News release

From: The Royal Society

Physio-behavioral manifestations of 'surprise' in two parrot species: kea (Nestor notabilis) and Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana)

Humans may delight upon finding cash in a pocket or groan at unexpected traffic, but how animals express such positive or negative surprise remains less clear. This study tested how two parrot species, kea and Goffin’s cockatoos, respond to food secretly swapped for another of either higher or lower value. By examining changes in behavior, body temperature, and information seeking, this study found that the kea, and not the cockatoos, were susceptible to the bait-and-switch regardless of reward value. Such research broadens our understanding of how surprise manifests in animals and highlights new avenues for future work.