“Birdbrain” may be an insult, but birds are far smarter than they’re often given credit for. Irene Pepperberg, PhD, talks about her five decades of research with gray parrots, how she teaches parrots to communicate with English words, how birds’ mathematical and other abilities compare with young children, how the field of animal cognition has evolved over t ... Show More
Oct 28
Helping humans and wildlife coexist, with Suzanne MacDonald, PhD
Many of us share our cities and neighborhoods with animals that lived there before we moved in, such as raccoons, turtles and crows. Suzanne MacDonald, PhD, of York University, discusses why some species thrive in urban environments while others struggle; how city living changes ... Show More
39m 14s
Oct 21
Why we complain and how to do it better, with Robin Kowalski, PhD
Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear p ... Show More
26m 54s
Oct 14
Beyond screen time: What makes educational technology effective, with Nicole Barnes, PhD
Digital tools now help teach students everything from spelling to math to science -- but flashy features don’t always translate to learning. Nicole Barnes, PhD, executive lead psychologist for education at the American Psychological Association and lead author of a new report on ... Show More
33m 42s
Nov 2022
How Smart Was Alex the Grey Parrot?
Picked at random from a pet store, a humble grey parrot named Alex went on to fundamentally alter the way humans think about animal cognition. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore how animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg and her parrot pal Alex spent three decades provin ... Show More
40m 32s
Dec 2024
Brainy Birds: Crows, Ravens, and Parrots
Did you know that some birds are super smart? In this episode, we’ll explore how crows, ravens, and parrots use their brains in amazing ways. These birds can solve tricky puzzles, make tools to get food, and even remember things for a long time. Parrots can copy human speech, and ... Show More
9m 37s
May 2023
How do birds communicate?
Chirp chirp, y’all! Ever wondered what birds mean when they’re singing their little birdy hearts out? This week, Molly and cohost Bessie explore the kinds of sounds birds can make, and how those sounds are used. Birdsong researcher Kristin Brunk breaks down some sweet tweet scien ... Show More
28m 35s
Nov 2024
Do birds cough or sneeze?
Birds have a lot going on. They fly, chirp, sing, make nests, lay eggs. But can they cough or sneeze? We asked biologist Imogene Cancellare to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s flying around in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help quack t ... Show More
4m 47s
<p>If you think parrots are simply mimics that fly, you're wrong. Tune in and learn about these colorful friends today.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a><p>See <a href="https://o ... Show More
