Parrots taught to video call each other become less lonely, finds research

US study got owners to train their pets to contact other birds using a touchscreen tablet

Pet parrots that are allowed to make video calls to other birds show signs of feeling less isolated, according to scientists.

The study, which involved giving the birds a tablet that they could use to make video calls, found that they began to engage in more social behaviour including preening, singing and play. The birds were given a choice of which friend" to call on a touchscreen tablet and the study revealed that the parrots that called other birds most often were the most popular choices.