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If you’ve never stopped to think about the level of intelligence some pets have, the internet and all of its animal superstars will remind you. I’m not talking about the AI-generated videos of a cat playing a guitar, but the real, everyday decisions some of these geniuses make that rival our own critical thinking.
If ever there were an example of Einstein’s IQ—but make it a bird—it’d be Preston, the Cockatoo. Though he’s known for his wild, chaotic ways, he’s always one-upping himself with things he knows how to do. This time, he’s using his skills on the dog!
Preston’s lore goes deep, so if you’re not familiar with this funny bird who had his own Inside Edition segment, he’s always bringing the laughs with his vivacious and bold personality. Sometimes that includes rage-baiting Mom, or arguing about going outside, so opening the door to let the dog in isn’t much of a stretch.
Like many of the Cockatoos I cover, Preston is evolving each day with new and exciting things he’s learned. Their knowledge seems endless, which makes me wonder if one day we’ll be living in our very own Planet of the Apes, but with gangster Cockatoos taking over.
Related: Cockatoo Who Loves Attention Becomes His Town’s ‘Prime Entertainment’ Source
No matter what Preston is doing, he’s pure entertainment. I feel like he was born knowing how to get under his mom’s skin because he’s a little too good at it, mimicking her laughter like a regular comedian.
How Smart Are Cockatoos?
You can scroll through all the Cockatoo content on the web, and you’ll find they’re all pretty smart. Their cognitive abilities have been compared to human toddlers, and ironically, primates (!), so the chances of them taking over are pretty high!
Their advanced problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to learn complicated tasks (even with tools) and remembering patterns put them a step above your basic bird. If you give a boy like Preston a puzzle, he’ll complete it faster and better than me—that’s the truth!
Because this Parrot species is highly social, learning from watching others, that means they’re also learning from their pet parents, too. So, if Mom doesn’t want Preston letting the dog in, tough cookies—he’s got the know-how and the audacity to do anything he wants… and he does!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.