Cockatoos may understand physical problems better than we thought.
Researchers from Oxford University, the University of Vienna, and the
Max Planck Institute gave ten untrained Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua
goffini) a clear box with a nut inside. The box could only be opened
after unlocking five locks in the correct order. One bird was able to
unlock the box without aid in less than two hours. Other birds were able to do it after watching how, or when given smaller series of locks to learn first.
What is most surprising is that the birds were able to figure out the
series of locks to get to the goal, without being rewarded after each
lock was opened. Researchers pointed out that this does not mean the
birds understand the problem the same way humans do, but it is an
interesting view into how their brains function and what they are
capable of.
Dr. Auguste von Bayern, from Oxford University,
said "We believe that they are aided by species characteristics such as
intense curiosity, tactile exploration techniques and persistence."
Sound familiar?
Picture courtesy of:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Cockatoos may understand physical problems better than we thought.
Researchers from Oxford University, the University of Vienna, and the Max Planck Institute gave ten untrained Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffini) a clear box with a nut inside. The box could only be opened after unlocking five locks in the correct order. One bird was able to unlock the box without aid in less than two hours. Other birds were able to do it after watching how, or when given smaller series of locks to learn first.
What is most surprising is that the birds were able to figure out the series of locks to get to the goal, without being rewarded after each lock was opened. Researchers pointed out that this does not mean the birds understand the problem the same way humans do, but it is an interesting view into how their brains function and what they are capable of.
Dr. Auguste von Bayern, from Oxford University, said "We believe that they are aided by species characteristics such as intense curiosity, tactile exploration techniques and persistence." Sound familiar?
Picture courtesy of:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Researchers from Oxford University, the University of Vienna, and the Max Planck Institute gave ten untrained Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffini) a clear box with a nut inside. The box could only be opened after unlocking five locks in the correct order. One bird was able to unlock the box without aid in less than two hours. Other birds were able to do it after watching how, or when given smaller series of locks to learn first.
What is most surprising is that the birds were able to figure out the series of locks to get to the goal, without being rewarded after each lock was opened. Researchers pointed out that this does not mean the birds understand the problem the same way humans do, but it is an interesting view into how their brains function and what they are capable of.
Dr. Auguste von Bayern, from Oxford University, said "We believe that they are aided by species characteristics such as intense curiosity, tactile exploration techniques and persistence." Sound familiar?
Picture courtesy of:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
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