Budgies find yawns irresistible too

Contagious yawning affects budgies

source: New Scientist vol 213 no 2847, January 14 2012 p14

Budgies are affected by contagious yawning, according to Andrew Gallup from Binghampton University, New York. He observed 21 budgies for 15 days, recording their yawns. Previously, contagious yawning had only been observed in primates. Budgies are more likely to copy neighbours yawning following a sudden loud noise, so yawning may help a group deal with a threat by enhancing coordination and group awareness.

BI,BT