Scientists believe that roosters can recognize themselves in a mirror
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Roosters can recognize their reflection in a mirror.
This is reported by The Guardian with reference to research by scientists at the University of Bonn.
Previously, the ability to recognize oneself in a mirror was found in a few animals, including elephants, dolphins, great apes, and some fish and birds.
Sonya Hillemacher, one of the authors of the study, said that animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror often have more advanced cognitive abilities, and that there is a connection with social and emotional intelligence, as well as self-awareness.
| Photo: teptong/Depositphotos |
“Our results suggest a level of consciousness in roosters and chickens that prompts discussions about animal rights and welfare,” – she says.
Researchers note that roosters usually scream if they see a threat from the air, such as a bird of prey.
However, if the rooster is alone, it usually does not sound the alarm, as it can attract the attention of a predator.
In their first series of experiments, the team placed a rooster in one of two sections of the room.
A mirror, another rooster was placed in another section, or the place was left empty.
The team then projected the silhouette of a hawk in flight onto the ceiling of the section with the first rooster.
The results of a study involving 58 roosters showed that the birds emitted much more alarm signals when they saw another rooster.
The obtained data indicate that the birds did not perceive their reflection as another rooster, even when they were accompanied by the smell and sound of the second bird.
While this may suggest that roosters can recognize themselves in the mirror, the team says there is another version.
“It’s also possible that they thought their reflection was a strange member of their species, mimicking their every move, causing them not to sound an alarm out of annoyance.” – said Hillemacher.
The researchers also used a traditional “judgment test” to test self-recognition in the mirror.
In these experiments, 18 roosters were given a pink or clear powder just under their beaks, on their chests, in a place they wouldn’t normally see.
The birds’ reactions were then observed in the presence and absence of the mirror to investigate whether they could see the mark on their body.
The results showed that although the birds touched and groomed themselves, their behavior did not differ when a mirror was present or if the tag was pink or clear.
The research team notes that since chickens and roosters are among the least expected “candidates” to recognize their own reflection, the results have important implications.
“If roosters can distinguish their own reflection from the gaze of a conspecific, it is likely that this cognitive ability is much more widespread than previously thought.”, – the team writes.
It will be recalled that earlier scientists discovered that wild penguins can have self-awareness.
Read also: In Africa, mammals are more afraid of humans than predators – study
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