Presentation Details
| Do companion parrots use human and animal names as vocal labels? Lauryn Benedict1, Viktoria Groiss2, Marisa Hoeschele3, Eva Reinisch3, Christine Dahlin4. 1University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.2University of Vienna, Vienna Austria.3Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Austria.4University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA, USA |
Abstract
Humans organize social interactions in part by referring to others using proper names. Names might also facilitate the complex social lives of animals. Several animal species produce signature sounds in nature and can vocally target interaction partners, but researchers hesitate to call these names. A more direct way to ask if animals can use names is with species that learn human words. We used survey data to determine whether parrots that live with humans regularly learn names and use them as individual vocal labels. Survey takers were asked about word and phrase use by companion parrots; 47% of reports on 884 birds included examples of name use in social situations including greetings, separations, and when seeking attention. Reports on 88 birds of 30 species suggested that parrots applied names appropriately as vocal labels for humans and animals. At the same time, many parrots used names in contexts outside of typical human linguistic conventions. Results indicate that parrots have the cognitive capacity to learn and use names in a variety of situations, sometimes applying them as vocal labels when communicating with or about others during social interactions.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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