Parrots are seriously so strange, in the best way possible. I have to assume that the first person who ever heard a parrot speak probably went a little crazy. “Uhhh… Did that bird just talk?”
As fascinating as they are, we learn that one parrot is an absolute charmer in this recent video shared by @thebluerio on TikTok, as he repeatedly greets his parrot pal with a few of his favorite adorable phrases.
@theblueriowhen you constantly need attention🤣💙 #indianringneck #talkingparrot #love #fyp #foryoupage
Now, obviously most of the things parrots say stem from what they hear, so it’s hard not to imagine the parents of this parrot greeting this little guy the same way all the time. “Hi baby,” he says as his friend flies up to the branch. “Hi babe,” he adds, followed by another little, “Hi baby.” But it’s the flirty, “Hi! Hi…” that cracked me up the most. Too funny!
Related: ‘Self Conscious’ Parrot Practicing His Dance Moves Before His Date Is Pure Romance
Also, does anyone else agree that it almost looks fake? I know it isn’t, but parrots are sort of like the best ventriloquists ever. Since his beak movements aren’t completely synched with the sounds, it throws me off a bit. Either way, I could sit here and watch this conversation all day long. I want a pet parrot!
Can parrots really talk?
Most of us know that parrots (and actually a handful of other birds) seem to be able to talk. I mean, they can talk, but the question is: can they hold a real conversation?
Well, the simple answer is possibly.
While experts say parrots probably don’t understand meanings of most words, according to the website Wonderopolis, “They are aware of the context surrounding words and can make associations with the words.”
For one example, a researcher named Tim Wright explained why a parrot might ask “How are you?” when you enter the room.
“It’s likely not asking about your well-being,” he says. “Instead, the parrot imitates the words it has heard you say many times upon walking into a room. Your parrot has made an association between you entering the room and that phrase.”
The point is, most parrots are simply mimicking their owners, and unfortunately, they don’t really know what they’re saying. So, a conversation with a parrot is actually, in a way, just a conversation with yourself.
In fact, they imitate many things, from spoken words to creaking doors to barking dogs (which is pretty hilarious), but with that said, some professionally-trained parrots have learned to understand what they’re saying. But it’s very rare.
As mentioned, parrots aren’t the only birds that can learn to imitate sounds, either. Some other birds that can “talk” are crows, ravens, Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Budgies and Cockatiels, to name a few.
But I will admit, it’d be pretty freaky to be walking down the street and have a crow say, “Hi baby,” as you strolled past it. Can you imagine?
Hey, if you’re convinced your bird does in fact know how to talk, I won’t sit here and argue with you. I believe you! But the next time you two are conversing, think if that silly little bird reminds you of someone familiar. You might be surprised.
