The Great green macaws in this study were able to recall their own actions above chance level, with a probability of accuracy of the single repeat trial of 75%, and of 65% for double repeat trials. The birds were able to repeat their own actions with delays of up to 21 seconds.
These results are similar to those previously reported in animals tested for memory performance. A similar study using the same repeat paradigm with blue-throated macaws reported 75% and 60% accuracy for single and double repeat trials respectively. The same study found that they were able to repeat significantly above chance at 10 s.
Another repeat paradigm study with pinnipeds found that their performance significantly above chance level in the single repeat trials was of 80% and 33% in double repeat trials. In the delayed repeat trials, they performed significantly above chance levels at 9 s time delay.
These results are similar to those previously reported in animals that tested for memory performance. A similar study using the same repeat paradigm with blue-throated macaws reported 75% and 60% accuracy for single and double repeat trials respectively. The same study found that they were able to repeat significantly above chance at 10 s.
Another repeat paradigm study in pinnipeds found that their performance significantly above chance level in the single repeat trials was of 80% and 33% in double repeat trials. In the delayed repeat trials, they performed significantly above chance levels at 9 s time delay.
For future studies, it would be valuable to include a novel behavior probe to test for generalization where the birds would be tested on their ability to transfer the repeat command to new behaviors. The implementation of an unexpected memory probe in which the birds would not have the expectation of repetition would help with further explanation of whether Great green macaws can encode and retrieve episodic-like memories.
This study provides evidence that Great green macaws are capable of recalling and repeating their own previously performed actions upon command. This would suggest that they possess the ability to mentally represent and retrieve their own past actions, a cognitive ability regarded as a prerequisite for self-representation and episodic-like memory.
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