What's happening?

Irene and Alex are good friends. Every night, when Alex goes to bed, he says goodnight to Irene: "You be good, see you tomorrow. I love you."

Why is this strange? Because Alex is a parrot.

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Irene is a scientist. She has taught Alex for more than 20 years.

He knows hundreds of words. He can spell. He can count and add up numbers.

Alex is not the only clever bird. Crows can solve puzzles. Magpies can recognise themselves in the mirror.

Birds are descended from dinosaursDinosaurs were the main animals on Earth for more than 150 million years. They were lizard-like reptiles. Some of them were the largest and scariest creatures that ever walked on land. Birds are the only living descendants.. But lots of experts think they are more like primatesThe order of mammals that includes humans, alongside apes like chimpanzees and gorillas.. This is the family of animals that includes humans.

Some say

Yes! We should respect them. They are very clever. They can fly thousands of miles without getting lost. They have friendships. Some of them can talk!

Others think

No. Birds are different from humans. We should be more excited about this! We should be learning from them.

Dinosaurs - Dinosaurs were the main animals on Earth for more than 150 million years. They were lizard-like reptiles. Some of them were the largest and scariest creatures that ever walked on land. Birds are the only living descendants.

Primates - The order of mammals that includes humans, alongside apes like chimpanzees and gorillas.