byZoe Johnson-UlrichBard College

Adviser: Philip Johns

Using an arbitrary control to assess physical reasoning in keas

(Nestor notabilis)

Physical Cognition

Associative reasoning is the association of objects or events with certain outcomes, without knowledge of the actual causal mechanisms.

Physical reasoning is the ability to understand that the action of one object causes the action of another object.

Keas• Keas (Nestor notabilis) are a parrot from New Zealand known for their intelligence and curiosity.

Huber, L., & Gajdon, G. K. (2006). Technical intelligence in animals: the kea model. Animal Cognition, 9(4), 295–305.

Experimental DesignPhysical Task

Associative Task

Drop Tube Puzzle and Methods

1-Block Vs. 2-Block

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Physical Vs. Associative

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Associative Tasks

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1-Block tasks

Physical Vs. Associative

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Associative Tasks

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2-Block Tasks

Conclusions

• This particular task evaluates understanding of gravity and physical support.

• Keas have been successful in tasks using gravity, but not as much in support tasks*.

• Therefore, it is probably the support aspect of the Drop Tube task that keas were unable to use physical reasoning about. *Gravity: Diamond & Bond 1999; Auersperg et al. 2010Physical Support: Auersperg et al. 2009

AcknowledgementsPhilip Johns, Bard CollegeFrank Scalzo, Bard CollegeSarah Lopez-Duran, Bard College

Alan Tousignant, Trevor Zoo

Beth Carlyle-Askew, Woodland Park ZooDeanna Ramirez, Woodland Park ZooGreg Backus, Bard CollegeLiv Nathanson, Bard College