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Left Foot or Right? Handedness in Birds

Left Foot or Right? Handedness in Birds

Having a dominant hand improves skill and efficiency in complex tasks.

BirdNote Daily

November 22, 20251m 41s

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Show Notes

A parrot’s eyes are located on the sides of its head. So, if it wants to look at something — say, a delicious piece of fruit — it has to cock its head one way or the other do it. And if it looks with its left eye, then it uses its left foot. Scientists call this handedness. That’s when one hand or foot is used consistently over the other for doing complex tasks. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are almost all left-handed ... that is... left-footed!

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Topics

birdingsciencebirds