These Parrots Can Make Other Parrots 'Laugh'–a First | Hacker News Reader

These Parrots Can Make Other Parrots 'Laugh'–a First

news.nationalgeographic.com

54 pointsazuajef12 comments

Well, just one data point but I showed the video to my parrot and he seemed unimpressed. He does like the old videos of the parrot Alex at MIT using tools to get treats.

Anyway parrots are amazing animals, but unless you have lots of time to play with them, don't get one for a pet. I spend over an hour a day interacting and playing with our parrot.

A family friend had a wonderful little parrot, and in a family of four that all loved this bird, he got 3+ hours of play every day. I've never met a happier bird, chattering all of the time, always gently grooming and never nipping. Big, big brains on that little guy, he definitely got to know people and had favorites, and developed some pretty complex behaviors.

I'd just add that in addition to your excellent advice, that some parrots can be a lifetime investment too (or even beyond, i.e. you need to provide for them in your will!).

100% agree. The most likely understandable metaphor for non bird owners is that parrots are like people trapped in another body. They need nearly constant mental stimulation and are very often unknowingly mistreated by being ignored.

> my parrot and he seemed unimpressed

Probably like hearing a joke in an unfamiliar language.

I was pretty surprised to learn that some of them have human lifespans - 50 years and up.

I had never even assumed that an animal that small could live that long.

What advice do you have for someone who didn't realize this, purchased one, and couldn't fulfill this need of the parrot? Whats the best way to proceed for the parrot?

I don't know. A big problem with giving a parrot to a new owner is that parrots imprint on their human owners and will never really adapt to new owners. That said, I have met people who keep many birds, like a sanctuary, that have been abandoned.

Beak and Brains: Genius Birds From Down Under on Netflix is a great feature on Keas if you haven't seen it.

There are also many videos on YouTube about them: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kea+parrot

BBC made a 30min documentary "Kea the Smartest Parrot" about the birds, but unfortunately it has been removed from YouTube. There are some clips still there... and if you look hard enough you can still find it somewhere on the internet.

First crows, now parrots.. seems like high end primates assume wrong too often.

Too often compared to what?

Have you seen the parrot's and crow's assumption track record?

I assumed zero.

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