Postnatal development of lateralized motor preference in the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Brain Cogn. 2001 Jun-Jul;46(1-2):276-9. doi: 10.1016/s0278-2626(01)80083-x.

Abstract

The parrot appears to provide a potentially unique animal model of handedness in humans, but few (if any) observational studies of early postnatal development of postural/motor asymmetries have been published. We studied three African Grey hatchlings, raised without human physical contact, for the first 5 months of life. All three animals failed to show consistent postural and/or motor asymmetries until the end of the 4 postnatal week. These results appear to be comparable to data from prior studies with human infants. Delayed development of lateral motor and/or postural preferences may represent an evolutionarily adaptive strategy for altricial animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / physiology
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Choice Behavior / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Parrots / physiology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Posture / physiology