How are African gray parrotsā reasoning abilities compared with those of young children?
Research into the cognitive abilities of the African gray parrot has revealed that the species possesses intelligence ranking among the highest of nonhuman animals, comparable to that of apes and cetaceans.1
Regarding their reasoning skills, some researchers have specifically compared the cognitive capabilities of African gray parrots to those of a three- or four-year-old human child. This assessment is supported by studies demonstrating that these birds can use deductive reasoning to solve problems, such as identifying which of two containers holds a food reward. Furthermore, extensive work with parrots like the famous subject Alex has shown that they can associate sounds with meanings, count, categorize objects by shape, color, and material, and communicate with others to encourage or correct their labeling efforts. These findings confirm that their vocalizations and problem-solving skills represent a level of comprehension that extends well beyond simple mimicry.123