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The Best of Our Knowledge
The Best Of Our Knowledge

Cats and Parrots

By Lucas Willard
Published March 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT
George Olah
/
Springer Nature
Ancient feathers found in the Ychsma tomb in Pachacamac. 

The Best of Our Knowledge explores topics on learning, education, and research.

Cats make a lot of noises. And while an individual cat’s meows, growls and hisses might be unique, researchers say their purrs might be the most reliable way to tell them apart.

And colorful feathers discovered in a coastal Peruvian cave clued researchers into an ancient parrot trade.

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The Best Of Our Knowledge scienceparrotfeathershistorytradecats
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Lucas Willard
Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.
See stories by Lucas Willard
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