She calls out to those who are absent and invents tricks to attract attention.. Parrots use “names” like humans | sciences

Parrots may not only repeat words, but may also use names, according to a study recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.

By analyzing hundreds of audio recordings of pet parrots, researchers found evidence that many birds use specific names to identify specific people, animals or even companions.

It seemed that some parrots were referring to someone who was not there, while other parrots used names in creative ways, such as pronouncing their name to attract attention.

Instead of traveling to tropical habitats to record wild parrots, as researchers have done in previous studies, Lauren Benedict, a biology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, took a different approach. It focused on parrots that live alongside humans, birds that hear and repeat words regularly, including people’s names.

In collaboration with her colleague Christine Dahlin of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and researchers in Austria, Benedict analyzed audio recordings from more than 880 captive parrots.

The team found many examples of birds using names in ways that seemed similar to how humans label specific individuals. They also revealed surprising patterns in how parrots use these names.

Why are names important in social communication?

For humans, names help organize and communicate complex social relationships. Many animals also make sounds that may serve a similar purpose, helping them recognize or address specific individuals.

Scientists have long investigated these types of vocal signals in animals. However, Dahlin cautions against making direct comparisons with human naming systems.

Christine says, in statements to Al Jazeera Net: “We cannot conclude that they are similar to human names, because animal signals are often very different, and because we do not understand the full intention behind these signals.”

More than just an imitation

The recordings revealed that parrots do not always use names the way humans do. For example, some birds chant their names as a way to attract attention. This suggests that parrots may adapt and use names for different social purposes depending on the situation.

According to Christine, the results indicate that parrots possess the cognitive abilities and vocal skills necessary to use names in a variety of ways. These uses may include direct communication with people, and even referring to someone who is not present at the moment.

At the same time, the results highlight that there are many questions: Differences between species, and even between individual birds within a species, raise important questions about when, how and why animals use vocal signals to identify other individuals or refer to them by name.