New Zealand kea can use touchscreens but can’t distinguish between real and virtual worlds

Study finds the intelligent endangered alpine parrot can be trained to use electronic devices with their tongues

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The kea, an endangered New Zealand parrot, is clever enough to use touchscreens but doesn't appear to be able to tell the difference between the real and virtual worlds, according to a new study.

Researchers taught six kea at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch to operate touchscreens. The birds were presented with a series of tasks that were either entirely physical, entirely on-screen or a mixture of both.