Are birds like people? We are learning more about birds all the time. They are clever, they like art and some can speak. Are we all that different after all?
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Beady eye: mysteries of birds revealed
Are birds like people? We are learning more about birds all the time. They are clever, they like art and some can speak. Are we all that different after all?
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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."
But Alex is not an ordinary friend. He is an African GreyA grey parrot with a red tail. They are often kept as pets because they are famous for being able to copy humans. parrot.
Find out more
Irene is a scientist. She has been working with Alex for 27 years. Over time, Alex has learned hundreds of words. He can make sentences. He can spell out words. He can even count and add numbers.
Alex is not the only clever bird. Crows can solve puzzles that most five-year-olds find tricky. They can use tools to open boxes. Magpies can recognise themselves in the mirror. Chickens give each other roles in their community, with some in charge.
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. - the family of animals that includes humans.
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Are birds like humans?
Some say
Yes! We should respect them. They are very clever. They have built-in sat-nav that helps them on long trips around the world. They can solve puzzles. And parrots like Alex can talk!
Others think
No. Birds are totally different from humans. We should be more excited about this! It means there is another speciesA set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other. that has brilliant skills. We should be learning from them!
Keywords
African Grey - A grey parrot with a red tail. They are often kept as pets because they are famous for being able to copy humans.
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.
Species - A set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other.
Beady eye: mysteries of birds revealed
Glossary
African Grey - A grey parrot with a red tail. They are often kept as pets because they are famous for being able to copy humans.
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.
Species - A set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other.