Problem solving capabilities of peach-fronted conures (Eupsittula aurea) studied with the string-pulling test
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Abstract
The problem-solving capabilities of four small parrots (peach-fronted conures, Eupsittula aurea) were investigated using string-pulling tests. In seven different tasks, one string was baited following a randomized order. The parrots could retrieve the food reward after a wrong choice as the choice was not forced. Additionally, we applied a non-intuitive pulley task with the strings arranged in front of, instead of below the birds. All four parrots performed very well in the multiple, slanted, and broken string tasks, but all failed in the crossed-string task. Only two parrots solved the single pulley task. All four parrots performed successfully in the multiple pulley task but all failed in the broken pulley condition. Our results suggest that peach-fronted conures solve string-pulling tasks without relying on simple proximity based rules, but that they have evolved cognitive abilities enabling goal-directedness, the understanding of functionality, and a concept of connectedness between two objects.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1228 | 213 | 7 |
| Full Text Views | 167 | 13 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 148 | 23 | 1 |
Problem solving capabilities of peach-fronted conures (Eupsittula aurea) studied with the string-pulling test
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Sara Torres Ortiz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Alyssa Maxwell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Max-Planck Comparative Cognition Research Station, ES-Loro Parque Fundación, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain
Search for other papers by Anastasia Krasheninnikova in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Magnus Wahlberg in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ole Næsbye Larsen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The problem-solving capabilities of four small parrots (peach-fronted conures, Eupsittula aurea) were investigated using string-pulling tests. In seven different tasks, one string was baited following a randomized order. The parrots could retrieve the food reward after a wrong choice as the choice was not forced. Additionally, we applied a non-intuitive pulley task with the strings arranged in front of, instead of below the birds. All four parrots performed very well in the multiple, slanted, and broken string tasks, but all failed in the crossed-string task. Only two parrots solved the single pulley task. All four parrots performed successfully in the multiple pulley task but all failed in the broken pulley condition. Our results suggest that peach-fronted conures solve string-pulling tasks without relying on simple proximity based rules, but that they have evolved cognitive abilities enabling goal-directedness, the understanding of functionality, and a concept of connectedness between two objects.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1228 | 213 | 7 |
| Full Text Views | 167 | 13 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 148 | 23 | 1 |
