Brainy Parrots Can Think Like 4-Year-Olds

When one parrot, named Awisa, saw two different types of food placed in a cup and later saw a researcher show her one of the types of food, she figured out that the researcher must have removed the food from one of the cups, leaving the other snack undisturbed. About 75 percent of the time, Awisa picked the undisturbed cup as the one that would contain a food treat. Credit: © Sandra Mikolasch

Parrots are capable of logical leaps, according to a new study in which a gray parrot named Awisa used reasoning to figure out where a bit of food was hidden.

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Bird is the word: Cookie the Cockatoo turns 78 at Brookfield Zoo, birthday celebration on June 25

Cookie the Cockatoo's 78th birthday is celebrated on June 25, 2011 at Brookfield Zoo. The average life-span is between 40 and 60 years for cockatoos kept in captivity

Brookfield, Ill. — Bird lovers of all ages can flock to Brookfield Zoo and join in the 78th birthday celebration for the zoo’s oldest resident — Cookie, a Major Mitchell’s cockatoo — on Saturday, June 25. 

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Crow vs. Parrot: Who’s the Wisest in All the Land?

In a cognitive show-down between two of the most intelligent bird species—the New Zealand kea and the New Caledonian crow—which would win? New research put these species to the test, comparing their ability to quickly solve puzzles and adapt to obstacles. As it turns out, the answer is a bit more complicated that you’d expect.

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Nature Report: Yellow-headed parrots

Yellow headed amazon (Amazona oratrix) in Stuttgart, GermanyIt's time for the afternoon feeding and the male yellow-headed parrot has just arrived at the nest cavity in an old palm. After a brief look around, he slowly makes his way down into the hollow to feed the young.

As he disappears, the female alights at the opening and peers warily about. The sharp eyed parent seems unwilling to enter without first making sure no potential predator is watching.

Finally, she determines the coast is clear and carefully descends to join her mate. After several minutes the male emerges, his bill stained with the remains of the meal he has just regurgitated for the young.

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Bird Lovers Want Harlingen as Avian Sanctuary

Red-crowned parrots frequent Harlingen Texas. Officials in Harlingen are expected to consider an ordinance this summer that aims to prevent the illegal capture and sale of certain wild birds and establish the city as an avian sanctuary.

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