What types of birds can talk?

Answer 1

Parrots are known for their verbal abilities. But Mynah birds and crows have been known to talk as well.
I must take exception to "Chinadoll" and "worldstiti's" answers. Neither of you have any recent scientific data backing up your claims that parrots don't understand what they say. I have data. LOTS of Data! There is a TON of scientific proof that that parrots are cognitive:

cog‧ni‧tive  /ˈkɒgnɪtɪv/
Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kog-ni-tiv] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective 1. of or pertaining to cognition.
2. of or pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.



Birds can be taught to understand language. Please don't state things when you have no idea what you are saying.
You show me data backing up your statement and we'll see who has the longer list. Here is my data:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Grey_Parrot

http://www.pbs.org/saf/1201/hotline/hpepperberg.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animalmind/intelligence.html

http://www.123compute.net/dreaming/knocking/alex.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/irene-pepperberg


This next one might take you a while...it's a book. Yes I have it. Yes I've read it. Dr. Pepperberg even autographed it for me:

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Studies-Cognitive-Communicative-Abilities/dp/067400051X


http://web.mit.edu/giving/spectrum/winter01/smart-talk.html

http://ask.yahoo.com/20021104.html

http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/pigeon_spotting.htm

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/pepperberg03/pepperberg_index.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-07/bu-agp070805.php

http://www.upatsix.com/faq/greyfaq.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/07/0715_050715_parrotzero.html

http://www.bl.uk/collections/sound-archive/listentonature/specialinterestlang/langofbirds14.html

I could go on. There are thousands of references to parrots understanding what is said to them and parrots understanding what they say to you.
There are books in print and studies being done every day about parrot intelligence.
I guess what bothers me most is that people hear things from years ago and just "Parrot" it back, so to speak. That is short sighted and does not serve anyone well. Please do your research simply replying to an answer without thinking.
And just ask a few of the Human Parrot Companions who frequent this Forum. They'll tell you their parrots understand them.

Answer 2

Well... If you want a small bird that talks it's best to get a budgie... They talk if you say the word or sentence a lot to them... but they don't understand what they're saying... They only immitate noises around the house or you. They cost about 50$ and they're REALLY cute. If you want a really smart bird then buy a cockadoo... They're extremely smart; they have the intellect of a 3 year old kid (which is smart for a parrot). they cost about 1000$. Macaus are really pretty and also smart. They also cost about 1000$. But if you're willing to get a parrot that speaks the best I sujest you get an African grey parrot. Those are REALLY smart and speak well. They also cost about 1000$. But remember the bigger the bird the more noise!!! Hope I helped!!! :)

Answer 3

Tiels can mimic sounds....like short phrases they can say in a whistleish voice. My tiel says PRETTY BIRD but they can also mimic sounds perfectly, like the phone, doorbell etc.

If you go to youtube.com and look up charlie budgie you will see one smart budgie/parakeet, but that not too common for them.

I have an African Grey. They talk the MOST and yes, I mean talk. They are the smartest bird and can not only learn thousands of words, but use them correctly. A grey will say "Let me out!" if you say that every time you open their cage. They can understand that when you / they say that, the door gets opened.

They can learn to say good morning in the am and good night at night, and not get them confused. And sooooo many other things.

They can learn the words to entire songs.

They can also mimic voices. Like when my aunt's bird swears..he uses my uncles exact voice! When he asks for a peanut, he uses my aunts!
:)

Answer 4

Parrots, Cockatoos, Macaws, parakeets, Cocketiels, African Greys, Crows, Mynahs, Raven, Magpie and starlings.

Crows have the greatest potential and usually learn the largest vocabulary, but the large and giant sized Parrots usually exhibit the ability to not only mimic but to create their own sentences and understand the words themselves and how they are used.

Answer 5

I was told all birds with a hooked beak can talk, like an amazon

Answer 6

I agree with Phoenix, birds can and do talk and will ask correctly for things they want like certain foods, toys and people. My White-Eyed Conure has a respectable vocabulary and uses it appropriately.

Answer 7

Larger birds....African gray are the best talkers and smaller breeds, the Quaker is almost as talkative as the Gray.

Answer 8

The parrots

Answer 9

Mostly parrots as well as some Mockingbirds ( Mocks often just repeat what they hear.)

Answer 10

Mostly parrots, but the bigger ones have more vocabulary usually...parakeets have big vocabularies, but you have to work with them a lot!