On Regarding the Intelligence of a Red-Throated Parrot Finch

[can]

I am more quickly coming to the conclusion that of all our birds, our red-throated parrot finch is the smartest. Compared with our other finches, Barry (the finch being regarded) is not the friendliest nor is he the most people-oriented. However, he is the only bird who has figured out that in his grated cage the edges of the grate are wider and hence, he will take his food over to the sides to put it down and eat it!

But that is not the story I wanted to tell. About two months ago my husband and I started to let Barry out of his cage to stretch his wings. However, since Barry is housed with other finches the outings slowly started to include Jamoke (green singer) and Somerset (zebra), and very recently Olivia (owl - who's on leave from her cage for bullying our waxbill). Slowly they became more confident and harder to get back into their cage, which is necessary because we have three cats. So last night, unable to get Barry, Jamoke or Olivia back in their cage and having them settling off to bed on top of their cage, my husband and I decided to try again in the morning when we feed them.

In the morning, I feed them and waited by the cage for them all to go in and also to make sure the ones who went in, stayed in. Everyone went in, except Barry. I waited and waited, while he bounced and flew around. Then Jamoke slipped out of the cage, and within seconds of Jamoke leaving the cage, Barry was in it! The little bugger had waited for one of the other birds to leave the cage before going in himself, knowing that we would close the cage once all the birds were in! Now the question is, does Jamoke know this too? Could they be working together? Thankfully, Jamoke is much easier to catch them Barry.

I would also like to add, that when Barry is out and we go near him, he has this way of tilting his head down and regarding us like he's mapping our movements. He has become an expert at slipping out of his cage whenever he can. In fact, our poor friend who watched our birds for us over christmas, was convinced that when Barry got out on her, he was taunting and playing with her. The poor girl was laughed at by my in-laws when she called them for help!

[Summer Bird]

Man, you're braver than I would be about letting birds out to fly with cats in the house!

Barry does sound very intelligent. I think sometimes these little guys know more than we suspect.

[annague]

Can, I too think the RT PF's are scary smart -- they are smarter than my other birds in a going native, self-preservation, what do I get out of this way...

My PF's also have figured out that the edges of the grate of their cage are wider and remove tender morsels that they want to keep for themselves to eat on the edges of the grates -- I laugh when I feed them (they share with other PF's and many different other species) because 3 or 4 of them will spread out along the grate and devour their goodies (but not too close to one another).

They are the first to inspect, figure out and try out any new object I put in their cages -- they are the most elusive to catch (they quickly figure out how to avoid most catching maneuvres) they are one of the few that know which time I feed them (my gouldians actually are starting to do this too) and will fly back and forth landing on the cage front and watching for me through the bars until I come to feed them.

They will all gather and scold me if I am holding a PF and the PF is complaining about me holding it (usually while biting me!)

They know what is going on around them more than any of my other birds -- they keep an eye on and are determined to outwit the BIG SCARY MONSTER (me)... and sometimes they do!

[G8love4finches]

RH Parrots are very smart...My friend had just got 4 finches, and called me in a panic..."her bird got out"....I had an appointment and couldn't come right over but I would check back to see if she still needed my help catching her bird.....When I called her back she told me that he found his own way back in the cage.....The grill at the bottom of the cage had not been put back properly and he had gotten out in that space, but the smart little bird knew enough to get back in the same way he got out...They are very smart!!

[can]

Yes Anne, I am beginning to think Barry is studying me as much as I am him! Parrot Finches definitely have a way with them, your stories sound very familiar. From one scary monster to another, I think there is a little battle of Waterloo occurring in my bird room. Hopefully, Barry will not be able to get his soldiers in line - or my husband and I are done for!

And yes Summer Bird, I am very caution with letting my birds out of their cage with the cats in the apartment and I only do it when I'm home and don't have to be anywhere for awhile. My birds are in our bird room/office, so the cats can be kept out of the room while their out. Last night, we actually put a towel under the closed door, opened a closet door (which allowed us to block the bird room door) and placed one of my husband's amps in front, just so I could sleep soundly without worrying to much!