<h5>How did scientists teach parrots to video call each other?</h5><p>Anyone can experience loneliness. When people are feeling lonely, they might call or video chat with friends and family. 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. During the first two weeks of the study, owners taught their birds to ring a bell. After ringing the bell, they had to tap an image of another pet parrot on a tablet screen to begin a video call.</p><p>The second part of the experiment began after the birds learned how to start video calls. During this time, the parrots chose the bird they wanted to call. The owners of the parrots recorded videos of their pets calling other parrots. The researchers then examined the videos.</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>In the wild, parrots live in big groups. But these birds are mostly left alone when kept as pets. When bored and alone, some parrots self-harm by pulling out their feathers.</p><p>Lonely parrots are unhappy. That's why they were chosen for this experiment so they could communicate with one another. Parrots are also intelligent creatures that can learn how to make different sounds and “speak”. Therefore, 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 study found that parrots could communicate with and recognise one another during video calls. They often stayed on the call for a long time. Some parrots even learned new skills, such as flying and making new sounds, from their friends whom they video-chatted with. They also sang, played, and showed each other their toys (how cute!).</p><p>The birds also formed close friendships with certain parrots, just like how you have a “best friend”. This was seen by how many times one bird wanted to call the same bird. 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>Many parrots cannot be physically close to other birds as they can spread diseases among them. So, these birds can video call other birds. Two sick, old male macaws took part in this study. They had never seen another macaw. So, they formed an instant friendship and sang and danced together.</p><p>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

Hootcoins are not available for this article!

Automakers Admit That Drivers Hate Touchscreens

Heat Resistant and Compostable Plastic Wrap is Here

Starship Explodes Soon After Launch

Parrots Can Video Call Each Other

Hootcoins are not available for this article!

Did you read these articles?

Automakers Admit That Drivers Hate Touchscreens

Heat Resistant and Compostable Plastic Wrap is Here

Starship Explodes Soon After Launch