Parrot uses tool

[Lord Zentei]

New Caledonia crows can actually modify tools to suit their purpose.

*Waits for the unavoidable "I for one welcome our new overlords" comment.*

It's DEAD, all right? It's F*ING DEAD!

Was it ever alive to begin with?

[Superman]

On a serious note...

Let's say that 99% of all the parrots die. The remaining parrots constitute a breading population. Let's also say that these parrots can use a tool the way this parrot does.

Now, when these parrots make offspring, the young parrots will see this behavior and probably copy it. Now, a few generations later, we have parrots that use tools.

Now fast forward a good 1000 generations. Would we have any significant biological change due to this ability?

[Molyneux]

On a serious note...

Let's say that 99% of all the parrots die. The remaining parrots constitute a breading population. Let's also say that these parrots can use a tool the way this parrot does.

Now, when these parrots make offspring, the young parrots will see this behavior and probably copy it. Now, a few generations later, we have parrots that use tools.

Now fast forward a good 1000 generations. Would we have any significant biological change due to this ability?

If they're not in the wild, then I think we might.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

On a serious note...

Let's say that 99% of all the parrots die. The remaining parrots constitute a breading population. Let's also say that these parrots can use a tool the way this parrot does.

Now, when these parrots make offspring, the young parrots will see this behavior and probably copy it. Now, a few generations later, we have parrots that use tools.

Now fast forward a good 1000 generations. Would we have any significant biological change due to this ability?

Probably. If tool-use offers one of these hypothetical parrots a distinct survival advantage over a parrot who's not as adept at using tools, then there's a distinct benefit to traits which would enhance tool usage, which would eventually generate parrots that are mentally quicker on the uptake and perhaps more dexterous with their foot-beak coordination than their ancestors. Depending on how strong the selective pressures are, the trends will be that much more pronounced.

[Superman]

Oh and by the way, I meant to say 'breeding' population, not 'breading.' Unless the tool using provides for them a way to make the actual bread. That would be one hell of an evolutionary advantage...

[Shinova]

We'll have birds that carry sharp sticks like lances as they fly. LOL, flying pike-men or something.

[wolveraptor]

I don't think parrots would get as far evolutionarily as people seem to be thinking. As has been pointed out repeatedly, they're fliers. They can't afford to have big-ass brains like primates. Unless they reverted to a terrestrial existence, they wouldn't be able to develop much beyond their current status.