Avian Cognition. Exploring the Intelligence, Behavior, and Individuality of Birds

Description

Unlike any other book, Avian Cognition thoroughly examines avian intelligence, behavior, and individuality. Preferences, choices, motivation, and habits of species, flocks, and individual birds are discussed and compared. This book investigates who birds are and why they do what they do. Daily, seasonal, and play activities, creativity, reasoning abilities, problem-solving skills, social interaction, life stages, and communication patterns are described, and a distinction is made between vocalizations that are learned and those that are inherited. The behavior and intelligence of both wild and pet birds is compared, and unlike other books, entire chapters are devoted to a single species.

Features

• Identifies and records new vocalizations and complete avian conversations in two audio CDs
• Identifies new behaviors, compares the behavior of wild and pet birds of the same species, and includes photographs of many new behaviors never before documented.
• Devotes entire chapters to a single species so that all information related to a species is easily accessible.
• Establishes a new framework for evaluating avian intelligence and related concepts.
• Information is accessible to general, professional, and academic readers alike.

Contents

What is Intelligence Anyway?
Definitions, Models, and Theories
Learning
Thought
Emotion
Consciousness
Behavior
Language, Culture, and Technology
Adaptation, Instinct, and Intuition

Heron
Background
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Discussion

Canada Geese
Background
Characteristics
Family Life and Daily Activities
Seasonal Behaviors
Individual Behaviors
Discussion

Mallard Duck
Background
Characteristics
Family Life and Daily Activities
Seasonal Behaviors
Individual Behaviors
Comparison of Mallard Duck and Canada Geese Behavior
Discussion

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Background
Characteristics
Family Life
Individual Behaviors
Discussion

Cardinal
Background
Characteristics
Family Life
Individual Behaviors
Discussion

Budgerigar
Background
Characteristics
Uzziel
Precious
Slate, Lilac, Sunflower, and Sky
Other Interesting, Surprising, and Amusing Behaviors
Discussion

Zebra Finches
Background
Characteristics
Adult Zebra Finch Behaviors
Development and Behavior of Zebra Finch Nestlings (0-3 months)
Discussion

Meyer’s Parrot and Red-Bellied Parrot
Background
Characteristics
Squeaky
Sydney
Discussion

Indian Ringneck Parakeet
Background
Characteristics
Maku
Snapdragon
Bluebell
Dusty
Discussion

Mitred Conure
Background
Characteristics
Rudy
Buster
Discussion

Avian Communication Patterns
Background
Mallard Duck Ice Medley, Disk 1 Track 1
Canada Geese Winter Song, Disk 1 Track 2
Canada Goslings, Disk 1 Track 3
Zebra Finch Phonics, Disk 1, Track 4
Indian Ringneck Parakeet Roundtable, Disk 2 Track 1
Meyer’s Parrot Beeps and Whistles, Disk 2 Track 2
Mitred Conure Chortling, Disk 2 Track 3
Budgerigar Morning Chorus, Disk 2 Track 4

Epilogue

Appendices
Glossary
Bibliography
Observation Locations and Populations
Budgerigars and Children: A Tribute to Perky
External factors to consider when giving a bird a medical exam

Authors

Debra Herrmann is a Principal Research Scientist with the Biological Computing Initiative. She leads interdisciplinary research that examines the parallels between avian intelligence, behavior, learning, reasoning, problem solving, and communication skills and computer intelligence, artificial intelligence, neural nets, computer heuristics, and other biological computing models found in nature.

Debra has been active in the federal and academic research communities in the Washington, D.C. area for the past 30 years. She has competed for and received research funding ranging from $50K to $4M for various projects, and because of her expertise, Debra has been asked to sit on panels evaluating research proposals submitted to the U.S. government for funding.

Debra led or participated in all the observational field studies reported in this book. She has participated in birding activities locally and on three continents (so far) over a span of 30 years. Debra teaches graduate, undergraduate, and professional short courses. She is a frequent guest speaker at annual conferences, monthly educational seminars, and informal committee meetings hosted by scholarly organizations and general membership societies. Avian Cognition is her fifth book. Her hope is that Avian Cognition will serve as a catalyst for increased public understanding of avian intelligence and behavior, better treatment of wild and pet birds worldwide, and more research in this area.