Mobile Games on Tablets Might Help Keep Pet Parrots Engaged and Happy
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Northeastern University’s INTERACT Animal Lab and the University of Glasgow’s Animal-Computer Interaction Lab, pet parrots were found to engage with touchscreen mobile games in a way that could potentially revolutionize how we interact with our feathered friends.
Parrots are known for their high intelligence and social nature, but when kept as pets, they can easily become bored and lonely. To combat this, researchers are exploring the use of mobile games on tablets to keep parrots engaged, active, and happy.
The study involved 20 pet birds of various species, including macaws, grey parrots, cockatoos, and parakeets, and their human caregivers. The birds were trained to interact with a simple tablet game that required them to touch colored circles with their beaks and tongues.
Through the study, researchers discovered valuable insights into how parrots interact with touchscreens. For example, the birds primarily used their tongues to interact with the tablet, leading to delays between touches and decreased accuracy compared to humans. The birds also used less pressure and tended to drag their tongues across the screen in a licking motion.
Despite these challenges, many of the human owners reported that their birds enjoyed playing the tablet game and that it was a good bonding experience for them. The researchers emphasized that mobile apps should not replace human interaction but should be used as a supplementary tool to enhance social time between parrots and their owners.
Overall, the study is a promising step towards developing new products and services that can improve the lives of companion animals. By understanding how parrots interact with technology, researchers hope to create apps specifically designed for the birds that can provide additional forms of stimulation and enrichment.
While touchscreen games may offer benefits for pet parrots, it’s important to remember that they should not replace other forms of engagement, such as exercise, foraging behavior, and social interaction. Ultimately, the goal is to provide parrots with a well-rounded environment that meets all of their physical and mental needs.
With further research and development, touchscreen games could become a valuable tool for enhancing the lives of pet parrots and strengthening the bond between birds and their human caregivers.
