Ultrasonic Communication in Rats: Can Playback of 50-kHz Calls Induce Approach Behavior?

Abstract

Comparative studies suggest that at least some bird species have evolved mental skills similar to those found in humans and apes. This is indicated by feats such as tool use, episodic-like memory, and the ability to use one's own experience in predicting the behavior of conspecifics. It is, however, not yet clear whether these skills are accompanied by an understanding of the self. In apes, self-directed behavior in response to a mirror has been taken as evidence of self-recognition. We investigated mirror-induced behavior in the magpie, a songbird species from the crow family. As in apes, some individuals behaved in front of the mirror as if they were testing behavioral contingencies. When provided with a mark, magpies showed spontaneous mark-directed behavior. Our findings provide the first evidence of mirror self-recognition in a non-mammalian species. They suggest that essential components of human selfrecognition have evolved independently in different vertebrate classes with a separate evolutionary history.

Physiological resonance between mates through calls as possible evidence of empathic processes in songbirds

“…If state matching is an evolutionary shared characteristic of highly social vertebrates, it might also exist in nonmammalian species. Birds show complex cognitive abilities (Boogert et al, 2008;Boogert et al, 2011;Clayton and Dickinson, 1998;Prior et al 2008;Schloegl et al, 2012) and many group-living species of birds demonstrate elaborate social relationships (Brown and Farabaugh, 1997;Clayton and Emery, 2007;Dally et al, 2006;Emery et al, 2007;Paz-yMino C et al, 2004). Therefore, the strong social partnership of birds' monogamous pairbond is a likely candidate for state matching or physiological resonance in a non-mammalian species.…”

Birds have primate-like numbers of neurons in the forebrain

“…Corvids and parrots appear to be cognitively superior to other birds, rivalling great apes in many psychological domains (1)(2)(3). They manufacture and use tools (4,5), solve problems insightfully (6), make inferences about causal mechanisms (7), recognize themselves in a mirror (8), plan for future needs (9), and use their own experience to anticipate future behavior of conspecifics (10) or even humans (11), to mention just a few striking abilities. In addition, parrots and songbirds (including corvids) share with humans and a few other animal groups a rare capacity for vocal learning (12), and parrots can learn words and use them to communicate with humans (13).…”

Budgie in the mirror: An exploratory analysis of social behaviors and mirror use in the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

“…actions directed towards conspecifics within a flock) remains a mystery in Budgerigars. In other species, a wide variety of behavioral changes can be associated with mirror use ranging from self-recognition (Gallup, 1970;Prior et al, 2008) to increased breeding displays (Pickering and Duverge, 1992). Moreover, not only are the effects of mirrors on Budgerigar behavior in need of further investigation, but understanding such effects are necessary in order to allow for crossspecies comparisons of cognitive capabilities.…”