Bird brains (2023)

Neuron Counts, Brain Architecture, and Intelligence

• Several comments dispute “more neurons = more intelligence” as too simplistic.
• Brain density, connectivity, and specialization are emphasized over raw count.
• Forebrain neuron count is suggested as a better proxy for complex cognition; by that metric humans are near the top, with orcas above.
• Birds are described as highly optimized for low mass and possibly smaller genomes, allowing dense, efficient brains.

Octopus and Other Non‑Avian Intelligence

• Octopuses are highlighted as especially remarkable: rapid solo learning, distributed “mini-brains” in eyes and arms, and possible theory of mind.
• Lack of parenting and very short lifespans make their cognitive achievements seem even more striking; some speculate they might surpass humans individually under fair comparisons.
• Nerve conduction in cephalopods is noted as slower due to lack of myelin, not neuron count.

Language, Mimicry, and Parrots

• Debate over whether parrots “talk” or merely mimic.
• Evidence cited of parrots using words contextually (e.g., commenting after biting, labeling objects, expressing desires).
• A famous African grey case is discussed; some see genuine abstraction, others argue the emotional “last words” story is over-embellished or misleading.

Evolution, Timescales, and Selection Pressures

• Disagreement over claims that birds had “more time to evolve”; counterpoint that all lineages are equally old.
• Some argue shorter generation times plus strong selection (e.g., for flight and low weight) can accelerate adaptation.
• Discussion touches on the fuzziness of “species” and how that complicates such comparisons.

Measuring Animal Intelligence

• Attempts to find a general intelligence factor (“g”) in birds have mixed results; experiments are hard to design around each species’ ecology and motivation.
• Mirror test is questioned as a universal self-awareness metric; dogs and others may rely more on smell. Ants allegedly passing mirror tests add to the confusion.

Pets, Ethics, and Behavior Anecdotes

• Strong ethical debate about keeping birds in cages; some see it as cruel confinement, others say many birds treat cages as safe “homes” when doors are open.
• Similar concerns raised about cats and small, indoor-only environments, balanced by safety arguments.
• Multiple vivid anecdotes of keas, cockatoos, magpies, and parrots solving problems, coordinating socially, and interacting richly with humans.

AI Analogies

• Commenters compare parrots and LLMs (“stochastic parrots”), with some arguing current AI already exceeds many animals on many cognitive tasks, others noting animals’ superior embodied skills (navigation, foraging).
• One thread imagines robots struggling to evolve “biological AGI,” misled by simple metrics like neuron count.