2006-08-16 06:15:33 · 23 answers · asked by tildypops 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
It has nothing to do with the size of the brain. It's the construction of the vocal cords.
2006-08-16 06:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by SuzeY 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parrots don't just mimic sounds, some parrots can actually converse intelligently with humans. I read an article on BBC a while ago about an American woman who studies birds and has an African Grey that know's colours, shapes and textures and can tell her what he wants and what he likes/dislikes.
My Quaker Parrot can talk to a certain extent especially when it's time for the kids to go to bed he goes up with them, kisses them and says night night, lights out. It's so funny and he only does this at night time if he goes up during the day or in a morning he doesn't do this.
2006-08-17 11:36:43 · answer #2 · answered by Annette C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As many others have pointed out, brain size is irrelevant. Parrots are the 5th smartest animal in the world. Dogs are 7th. Parrots have both the vocal chords and the brain capacity to mimic various sounds. They can do phones, car alarms and voices. Their ability to communicate through speech is very limited as they usually don't understand what they are saying.In the wild it's a defense mechanism. In captivity they use it to get love and attention. Great apes are the smartest animal and they are completely incapable of speech.
2006-08-16 13:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by taskr36 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brain size in no way indicates level of intelligence. The brightest of the parrots (the African Gray) is actually one of the smaller of the parrots but they are incredibly smart. I know because the one sitting about ten feet from me just told me so.
2006-08-16 06:22:04 · answer #4 · answered by sam21462 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course dogs have voice boxes and vocal cords, its how they bark. Its got nothing to do with brain size, speech and language are controlled by a certain area of the brain, in dogs its very poorly developed in comparison to ours. Parrots are good at mimicry and can copy noises that they hear. Thats probably because in a flock of identical birds they still need to find their mate and offspring. They do it by recognising each others voice.
2006-08-16 06:50:13 · answer #5 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolute brain size means nothing.
A hippo's brain is much bigger than yours.
Relative brain size is what counts - the weight of the brain in relation to the weight of the animal.
Parrots actually have an emotional response worthy of a three year old human
2006-08-16 06:25:38 · answer #6 · answered by savs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parrots have evolved to mimic other sounds as a defense mechanism, big toothed dogs who live in packs don't need this ability.
2006-08-16 06:21:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like many people parrots are educated beyond their inteligence.
Dogs just walk the walk.
2006-08-16 06:28:36 · answer #8 · answered by Captain Eyewash 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Parrots have the vocal ability to duplicate sounds and words.
2006-08-16 06:21:28 · answer #9 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
parrots dont really talk, they just mimic sounds they hear. they dont know what they are saying.. with enough training a bird will learn thatif it makes a certain sound it willl get something. Dogs can learn alot more, and while they cant talk, they are good at letting thier feelings be known..
2006-08-16 06:22:55 · answer #10 · answered by writenimage 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋