In 2010, a parrot with a British accent, identical to its owner’s, went missing. Four years later, the owner and the parrot were reunited, but with a noticeable change – the parrot had lost its British accent and was now chattering away in Spanish. Parrots, along with a few other bird species, are the only animals that can produce human speech, and some do it almost uncannily well. But how is this possible?
Most wild parrots are highly social. They use vocalizations for mating, territorial displays, and to coordinate group movements. Some species have flocks that continuously split and fuse, meaning individual parrots must be able to communicate with many others. Parrots use contact calls to interact and stay in touch when others are out of sight. The way they use these calls depends on the species and the size of their flocks. For instance, Monk parakeets live in large colonies and have individualized contact calls that help them stand out. On the other hand, Yellow-naped Amazon parrots forage in smaller groups that learn and share highly similar contact calls.
This need for sophisticated mimicry may partially explain why Yellow-naped Amazons and some other parrots can closely imitate a wide range of sounds, including the human voice. So, how does a parrot actually declare that “Polly wants a cracker”? Unlike humans who use their larynx to string sounds together, parrots originate the sound in their syrinx, located at the base of their windpipe. As sounds leave the airway, parrots shape them using their tongues and beaks. They can do this because they have especially flexible, powerful tongues that help them manipulate seeds and nuts. Additionally, while parrots’ beaks are rigid, they have very flexible jaw joints, giving them a lot of control over how wide and how quickly they open their beaks.
Like other animals with learned vocalizations, parrot brains contain interconnected regions that allow them to hear, remember, modify, and produce complex sounds. But while songbirds have just one song system in their brains, almost all parrots seem to have an additional circuit. Scientists believe that this might give them extra flexibility when it comes to learning the calls of their own species and ours. With this specialized anatomy, parrots can bark, scream, curse, and recite factoids. One intrepid lost parrot managed to get back home after repeating his full name and address to helpful strangers.
When most captive parrots talk, they’re likely attempting to form social bonds in the absence of their own species. Many probably have associations with words and may be drawn to ones that elicit certain responses, hence their capacity for profanity. But, especially after training, parrots have been observed to say things in the appropriate contexts and assign meaning to words – saying “goodnight” at the end of the day, asking for certain treats, or counting and picking objects. One extensively trained African grey parrot named Alex became the first non-human animal to pose an existential question when he asked what color he was.
Whether they’re belting Beyoncé, head-banging to classic rock, or rattling off cuss words at zoo-goers, parrots are constantly astounding us, as they have been for millennia. However, our fascination with parrots has also made them vulnerable. Sought by poachers and pet traders, while losing their habitats to deforestation, wild populations have decreased dramatically. To truly understand parrots, we need to preserve and study them in the wild.
Try to mimic different sounds just like a parrot! Record yourself imitating various sounds such as a doorbell, a dog barking, or even a simple phrase in another language. Share your recordings with the class and see who can guess what each sound is.
Imagine you are a parrot in a large flock. Create a unique contact call that you would use to communicate with your friends. Practice your call and then use it to “talk” to your classmates during a game of hide and seek.
Draw a detailed diagram of a parrot, labeling important parts like the syrinx, beak, and tongue. Explain how each part helps the parrot produce sounds and mimic human speech. Display your drawings in the classroom for everyone to learn from.
Using clay or other craft materials, create a model of a parrot’s brain. Highlight the interconnected regions that allow parrots to learn and produce complex sounds. Present your model to the class and explain how these brain regions differ from those of other birds.
Design a poster that raises awareness about the threats facing wild parrot populations. Include information on poaching, habitat loss, and ways people can help protect these fascinating birds. Hang your posters around the school to educate others about parrot conservation.
parrot (noun): A colorful and intelligent bird known for its ability to mimic human speech and other sounds. The parrot perched on the branch, entertaining the guests with its repertoire of phrases and tunes.
British accent (noun): A distinct way of pronouncing words and speaking associated with individuals from the United Kingdom. The parrot surprised everyone by mimicking a perfect British accent, just like its owner’s.
Spanish (adjective): Relating to or associated with the Spanish language. After its adventure, the parrot surprised its owner by chattering away in fluent Spanish instead of its previous accent.
social behavior (noun): Actions and interactions exhibited by animals within a group or community. The parrot’s social behavior was evident as it called out to its fellow parrots flying by.
vocalizations (noun): Sounds made by animals as a means of communication, often serving various purposes. The parrot’s vocalizations included squawks, whistles, and even a few words it had learned.
mimicry (noun): The ability to imitate or copy sounds, behaviors, or appearances of other beings. The parrot’s incredible mimicry allowed it to mimic not only human speech but also the sounds of other birds.
speech production (noun): The process by which sounds are produced to form words and communicate. Researchers studied the parrot’s speech production mechanisms to understand how it imitated human words.
parrot brains (noun): The neural structures and functions associated with the intelligence and behavior of parrots. Studies on parrot brains have revealed complex neural circuits responsible for their remarkable vocal abilities.
vocal learning (noun): The ability to acquire and modify sounds through exposure and practice, often associated with imitation. Vocal learning in parrots enables them to pick up and reproduce a wide range of sounds, including human speech.
understanding (noun): Comprehension or awareness of meanings, concepts, or information. Observing parrots’ ability to use words appropriately suggests a level of understanding beyond simple mimicry.
