In a study published by the Proceedings of the Royal Society, titled “Vertical transmission of learned signatures in a wild parrot,” researchers discovered that parrot chicks learn unique contact calls from their parents or primary caregivers. Researcher studied green-rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerines) in Venezuela and learned that bonded pairs had unique calls that differed from other pairs, and that the chicks had similar calls to their primary care-givers.
The researchers believe, as the chicks start to fledge, these unique contact calls help parents and chicks stay together outside the nest. For more information, go to the Royal Society Publishing website.
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