As It Happens6:18Domesticated parrots who video call ‘friends’ feel less lonely: study
Polly want a cracker? Maybe after a FaceTime catchup with an old friend.
According to a recent study at Northeastern University in Boston, parrots that have been taught to contact their feathered peers with a video call app showed signs of feeling less isolated or lonely.
Parrots are a highly social species, said Northeastern University assistant professor and co-researcher Rébecca Kleinberger.
Many parrot species live in large flocks — when they live with humans, they’re usually isolated from other birds. That can lead to heightened loneliness and boredom.
WATCH | Parrots make video calls:
