injured to solicit attention then attacking another parrot. The ability to deceive shows an understanding of how others think and behave.
How Do Parrots Compare to Other Intelligent Species?
Researchers have compared parrot intelligence to a range of species. Parrots match or exceed the performance of many smart animals on cognitive tests.
Primates
Parrots can perform just as well as apes and monkeys on tests of insight, problem-solving, object manipulation, and vocabulary. Some parrots have cognitive skills on par with higher primates like chimpanzees.
Dolphins
Like dolphins, parrots recognize themselves in mirrors and associate with reflections. Both species show similar levels of self-awareness considered a hallmark of intelligence.
Crows
Crows are considered among the most intelligent birds. Parrots and crows have comparable cognitive abilities when it comes to counting, tool use, social learning, memory, and vocal mimicry.
Dogs
Dogs can learn a variety of words and commands, but their vocabulary is limited compared to parrots. Parrots understand the meanings behind hundreds of words and use them appropriately in novel situations.
| Species | Intelligence Benchmark | Parrot Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzees | Tool use mastery by age 3 | Goffin cockatoos master complex tool use in months |
| Orangutans | Distinguish colors, shapes, materials | African greys can categorize up to 50 objects by properties |
| Dolphins | Self-recognition in mirrors | Same self-awareness demonstrated in magpies & parrots |
| Crows | Use tools in wild | Some cockatoos use tools like crows do |
| Dogs | Learn meaning of ~165 words | Alex the parrot learned over 100 words with comprehension |
What Makes Parrots So Smart?
Researchers have identified key factors underlying parrot intelligence:
Social Complexity
Many parrot species have large social groups and long-term monogamous bonds. This social complexity requires greater cognitive skills like communication, cooperation, and manipulation.
Opposable Toes
Parrots have nimble toes that allow them to grasp and manipulate objects much like primates do with hands. This dexterity lets them interact with their environment in complex ways.
Psittacine Brain
Parrots have distinct regions in their brains compared to other birds, like an enlarged cerebrum. These specialized neural networks support advanced cognition.
Long Lifespans
Parrots are long-lived, with some species surviving 60-80 years. Their longevity allows time to accumulate knowledge and experiences that can compound intelligence.
Omnivorous Diet
Parrots eat diverse diets of seeds, nuts, fruit, buds, and some insects. An omnivorous diet provides important nutrients for growing large, powerful brains.
Parenting Style
Parrot parents engage actively in “brain building” by providing a stimulating environment and diverse learning opportunities for chicks. This helps foster cognitive growth.
Conclusion
When all evidence is considered, parrots demonstrate intellectual abilities rivalling primates in many areas. Their large brains, advanced cognition, social smarts, long-term memory, and reasoning skills are on par with humankind’s closest relatives. While parrots likely don’t possess the most complex forms of human intelligence, their impressive sensory, technical, and analytical abilities prove these birds are far brighter than once thought. So next time you see a parrot, remember you are looking at one of the smartest creatures on the planet.