Parrots are highly intelligent and sociable creatures, with needs so complex that when kept as pets, they often lack necessary social, cognitive, and emotional stimuli, according to National Public Radio. But as researchers recently found in an experiment with a group of 18 lonely parrots, video calls might be the perfect solution.
Study participants taught their pet parrots how to ring a bell to request a video chat with other birds in the experiment. Owners responded to the request by holding up a tablet or phone with pictures of other participating parrots, and the birds used their beaks or tongues to select a photo.
Researchers expected the birds to react to each other with aggressive behaviors, but the reality was much different — instead, the birds asked to call their new friends all the time, according to the New York Times. They quickly found favorite companions and sang, danced, groomed and mirrored each other through the screens, reproducing social behaviors commonly seen in groups and in the wild.
More research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of video calls for birds, but the scientists see plenty of long-term potential. And even though the experiment has ended, some of the birds still call their friends to hang out.