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Are Animals Willing to Help One Another?

Parrots are famous for mimicking their human keepers, but a new study suggests that maybe we should be copying their behavior instead.

Scientists placed a pair of African grey parrots in side-by-side cages through which they could have some interaction. One parrot was given a pile of tokens, while the other had access to a window that would award a treat in exchange for a token -- which that parrot did not have.

In addition to being known for their impressive intelligence, African grey parrots have also demonstrated kindness to other members of their species.
In addition to being known for their impressive intelligence, African grey parrots have also demonstrated kindness to other members of their species.

Both parrots had been trained to understand the mechanism beforehand, but what stunned the researchers was how quickly the bird with the tokens figured out that it could not receive treats on its side, but that its neighbor could, if only the other bird had some tokens.

In repeated experiments, the parrot in the first cage always gave up its tokens to its neighbor. "It was not just one token," said researcher Désirée Brucks, a biologist at ETH Zürich in Switzerland. "Many of them transferred all 10 tokens, one after the other, always watching how their partner got the food for it, whereas they themselves did not get anything."

The altruistic nature of the birds was further proven when, without their foreknowledge, the researchers swapped the birds so that the token-giver became the potential receiver -- with identical results.

"It's very shocking," said Peggy Mason, a neurobiologist at the University of Chicago. "It's surprisingly giving, just because the only thing the bird doing it gets is that warm glow of helping." As of now, the pay-it-forward kindness of the parrots has not been seen in other birds. Both blue-headed macaws and ravens were tested in similar experiments, but neither behaved in the same generous manner as the African grey parrots.

Copy that:

  • Parrots don't have vocal cords like humans, but rather an organ called a syrinx located at the base of the trachea.

  • Before his death at the age of 31, an African grey parrot named Alex learned more than 100 words in English and appeared on TV and in news and scientific reports.

  • African grey parrots are monogamous; the female typically nests alone in the small hollow of a tree and hatches two or three eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do animals exhibit altruistic behavior towards each other?

Yes, many animals display altruistic behavior, which means they help others at a cost to themselves. For instance, vampire bats are known to share blood with less fortunate roost mates, ensuring group survival. This behavior is often seen in social species where the benefits of cooperation outweigh the costs.

Can animals from different species help each other out?

Inter-species cooperation is indeed observed in the animal kingdom. A notable example is the mutualistic relationship between Egyptian plovers and crocodiles, where the birds clean the crocodiles' teeth, gaining food while providing dental hygiene. Such symbiotic relationships highlight the evolutionary advantages of cross-species assistance.

What drives animals to help one another?

Animals are driven to help each other by various factors, including genetic relatedness (kin selection), the potential for future reciprocation (reciprocal altruism), and mutual benefit (mutualism). According to evolutionary biologists, such behaviors can increase an individual's inclusive fitness, ultimately benefiting their genetic lineage.

Are there any examples of animals helping humans?

Animals have been known to assist humans in remarkable ways. Dogs, for example, are trained as service animals to aid people with disabilities. There are also accounts of dolphins guiding stranded swimmers to safety, showcasing instances of cross-species benevolence that are both heartwarming and scientifically intriguing.

How do animals know when to help each other?

Animals may recognize when to help each other through various cues, such as vocalizations, body language, or even chemical signals. For example, meerkats take turns acting as sentinels, watching for predators and alerting the group of danger. Such coordinated behaviors are often instinctual and critical for the survival of social species.

Is there evidence that helping behavior in animals is truly selfless?

Determining the selflessness of animal behavior is complex. While some actions may appear selfless, they often have underlying evolutionary benefits. For instance, a study published in the journal "Science" found that rats will free trapped companions, even without a clear reward. This suggests a level of empathy, but it may also serve to strengthen social bonds within the group.

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    • In addition to being known for their impressive intelligence, African grey parrots have also demonstrated kindness to other members of their species.
      In addition to being known for their impressive intelligence, African grey parrots have also demonstrated kindness to other members of their species.