Talking birds are birds that can mimic human speech. Talking birds have varying degrees of intelligence and communication capabilities: some, like the crow, a highly intelligent bird, are only able to mimic a few words and phrases, while some budgerigars have been observed to have a vocabulary of almost two thousand words. The Hill Myna is a commonly kept pet, well known for its talking ability – whilst its relative, the European Starling is also adept at mimicry.[1]
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Budgerigars
Puck
In 1995 a budgerigar named Puck was credited by Guinness World Records as having the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words.[2]
Sparkie Williams was a talking budgie who has provided the inspiration for an opera performed in Berlin in March 2009.
African Grey Parrots
The African Grey Parrots are particularly noted for their cognitive abilities. Some of the most notable African Grey Parrots are Alex, Prudle, N'kisi and a new rising star, Einstein.
Alex
Alex had a vocabulary of about 100 words,[3] but he was one of the most famous birds because of his cognitive abilities. In 2005, World Science reported that Alex understood the concept of zero. Alex died on September 6, 2007.[4]
Prudle
Prudle held the Guinness world record for bird with biggest vocabulary for many years with a documented vocabulary of 800 words.[5]
N'kisi
N'kisi is noted for his impressive English usage skills and other abilities. As of January 2004, he had a documented vocabulary of 950 words and shows signs of a sense of humor. N'kisi is believed to be one of the most advanced users of human language in the animal world.[6]
Einstein
Einstein appeared on many television shows and became famous for her ability to recreate sounds as well as voice. Video clips show her making the sound of a laser beam and an evil laugh. Trained by Stephanie White.[7]
Sparky
African Grey Sparky is a huge favourite on YouTube by copying one liners from the Still Game sitcom in a broad Scottish accent.[8]
Bibi
Bibi, a Congo African Grey Parrot, is best known for her ability to speak 20 different languages,[9] earning her the nickname "The Polyglot Parrot." At only three years of age, Bibi has already developed a vocabulary of about 300 words, and she understands the concepts of color and shape.
Amazon parrots
Many species of Amazona (particularly the yellow-head variety)[citation needed] are outstanding talkers. Yellow-napes, Double Yellow-headed, Yellow-crowned, and Panama Amazons are highly regarded as talking parrots.[citation needed]
Macaws
Arielle
Arielle is a pioneering bird demonstrating that the cliché “Parrots just imitate what they hear” is erroneous. Arielle, a Blue-and-yellow Macaw communicates ideas using a vocabulary of 4000 meaningful expressions. She speaks in several tenses, uses pronouns appropriately, attributes characteristics to animals and objects, and generally uses English correctly—she demonstrates a “Theory of Mind.” A book, based on recordings of her free speech, documents many aspects of the macaw’s linguistic abilities.[10]
Other Parrots
Most parrot species are capable of imitating human words. Many can learn to use phrases in context.
Hill Mynas
Hill Mynas are renowned for their ability to mimic the human voice. Many have claimed that the Hill Myna is the best talking bird and the best mimic in the world.[11]
Crows
Crows have long been considered to be highly intelligent, and top a bird IQ scale.[12]
Other Corvids
Magpies and other birds in the crow family have been known to produce human words, many using them with intent, in context.
See also
- Lyrebird, ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment
References
- ^ Talking Starlings
- ^ Claire Folkard (ed.), ed. Guinness World Records 2004. Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 085112-180-2.
- ^ Amazon.com: The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots: Books: Irene Maxine Pepperberg
- ^ Researchers explore whether parrot has concept of zero
- ^ African Grey Parrot
- ^ BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Animal world's communication kings
- ^ Einstein the Parrot | Profile on TED.com
- ^ http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/scooterman_2007/sparkythree.jpg
- ^ Parrot Speaks 20 Languages
- ^ Michael Dalton. Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English. Arielle Publishing. pp. 2007, pp.288. ISBN 978-0-9799698-0-5.
- ^ Hill Mynahs
- ^ BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Crows and jays top bird IQ scale
Further reading
- Smith, Fran; Friendly Feathers: Life with Pierre, an African Grey Parrot ISBN 978-0-615-22232-5
External links
- Recordings of an African Grey parrot talking
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