I get what your saying Mark and yes that is probablty true, however dogs and parrots are capable of abstract perception. For example some dogs have been shown to be able to percieve a picture of an apple as meaning you want them to find a real apple and go and get it, these were not trained actions but abstract perception. As in the dog was not trained to get an apple when the 'apple' card was held up, it did it itself.
Dr Ian Dunbar also gives dogs fairly complex tasks to complete by conversing with them.
For instance he will call a dog, give it a note and tell it to find Jamie (his kid) and give Jamie the note. He does this totally conversationally.
Anyway not trying to hijack the thread, just thought I would point it out for no particular reason.