Kea parrots in New Zealand produce a unique sound, which, as revealed in a new research, is similar to human laughter in terms of the response of playfulness among the birds of the same group.
Revealing the rare attribute of the bird, a study asserted that the kea parrot is the first known non-mammal to possess such an ability for an infectious call.
The research verified the reaction to the play call in triggering emotions and playfulness in other birds. It called for more study on the "avian laugh" considering the anthropomorphic attributes of the call.
The study published in Current Biology explains the playfulness of the bird in producing the laughter-like sound and the distinct reaction it evokes in the bird group.
In New Zealand, keas are called "the clown of the mountain" for their intelligence and playfulness. They mostly live in alpine areas and are very mischievous.
Different From Warbling Sound
According to scientists, the sound produced by keas is different from the normal warbling sounds they usually make while playing with fellow birds or when being alone as an expression of pleasure.
In ascertaining the emotional connect and content of the play calls by keas, the researchers recorded the sounds and played it to wild keas residing in Arthur's Pass National Park. Aside from the play calls, the recordings included normal kea calls and the call of the South Island robin as control sounds.
To their surprise, the researchers noted that the wild kea reacted to the play calls and showed clear expressions of fun and elation compared to other calls.
"We were able to use a playback of these calls to show that it animates kea that was not playing to do so," said Raoul Schwing of the Messerli Research Institute in Austria.
Emotional Effect Like Laughter
Schwing said the kea's play call did not make the other birds join others who are already playing, which means it wasn't an invitation to play. Rather, the play sound made them more emotionally relaxed, jovial, and playful.
"The fact that at least some of these birds started playing spontaneously when no other birds had been playing suggests that similar to human laughter, it had an emotional effect on the birds that heard it, putting them in a playful state," Schwing said.
The birds who heard the play call began playing with those who weren't playing, while others performed aerial acrobatics or engaged in solitary play with nearby objects.
Schwing said the infectious, laughter-like call required further study. It is also a reminder that humans are not as unique they are thought to be. He said if animals can laugh, then humans cannot claim to be very different from them.
Proof Of Social Nature
Endorsing the study's finding, a kea lover noted that it is an affirmation of the social nature of the bird.
"Although it is important not to anthropomorphize animal behavior, it is very clear that they are intelligent, social, and take pleasure in playing with each other," said Tamsin Orr-Walker, chair of the Kea Conservation Trust.
