<h5>How did scientists teach parrots to video call each other?</h5><p>Loneliness is a universal experience that can affect everyone, regardless of one’s age, gender, or even species. Humans can call or video chat with friends and family when they feel lonely. But what about pet parrots? Even they can feel lonely, stuck in their cages. New research says parrots can benefit from video calling one another.</p><p>Researchers from Northeastern University, the University of Glasgow, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted this experiment. They took the help of 18 volunteers. However, 3 of them dropped out. During the first two weeks of the study, owners taught their birds to ring a bell.</p><p>After ringing the bell, they were required to touch an image of another pet parrot on a tablet screen to establish a video conversation. The second part of the experiment began after the birds learned how to start video calls. During this time, the parrots were allowed to choose and call whichever bird they preferred.</p><p>The owners of the parrots recorded video footage of the parrots doing video calls. The researchers then examined these videos to gather data about the experiment.</p><h5>Why were parrots chosen for this experiment?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <iframe width="100%" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YLNIG9kqxXg" title="Ellie the Parrot" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <figcaption>A parrot doing a video call. Video by Northeastern University.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>Parrots live in groups in the wild. However, when kept as pets in people's homes, these birds are frequently left alone. They may develop mental health issues. Some even resort to self-harming behaviours, such as pulling out their feathers if they are bored and alone.</p><p>Lonely parrots are unhappy parrots. That’s why researchers selected them for this experiment so that these parrots could connect with each other. Also, parrots are intelligent creatures that can imitate sounds and words. So they could be taught how to do video calls easily.</p><h5>What did the researchers learn from this experiment?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/parrots-can-video-call-each-other%2Fparrots-video-call-each-other.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=ce86f671-a46b-4c7e-8352-6aafa16a24d6" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>A recording of a parrot doing a video call. Video by Northeastern University.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>The researchers found that the parrots took advantage of the opportunity to call one another. They often stayed on the call for a long time. The birds also realised there was another bird on the opposite side of the screen. They did not think that it was a recorded video.</p><p>Some parrots picked up new skills, such as flying, making new sounds, etc., from their companions whom they video-called with. Some would sing, others would play, while some showed another bird their toys (how cute!). The birds also formed deep friendships with certain parrots. This was highlighted by how often one bird wanted to call the same bird.</p><p>Some birds even formed bonds with the human caretakers of their friends.</p><h5>How can this experiment help?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/parrots-can-video-call-each-other%2Fparrots-video-call-using-a-phone%20(1).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=a792128d-0d93-4887-814b-396876a021f5"><figcaption>A parrot is happy while doing a video call. Photo by Northeastern University.</figcaption></figure><p>There are many parrots who cannot be physically close to other birds. Diseases are common among certain species and could spread from one another. So, these birds can video call other birds.</p><p>Two sick, elderly male macaws took part in this study. They had never seen another macaw before. So, they created an instant bond and danced and sang together. The findings of this experiment show that video calls can improve the quality of life of a pet parrot.</p>

Scientists have found parrots can benefit from seeing each other on a video call.

Parrots Can Video Call Each Other

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Parrots Can Video Call Each Other

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