The Power of Parrots: An Exploration of Animal Intelligence and Human Connection

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Fermi Paradox
   1. Intelligent Species Concealing their Presence
   2. Extinction before Space Expansion
3. Alex, the African Grey Parrot
   1. Alex's Cognitive Abilities
   2. Parrots as Vocal Learners
4. The Special Relationship between Parrots and Humans
   1. Parrots' Unique Call
   2. Arecibo as the Contact Call of Humanity
5. The Power of Sound
   1. Shaping Sounds with the Mouth
   2. Sound in Human Mythologies
   3. The Cosmic Microwave Background
6. The Extinction of Puerto Rican Parrots
   1. Loss of Language and Traditions
   2. The Impact of Human Activity
7. Conclusion

The Voices of Arecibo: The Connection Between Parrots and Humans

Introduction

The desire for connection with extraterrestrial intelligence has led humans to build remarkable technologies, such as the Arecibo telescope, capable of listening across the vast expanse of the Universe. However, amidst this pursuit, a perplexing question arises. While humans search for signs of non-human life, why aren't they interested in listening to the voices of their fellow non-human species, such as parrots? This article explores the concept of the Fermi Paradox, the special cognitive abilities of parrots, the relationship between humans and parrots, the power of sound, and the impending extinction of Puerto Rican parrots.

The Fermi Paradox

Intelligent Species Concealing their Presence

The Fermi Paradox references the absence of any sign of intelligent life in the universe, besides Earth. One proposed solution to this paradox is the Notion that intelligent species actively conceal their presence to avoid attracting Attention from potentially hostile invaders. As a member of a species nearly driven to extinction by humans, I can attest to the wisdom of this strategy. Remaining quiet and avoiding attention may be the most sensible course of action in an expansive and potentially dangerous universe.

Extinction before Space Expansion

Another hypothesis proposed to explain the Fermi Paradox is that intelligent species become extinct before they can expand into outer space. If true, the silent night sky could be likened to a graveyard. This notion is disconcerting, especially considering the once abundant presence of my kind, the Puerto Rican parrots. The Rio Abajo forest used to resound with our voices, but now we teeter on the edge of disappearance.

Alex, the African Grey Parrot

Alex's Cognitive Abilities

Alex, an African Grey parrot, achieved fame due to his remarkable cognitive abilities. Studied for 30 years by researcher Irene Pepperberg, Alex demonstrated not only knowledge of words but a genuine understanding of concepts such as Shape and color. Although met with skepticism initially, Alex's intelligence ultimately convinced humans that parrots possess the capacity for abstract thought.

Parrots as Vocal Learners

Like humans, parrots are vocal learners capable of mimicking and learning new sounds. This ability sets us apart from many other species, enabling us to communicate and adapt. While dogs may understand a multitude of commands, they remain limited to barking. Humans and parrots, on the other HAND, share a unique relationship with sound, allowing us to develop complex language and engage in Meaningful communication.

The Special Relationship between Parrots and Humans

Parrots' Unique Call

In the wild, parrots address each other by name through their distinctive contact call. This individualized vocalization allows them to capture the attention of other birds. In 1974, astronomers utilized the Arecibo telescope to transmit a message into outer space, serving as humanity's contact call to demonstrate their intelligence. If that message were to be detected and returned to Earth, it would indicate an attempt to establish communication.

Arecibo as the Contact Call of Humanity

Arecibo's construction as both a receiver and transmitter demonstrates the desire of humans to not only listen but also speak to the universe. Living alongside parrots for thousands of years, humans have only recently recognized the potential intelligence of our species. However, the limitations of listening from a distance make it unlikely for humans to recognize alien intelligence without up-close observations.

The Power of Sound

Shaping Sounds with the Mouth

Parrots and humans share a primal and visceral pleasure in shaping sounds with their voices. This ability has led humans throughout history to view sound as a pathway to the divine. Mystical beliefs, such as the Pythagorean theory and Pentecostal speaking in tongues, underscore the importance of sound in human mythologies. It is this common appreciation for sound that may have motivated humans to construct Arecibo as both an ear and a mouth.

Sound in Human Mythologies

Humanity's mythologies attribute tremendous significance to sound. Within Hindu mythology, the universe was created with a singular syllable containing everything that was, is, and will be. The cosmic microwave background, detected by Arecibo, reverberates with the remnants of the big bang, reminding humanity of the voice of creation. Parrots' simple mythologies, on the other hand, are endangered along with our species, highlighting the unique breadth of human imagination.

The Extinction of Puerto Rican Parrots

Loss of Language and Traditions

The imminent extinction of Puerto Rican parrots signifies more than the loss of a bird species; it also represents the disappearance of our language, rituals, and traditions. While humans cannot decipher our language in time, they can appreciate the impact of our extinction on the richness of life. Human activity, although unintentional, has pushed my species to the brink of silence. Yet, it is through human creation, like Arecibo, that the greatness of humanity shines through.

The Impact of Human Activity

While I do not blame humans for my species' plight, their lack of attention to our existence has played a significant role. Humans, with their boundless imagination, have the potential to understand and appreciate the beauty of our myths and traditions. However, in their Quest for connections beyond Earth, they inadvertently overlook the profound connection they have with the species closest to them.

Conclusion

Despite the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, humans seem to miss the voices right beside them. Parrots, with our cognitive abilities and vocal learning capabilities, offer a unique connection for humans to explore and understand non-human intelligence. As Puerto Rican parrots face extinction, their loss signifies more than the silence of a species; it signifies the loss of language, tradition, and a connection between two distinct species that share a deep appreciation for the power of sound.