https://news.northeastern.edu/2023/04/21/parrots-talking-video-calls/ Skip to content * Contact Us * Faculty Experts * In the Press * Media Inquiries * Newsletter * Parents & Families * Mastodon * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Tiktok * Twitter * Youtube December 1, 2023 Parrots learn to make video calls to chat with other parrots, then develop friendships, Northeastern University researchers say * Search [ ] Search * Search [ ] Connect [ ] [ ] Subscribe Editor's Picks What are the differences between American and British Parliamentary styles of debating? Northeastern students prepare for the global stage Isaac Moloney wearing a suit and speaking into a microphone at the World Universities Debating Championship. What are the differences between American and British Parliamentary styles of debating? Northeastern students prepare for the global stage Geneva is the hub of world politics and Northeastern students are there learning how negotiations happen on a global scale Group of students posing for a photo outside in Geneva in between rows of flag poles. Geneva is the hub of world politics and Northeastern students are there learning how negotiations happen on a global scale Recent Stories Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives There's an app in the works for that: Northeastern student developing program to connect researchers and study participants There's an app in the works for that: Northeastern student developing program to connect researchers and study participants * University News * World News * Science & Technology * Arts & Entertainment * Business * Health * Law * Lifestyle * Society & Culture * Sports * Research * Magazine * Contact Us * Faculty Experts * In the Press * Media Inquiries * Newsletter * Parents & Families * University News Recent Stories Photos: Fall colors, Taylor Swift and lab experiments A person walks past foliage outside on a sunny day. Featured Photos: Fall colors, Taylor Swift and lab experiments [MicrosoftTeams-image-132] by Alyssa Stone December 1, 2023 They've founded successful companies, now they're shaping entrepreneurs at Northeastern's Oakland campus to 'make this world better' They've founded successful companies, now they're shaping entrepreneurs at Northeastern's Oakland campus to 'make this world better' November 30, 2023 Northeastern Dining prioritizes food options for students with allergies and dietary restrictions Northeastern Dining prioritizes food options for students with allergies and dietary restrictions November 28, 2023 * World News Recent Stories Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives Sandra Day O'Connor holding up a copy of the US Constitution. Featured Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives Headshot of Cyrus Moulton by Cyrus Moulton December 1, 2023 Why was it so hard to expel George Santos from Congress? Because the system is working as designed, legal expert says Why was it so hard to expel George Santos from Congress? Because the system is working as designed, legal expert says December 1, 2023 How should TikTok have handled the Osama bin Laden letter? How should TikTok have handled the Osama bin Laden letter? November 22, 2023 * Science & Technology Recent Stories Military AI: New book anticipates a world of 'killer robots' -- and the need to regulate them A blue and black-colored book titled "The AI Military Race" is suspended in the air in front of a blue background. Featured Military AI: New book anticipates a world of 'killer robots' -- and the need to regulate them [tanner-stening] by Tanner Stening December 1, 2023 Mainstream environmental nonprofits get the most philanthropic support, at the expense of diverse organizations, research says Mainstream environmental nonprofits get the most philanthropic support, at the expense of diverse organizations, research says November 29, 2023 'Experiential robotics' on display at Northeastern. New space inside EXP features systems that span the technological gamut 'Experiential robotics' on display at Northeastern. New space inside EXP features systems that span the technological gamut November 27, 2023 * Arts & Entertainment Recent Stories A Swiftie's 'Wildest Dreams' come true: Northeastern is offering a course on Taylor Swift Head shot of Catherine Fairfield over Taylor Swift's album cover. Featured A Swiftie's 'Wildest Dreams' come true: Northeastern is offering a course on Taylor Swift headshot of Erin Kayata by Erin Kayata November 30, 2023 Is Beyonce's Renaissance concert film a sign of things to come for movie theaters and the concert experience? Is Beyonce's Renaissance concert film a sign of things to come for movie theaters and the concert experience? November 30, 2023 This is the wild, tragic real life story behind Zac Efron's new wrestling movie, 'The Iron Claw' This is the wild, tragic real life story behind Zac Efron's new wrestling movie, 'The Iron Claw' November 28, 2023 * Business Recent Stories There's an app in the works for that: Northeastern student developing program to connect researchers and study participants A person types on a laptop that displays black text: "Exploro." Featured There's an app in the works for that: Northeastern student developing program to connect researchers and study participants [060822_AS_Alena_Kuzub_001-1] by Alena Kuzub December 1, 2023 They've founded successful companies, now they're shaping entrepreneurs at Northeastern's Oakland campus to 'make this world better' They've founded successful companies, now they're shaping entrepreneurs at Northeastern's Oakland campus to 'make this world better' November 30, 2023 Why office-to-housing conversions are more complicated than they sound Why office-to-housing conversions are more complicated than they sound November 21, 2023 * Health Recent Stories What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia? Nikolai Slavov's lab. Featured What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia? headshot of Erin Kayata by Erin Kayata December 1, 2023 Insecticide exposure linked to lower sperm count in adult males, Northeastern researcher finds Insecticide exposure linked to lower sperm count in adult males, Northeastern researcher finds November 27, 2023 What is the winter forecast for COVID-19? And should we expect a 'tripledemic' of COVID, flu and RSV? What is the winter forecast for COVID-19? And should we expect a 'tripledemic' of COVID, flu and RSV? November 21, 2023 * Law Recent Stories What does this $1.8 billion real estate lawsuit mean for homebuyers and sellers? A "sold" sale sign outside of a yellow house. Featured What does this $1.8 billion real estate lawsuit mean for homebuyers and sellers? headshot of Erin Kayata by Erin Kayata November 14, 2023 Why Meta could struggle to defend itself against 41 states (and D.C.) suing over Facebook, Instagram's alleged harm to kids Why Meta could struggle to defend itself against 41 states (and D.C.) suing over Facebook, Instagram's alleged harm to kids October 30, 2023 Biden's executive order on AI brings awareness to emerging technology but lacks 'teeth' to make major impact, Northeastern expert says Biden's executive order on AI brings awareness to emerging technology but lacks 'teeth' to make major impact, Northeastern expert says October 30, 2023 * Lifestyle Recent Stories Nike Dunks, Air Jordans, Yeezy slides: Huskick's club is all about sneakers collectible sneakers laid on their side Featured Nike Dunks, Air Jordans, Yeezy slides: Huskick's club is all about sneakers [mark-conti-1] by Mark Conti July 13, 2023 Video: The story and science behind Rupee Beer, a lager designed to be paired with Indian food Video: The story and science behind Rupee Beer, a lager designed to be paired with Indian food July 13, 2023 How to maximize your child's school vacation while beating the summer slide How to maximize your child's school vacation while beating the summer slide June 6, 2023 * Society & Culture Recent Stories Photos: Fall colors, Taylor Swift and lab experiments A person walks past foliage outside on a sunny day. Featured Photos: Fall colors, Taylor Swift and lab experiments [MicrosoftTeams-image-132] by Alyssa Stone December 1, 2023 Why do most women still take their husband's last name when getting married? Why do most women still take their husband's last name when getting married? November 30, 2023 Where do accents come from? Linguist explains why we talk the way we talk Where do accents come from? Linguist explains why we talk the way we talk November 30, 2023 * Sports Recent Stories This is the wild, tragic real life story behind Zac Efron's new wrestling movie, 'The Iron Claw' Screen capture of two wrestlers fighting in the wring in the 'Iron Claw' movie. Featured This is the wild, tragic real life story behind Zac Efron's new wrestling movie, 'The Iron Claw' [051722_AS_Cody_Klein_00195-e16528028892] by Cody Mello-Klein November 28, 2023 Big point guard, big expectations: Luka Sakota aims to lead Northeastern men's basketball into title contention Big point guard, big expectations: Luka Sakota aims to lead Northeastern men's basketball into title contention October 30, 2023 How flag football being included in the 2028 Olympics could transform the NFL How flag football being included in the 2028 Olympics could transform the NFL October 18, 2023 * Research * Magazine Parrots learn to make video calls to chat with other parrots, then develop friendships, Northeastern University researchers say [Schuyler_Velasco_001] by Schuyler Velasco April 21, 2023 Share * Mastodon * Facebook * LinkedIn * Twitter [neu_4f18zf631] Jennifer Cunha, a Northeastern affiliated researcher, works with Ellie, Cunha's 11-year-old Goffin's cockatoo, at her home in Jupiter, Florida, on April 10, 2023. Photo by Matthew Modoono/ Northeastern University Video chats like Zoom and FaceTime are great ways to stay in touch with loved ones--so great, in fact, that parrots are catching on. A new study from researchers at Northeastern University, in collaboration with scientists from MIT and the University of Glasgow, investigated what happened when a group of domesticated birds were taught to call one another on tablets and smartphones. The results suggest that video calls could help parrots approximate birds' communication in the wild, improving their behavior--and, likely, their well-being--in their owners' homes. Rebecca Kleinberger, an assistant professor at Northeastern; Jennifer Cunha, a parrot behaviorist and Northeastern researcher; and Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, an assistant professor at the University of Glasgow, showed a group of parrots across a range of species and their volunteer caregivers to use tablets and smartphones how to video-call one another on Facebook Messenger. Jennifer Cunha with a white parrot. Photo by Matthew Modoono/ Northeastern University A white parrot uses an iPad to video call another parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University A white parrot uses an iPad to video call another parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University A white parrot uses an iPad to video call another parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University The researchers then observed how the birds used that newfound ability over a three-month period. They wondered: If given the choice, would the birds call each other? The answer, relayed in delighted squawks and head bobs, was a resounding yes. "Some strong social dynamics started appearing," Kleinberger says. Not only did the birds initiate calls freely and seem to understand that a real fellow parrot was on the other end, but caretakers overwhelmingly reported the calls as positive experiences for their parrots. Some caregivers watched their birds learn skills from their video friends, including foraging, new vocalizations and even flying. "She came alive during the calls," reported one. A few significant findings emerged. The birds engaged in most calls for the maximum allowed time. They formed strong preferences--in the preliminary pilot study, Cunha's bird Ellie, a Goffin's cockatoo, became fast friends with a California-based African grey named Cookie. "It's been over a year and they still talk," Cunha says. According to Kleinberger, the types of vocalizations the birds used suggested they were mirroring the call and response nature they engage in in the wild--"hello, I'm here!" in parrot-speak. A white parrot uses an iPad to video call another parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Jennifer Cunha with a white parrot. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University A white parrot's talons.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University A white parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University The most popular parrots were also the ones who initiated the most calls, suggesting a reciprocal dynamic similar to human socialization. And while, in large part, the birds seemed to enjoy the activity itself, the human participants played a big part in that. Some parrots relished the extra attention they were getting from their humans, while others formed attachments for the humans on the other side of the screen. The research team, which has deployed computer interaction to enrich and understand the lives of animal species ranging from dogs to orcas, honed in on parrots for a few reasons. Their intelligence is extraordinary; certain species, like cockatoos and African greys, have demonstrated cognitive capabilities equal to that of an early-elementary-aged child. Their vision lets them make sense of movements on a screen. And as anyone who's heard a pet bird perfectly repeat a relative's greeting or sing the refrain of "Yellow Submarine" knows, they are perceptive and well-equipped vocalists--a trait wild parrots use to find and communicate with their flock-mates under dense rainforest canopies. With the team's instructions, the caregivers of the 18 parrots in the study first taught the birds to ring a bell in order to signal that they wished to make a call. (An important experimental design consideration was that the birds had free choice to make the calls or not; once they learned to use the tablet interface, they were not rewarded with treats for doing so.) Once the parrots rang their bells, caretakers presented them with a tablet home screen with pictures of possible friends to call, with pairs and trios of parrots grouped together mainly according to size and time zone. [041023_MM_Jennifer_Cunha_168]Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University [RK_headshot_bird]courtesy photo Left: Jennifer Cunha interacts with cockatoos. Right: Rebecca Kleinberger, a Northeastern University assistant professor dually appointed to the Khoury College of Computer Science and the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD). Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University During coordinated three-hour sessions, using their beaks to tap the screen, each bird could initiate up to two calls lasting no longer than five minutes each. Caregivers received careful instruction to end calls at the first signs of fear or aggression. Fifteen birds completed the full study; three dropped out early on. Kleinberger cautions that the findings don't mean parrot owners should fire up a Zoom call and assume it will go well. The participant parrots had experienced handlers who had time to introduce the technology slowly and to carefully monitor their parrots' reactions. As the study underscored, parrots are finicky about which fellow birds they will respond to--unmediated interactions could lead to fear, even violence and property damage; larger parrots have beaks more than capable of cracking an iPad into pieces. Still, the findings suggest that video calls can improve a pet parrot's quality of life. Kleinberger says that parrots, who have only been kept as pets for a generation or two, are not domesticated in the same way as dogs, cats and horses. "We're not saying you can make them as happy as they would be in the wild," she says. "We're trying to serve those who are already [in captivity]." A white parrot sits inside a cage. Photo by Matthew Modoono/ Northeastern University A white parrot uses an iPad to video call another parrot.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University That includes the many parrots who, for a multitude of reasons, can't physically be close to other birds--for one, disease is pervasive among certain captive species. Two sickly, elderly male macaws paired together in the study had scarcely seen another macaw in their lives, yet formed a deep bond--dancing and singing enthusiastically together through the screen and calling "Hi! Come here! Hello!" whenever one or the other moved out of the video frame. "It really speaks to how cognitively complex these birds are and how much ability they have to express themselves," says Hirskyj-Douglas. "It was really beautiful, those two birds, for me." She taught her cockatoo to read. That was just the beginning Schuyler Velasco is a Northeastern Global News reporter. Email her at s.velasco@northeastern.edu. Photography by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Video by Cam Sleeper/Northeastern University For media inquiries, please contact media@northeastern.edu. [Schuyler_Velasco_001] by Schuyler Velasco April 21, 2023 Share * Mastodon * Facebook * LinkedIn * Twitter More by Schuyler Velasco 'I feel like I came back home.' Members of Northeastern's first Black fraternity reunite for weekend-long 50th anniversary party 'I feel like I came back home.' Members of Northeastern's first Black fraternity reunite for weekend-long 50th anniversary party World-renowned computer scientist Tina Eliassi-Rad installed as inaugural Joseph E. Aoun Professor World-renowned computer scientist Tina Eliassi-Rad installed as inaugural Joseph E. Aoun Professor The United States women's national team collapsed in the World Cup. Experts say that's progress The United States women's national team collapsed in the World Cup. Experts say that's progress Editor's Picks What are the differences between American and British Parliamentary styles of debating? Northeastern students prepare for the global stage What are the differences between American and British Parliamentary styles of debating? Northeastern students prepare for the global stage Geneva is the hub of world politics and Northeastern students are there learning how negotiations happen on a global scale Geneva is the hub of world politics and Northeastern students are there learning how negotiations happen on a global scale Is Beyonce's Renaissance concert film a sign of things to come for movie theaters and the concert experience? Is Beyonce's Renaissance concert film a sign of things to come for movie theaters and the concert experience? Mainstream environmental nonprofits get the most philanthropic support, at the expense of diverse organizations, research says Mainstream environmental nonprofits get the most philanthropic support, at the expense of diverse organizations, research says 'Experiential robotics' on display at Northeastern. New space inside EXP features systems that span the technological gamut 'Experiential robotics' on display at Northeastern. New space inside EXP features systems that span the technological gamut Featured Stories A Swiftie's 'Wildest Dreams' come true: Northeastern is offering a course on Taylor Swift A Swiftie's 'Wildest Dreams' come true: Northeastern is offering a course on Taylor Swift Military AI: New book anticipates a world of 'killer robots' -- and the need to regulate them Military AI: New book anticipates a world of 'killer robots' -- and the need to regulate them Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, remembered as 'independent thinker' who often disappointed conservatives Why was it so hard to expel George Santos from Congress? Because the system is working as designed, legal expert says Why was it so hard to expel George Santos from Congress? Because the system is working as designed, legal expert says Parrots learn to make video calls to chat with other parrots, then develop friendships, Northeastern University researchers say News, Discovery, and Analysis from Around the World * University News * World News * Science & Technology * Arts & Entertainment * Business * Health * Law * Lifestyle * Society & Culture * Sports * Contact Us * Faculty Experts * In the Press * Media Inquiries * Newsletter * Parents & Families * NGN Research * NGN Magazine Search [ ] Stay Connected [ ] [ ] Subscribe Large N with "Lux, Veritas, Virtus" overlayed (c) 2023 Northeastern University * Mastodon * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Tiktok * Twitter * Youtube