Parrots can make complex economic decisions, at least according to German scientists. 33 macaws and African grey parrots were taught to recognise the value of tokens which could be exchanged for food as part of the experiment at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. The birds then had to invest their tokens, either in low-value immediate rewards, or high-value but more expensive rewards. The most patient parrots could exchange their tokens for pieces of walnut, while the less determined traders were stuck with dry corn or sunflower seeds. Scientists found that when offered a low quality food or a token, the parrots ... (full story)