Do they know what they are saying or are they just imitating what we say? Is it in any way language?
2007-01-02 17:59:25 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
African Greys do know what they are saying. A lot of research has been done proving that African Greys actually do cognitive thinking and speaking. By the time they reach maturity, they are capable of having the word capacity of a 7 - 8 year old child, with a cognitive capacity of about a 5 - 6 year old.
So please, don't insist that parrots simply mimic.
Oh... It's true that some just mimic. However, most of them are able to word associate. I have 2 Congo African Greys, an Umbrella Cockatoo, 2 Amazons and a Jardin's. These birds mimic some, but for the most part, they know word associations that will get a certain response from me or their environment.
The Greys are by far the smartest. These birds are quite capable of making up their own sentences & carrying on a conversation. They do know what they are saying, regardless of what the uneducated may like you to believe. I have one that talks English perfectly, another that speaks Congo. I understand both of them clearly.
So language? Yes. Some parrots can speak several.
2007-01-02 18:53:09 · answer #1 · answered by ruby_jazmin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How do the parrots talk and why?
A few reasons combine to explain why parrots talk:-
They simply have the right equipment. That is, the shape of their tongue and voice box enable them to imitate human sounds.
They are amongst the most intelligent of birds and therefore, actually enjoy learning 'tricks', interacting with humans, and having attention.
Imitating other sounds in the wild might enable them to trick predators and competitors into basically leaving them alone. However, this is only a theory.
also :Some parrots can learn to speak any language, depending on what language you speak to him.
The key to teaching your bird to talk, is to talk to your bird. Don't just repeat one word over and over again, but really talk to him. Tell him what you are doing - ask him what he is doing - say hello when you enter his room and say good bye or bye bye or see you later when you leave. Tell him you are going to work when you leave for work, telll him you're home when you return and ask him if he wants an apple when you are giving him an apple.
2007-01-02 18:01:59 · answer #2 · answered by Amazing_clarity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Parrots do imitate alot of what they hear. But studies sugguest that they know what they are saying to us. (Check out Alex the African Grey.)
2007-01-02 18:18:06 · answer #3 · answered by Jusme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Grays do know what they are saying. I have a Congo and he finishes almost all of my sentences. If I stub my toe he yells before I do.
If my kids go into the cabinets he yells for them to get out and go back to your room.
The other day we all sat down for a quiet dinner. (not easy when there is a gray around) He yelled my daughters name Hailey she answered what he asked what are you doing? She stated eating and then he stated do it now. We all started laughing.
I know they Grey does more then mimic I hear it everyday all day long. Heck he has a larger vocabulary then some of the people I know.
2007-01-02 23:06:54 · answer #4 · answered by Jen H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most birds just imitate sounds.
The larger parrots, and expecially the african Grey seem to understand what the words mean.
It has been said that the african Grey has the understanding of a five year old child.
2007-01-02 22:37:46 · answer #5 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just imitate the sounds they hear.
2007-01-02 18:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yea on the African Grey..there is a famous African Grey "Alex" that a video is on.. where he counts, and picks out colors..
after I saw that..I now treat my bird with more respect..
and acknowledge he is talking to me..
I came in the other day..(he didn't know) and he was singing Christmas Carols.
i know it doesn't answer how..but I am acknowledging the intelligence they have..
I mostly try to keep my bird amused...and stimulated..mentally..
2007-01-03 00:41:40 · answer #7 · answered by m2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do not know what they are saying, and they cannot talk. They only mi mick the sound with air, and have no vocal cords.
2007-01-02 18:02:32 · answer #8 · answered by careercollegestudent69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some animals are brought up from a baby so it's up to the owner to descied if they would like to teach their pets to speak but some animals just carn't speak.
2007-01-02 21:26:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will attempt to repeat whatever they hear, any language, they really dont know what they are saying.
2007-01-02 18:12:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋