Let’s know about 5 Smartest Pet Birds. Have you ever been called ‘birdbred’ for doing something stupid? Navigating with an upside-down map, losing your phone, or any form of stupid behavior can leave you labeled as having a brain as small as a brain. But, as you should know by now, size doesn’t matter, and birds are actually one of the most intelligent animals around. We’ve tried the hard work of narrowing down the 5 smartest pet birds out of 10,000 species worldwide. Many wild birds display IQ comparable to that of humans, but what should you go for your smart, trainable pet bird?
1. African Gray Parrots
Parrots, understandably, dominate this list of minded birds, and we start with the African gray parrot. This bird is often considered a genius due to their intelligence that rivals that of a 5-year-old child. While many parrots simply imitate you, the African Gray has demonstrated a genuine ability to communicate. Most famously, Dr. Irene Pepperberg worked with African Grays and found that they could be taught colours, shapes and numbers. What was most surprising was that they were taught, and responded to, using precise, relevant speech. They made up their own logical sentences, such as a boss saying ‘You are as good as cake’. Some have begun to read in a way, by recognizing and sounding two letter combinations. Although these birds can be a little nervous and socially awkward, they make great pets not only because of their intelligence, but because of their long lifespans of 50 years. It can also make them demanding of a pet, though, so you should be able to commit to them. But, ultimately, it is a highly rewarding experience as they have been known to sweetly tell their owners, ‘I love you’.
2. Macaw
Macaws are so famous for their intelligence that a team of scientists has worked to map their entire genome to understand it. A woman named Nebina from Iowa was chosen for this important task and it was found that she had many similarities with chicken. The biggest difference, however, was in the development and quantity of the brain, which is, of course, the foundation of the great intelligence of his species. As emotionally intelligent birds, macaws are known for their loving and social natures. However, their social nature can also cause them to become aggressive in certain environments. Their other most notable feature is their longevity, which is believed to allow them to live up to 100 years if they are cared for properly. This makes this bird a more serious liability as their intelligence requires constant stimulation and their longevity requires commitment.
3. Cockatoos
While African grays are vocally intelligent, and macaws are emotionally intelligent, cockatoos are very physically and spatially intelligent. Cockatoos are known for their dexterous behavior, and a great fun activity for them is taking things apart in their cage. They are very good at learning complex moves and are known for their escape efforts as they are able to grasp and win many standard locks. They have also demonstrated an understanding of the concept of delayed gratification when tested, ignoring immediate treatment in favor of a better attempt. This is not to say that cockatoos do not communicate intelligently. A breeder observed that one of his cockatoos, named Elvis, communicate with his mate, Mimi, as he punished her for throwing in ‘What are you doing?!’. But, their greatest display of intelligence is in their tricks and jokes, such as phone calls only to be laughed at as their owner walks around the room to answer. It can vary in characteristics between Australian native varieties but has always been known for its affection and bond with its owners. This makes them loving, but sensitive, pets that can easily suffer from intense emotional distress if not properly cared for. As they live to be 70 years old, they can make great life-long companions.
4. Buddy
Parrots come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes the smallest ones can pack the biggest punch. Although a popular choice as a pet, budgies are often overshadowed by their adorable stature and cheap price. In reality, their curiosity and communication ability have led researchers to compare the intelligence of a two-year-old child. Budgie is also a group of researchers dedicated to the study of intelligence. The Buddy Research Group has found plenty of evidence of their ability to communicate in context. Victor, his first subject, reportedly had a vocabulary of over 800 words. Similarly, another subject, Herbert said that ‘I can’t wait until four’ has demonstrated an understanding of time!’After being told that it was the time when he would get out of his cage. These sweet, happy birds are renowned for their dancing and good natures, so it’s easy to see why they are so popular. Their short life expectancy of around 10 years makes them less of a commitment. However, like all intelligent animals, they need a lot of activity and stimulation to keep themselves entertained and happy.
5. Amazon Parrots
Unsurprisingly, our last intelligent bird is yet another parrot. what can I say? Parrots are clever little cookies! Amazon parrots come in a huge variety, but all of them excel at problem solving and talking. For example, they are able to forage for food in difficult conditions, including using their feet and beaks to pull inaccessible food attached to a string, and they are able to mimic humans so closely. Know that they are mistaken for other family members. Their mimicry and communication skills are not often seen in the wild, however, suggesting that many breeds, such as the blue-fronted Amazon, require frequent human interaction and appropriate social bonding to develop these talents. Like many birds, they require companionship from humans and their own kind, so caring for them can be expensive and burdensome. But, if you know you can commit to these birds, their large vocabulary and sociable nature will keep you entertained for years.