I agree with the general call for skepticism against the idea that displaced reference is so unique in the animal kingdom. Where I do not agree, is the implicit argument of "if a bee can do it then it's trivial".
Within the animal kingdom, the sophistication of the honey bee's waggle dance, with predicates and combinable to a large number of phrases, is rare. The only other major example I can think of are primate calls.
Bees are also highly intelligent; on a watt for watt, pound for bound basis, their only other rival might be the portia spider. Bees can communicate angles, distance and adjust for the movement of the sun when relaying these. They can learn abstract patterns and generalize. If you asked me which was more intelligent, the honey bee or the chicken, I'd be hard pressed to give an answer.
Within the animal kingdom, the sophistication of the honey bee's waggle dance, with predicates and combinable to a large number of phrases, is rare. The only other major example I can think of are primate calls.
Bees are also highly intelligent; on a watt for watt, pound for bound basis, their only other rival might be the portia spider. Bees can communicate angles, distance and adjust for the movement of the sun when relaying these. They can learn abstract patterns and generalize. If you asked me which was more intelligent, the honey bee or the chicken, I'd be hard pressed to give an answer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_learning_and_communication