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New Zealand birds have shown that not only can count, but also understand the foundations of probability theory and can build forecasts.
Kea parrots know the basics of probability theory, Nature writes. Communications. Scientists from Auckland University reportedly in New Zealand conducted the same experiments with six such birds. Two containers with sticks were placed in front of the subjects. different colors. At the same time, in one of them there were more blacks, and in friend – orange. According to the rules of this game for a black parrot relied delicious treats. Researchers have repeatedly done one and the same thing: imperceptibly took a stick in both hands, clamped into fists and showed the bird. Kea almost always reached for that the hand that took the wand out of the can with most blacks sticks. Scientists concluded that parrots analyzed the probability of getting the right wand and chose the option where there were more chances.
Moreover, they remembered which of the female experimenters more often offered black sticks, and went precisely to her, although nearby stood the second test participant with the same ratio of multi-colored items in containers.
Researchers emphasized that previously such abilities were known only to humans and large primates, for example, orangutans and gorillas. Kea has the ability to predict outcomes on statistics were even better than monkeys and little ones children.
Kea parrots are New Zealand endemic, meaning they inhabit only there. 46 centimeters in length, mostly olive green with bright red feathers under the wings. Refer to categories of vulnerable, abundance data vary widely – from 1 to 15 thousand individuals. Scientists noted that these birds live in flocks with a fairly complex social structure in which they need remember the identities of individual relatives. They are known for their curiosity and easily make contact with people, often turn over garbage containers and can even spoil with a beak a car, if some of its detail interested them.
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