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Scientists: Parrots Groove to the Beat

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 5:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Yes, it's an actual study: Parrots can dance. Really and truly dance. A painstaking review of lab video—and YouTube—revealed that the birds have rhythm, the Boston Globe reports. Frame-by-frame analysis of birds’ motion to music shows that they bob and weave in perfect sync to a beat, a new study shows. Scientists believe the bird’s mojo might be related to its talent for mimicry, which humans share.

“When I was first starting this work, I was very skeptical,” the lead author said. “There are all kinds of ways these birds could be faking or cheating.” But the video evidence was irrefutable. In one analysis, the probability of a parrot randomly hitting the beat with his movements was calculated at 1 in 100 million. The YouTube portion of the study found that 15 species had rhythm, and 14 of them are parrots. The outlier? The Asian elephant.

A 30-year-old Guatemalan parrot rides his skateboard.
A 30-year-old Guatemalan parrot rides his skateboard.   (AP Photo)
Alex, Brandeis University's African grey parrot that could count to six, identify colors and even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials. He could also dance.
Alex, Brandeis University's African grey parrot that could count to six, identify colors and even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials. He could also dance.   (AP Photo)
Ethologist Irene Pepperberg with Alex, her African gray parrot.
Ethologist Irene Pepperberg with Alex, her African gray parrot.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Snowball's favorite is the Backstreet Boys' "Everybody."   (YouTube)
Snowball dances to Christmas songs.   (YouTube)
Snowball is also into Heart.   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
skeptik
May 1, 2009 2:58 AM CDT
Bird owners everywhere already know this. Our lovebirds preferred old big band foxtrot music!
Caps
May 1, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
I don't want to hear "bird brain" used again. This is great.
inky
Apr 30, 2009 11:59 AM CDT
Maybe I should sent my white boy husband to a bird sanctuary.

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