According to a recent study conducted by the University of Glasgow and Northeastern University, video calls with other parrots helped reduce isolation and boredom in pet parrots.
The study, which included 18 pet parrots, discovered that after being given a tablet to make video calls to other birds, parrots engaged in more social behavior, such as singing, preening, and playing.
Video Call to Replicate Wild Flocks
Pet parrots are frequently kept alone or in small groups, which can result in behavioral issues such as rocking, pacing, and feather plucking.
The study discovered that video calling replicated some of the social benefits of living in a flock, which is common in many parrot species in the wild.
A report from The Guardian covering the same bizarre study tells us that the birds were sourced from Parrot Kindergarten, an online coaching and educational program for parrot owners and their pets.
What Happens When a Parrot Gets a Tablet
With the help of their owners, the birds first learned to ring a bell and then touch a photo of another bird on the screen of a tablet device to initiate a call to that bird.
The parrots were given the option of calling a "friend" from a touchscreen tablet, and the study found that the parrots who called other birds the most frequently were the most popular choices.
The study, which examined over 1,000 hours of footage, discovered that the parrots appeared to understand that they were interacting with other birds.
Their behavior during video calls mirrored that seen during in-person interactions. Owners also took detailed notes on the birds' behavior during the calls, which the researchers later reviewed.
Video Calling Reduces Boredom in Parrots?
According to Dr. Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, a co-author of the study, video calls helped many people feel less isolated during the pandemic, and the study aimed to investigate whether pet parrots could benefit from video calling as well.
The team cites approximately 20 million pet parrots in the United States, and the researchers wanted to see if video calling could help reduce isolation and boredom in pet parrots.
The study's findings suggest that video calling could effectively improve pet parrots' social behavior and lower their risk of developing psychological problems. All of the study participants said they enjoyed the experience and would like to use the system with their parrots again in the future.
Are Mobile Devices Harmful to Birds?
A 2020 study by Indian researchers looked at how electromagnetic fields and radiation from cellular phone base stations affect bird species, and the results were startling.
According to the study, these radiations harm bird species and are causing a decline in bird diversity. The study suggests that people should pay attention to this issue and find ways to protect bird species while continuing to use cellular phones and base stations.
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