Pets are generally seen as a medium for company. People usually get a pet to make sure they are not alone, or bored, or to have a friend. Pets, animals have their own language of communication. They do not speak words but makes noise until it becomes familiar to their owners. This is their way of communicating with us. However, it often remains a question do they really understand what we are trying to say? Do they understand our language?
Even if they do, they always remain the listener in the process. But all of us hope that there must me some pet who can talk back at us. Someone like a talking parrot!!! There are many rumours and interpretations about a parrot being able to talk. Some believe it is a true phenomenon where as some just ignore. Yet, studies show that a speaking parrot is not a fictional story. It is a true event that happened and still occurs with proper training.
Well, it might be simply astounding for an owner to watch his parrot talk. But not all species of parrots can really talk. And even if they speak there are certain limitations to it. Parrots are able to imitate only the human speech and no other kind. Hence, their talking skills include sheerly words. Unlike human beings they do not have vocal chords to support their talking. Still they have the correct type of anatomy which helps them speak. Our feathered friend has an organ called as syrinx situated at the lower most part of its trachea in the chest. It plays the same function as the larynx in our human anatomy. The sound is obtained by releasing air across the mouth of its bifurcated trachea. Thus, diverse sounds are shaped by variation in the depth and design of the trachea. This proves that the talking of a parrot is actually the whistling in various tones.
According to Steve Hartman of the Parrot University, parrots are counted among the six animals that use verbal communication to interact with others. Parrots are extremely social pets and yearn for attention and interaction from their human partners. It is believed that the parrot has more chances of talking if you start teaching them since a tender age. A well grown bird can be redundant in changing its talking habits. The necessary environment required for growing a talking parrot is just being a vocal person and having a very vocal family. This eventually develops the talking practice on your parrot.
There are different aspects that must be taken into consideration while teaching your parrot how to speak. Repetition is one of the prime factors here. Make sure you use similar and familiar words around the bird every day. This makes the bird known to those words and helps him generate it. Do not forget the actions while talking. This helps the parrot understand what is meant for what. Or else he will just learn the words without knowing its meaning.
Although not every parrot can be categorised as a talking parrot, still there are a few that can be listed. Some of them are:
- MONK PARAKEET: This is a colourful little bird which is actually a small parrot. It is also famous as Quaker Parakeet. Irrespective of their size, their intellectual abilities are higher. They are social and develop wide vocabularies of words and phrases.
- INDIAN RINGNECK: These are capable of speaking in complete sentences without any breaks. Though they speak in their own bird voice, they catch and understand the mood behind the speaking.
- BUDGERIGAR: It is also well-known as a Parakeet or a Budgie. It is a very common bird who can learn various phrases and even songs. They do not have clear and definite voices. Males are believed to be more proficient of talking than females.
- BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON: If you are planning to have a pet for lifetime than this bird should be on the top of your list. A blue-fronted Amazon can survive up to 100 years! They have a loud clear voice and are skilled to perfectly mimic human voice.
- ECLECTUS: The eclectus come in two different colours. The males are in green while the females are in bright red colour. They copy the human talking accurately. Not just the words but even the mood and tone of the language. However, its abilities are shaped to the best if it is trained since a young age. Otherwise it is just some other feathered parrot.
- HILL MYNA: The hill myna is a pretty little black bird that has an amazing ability to imitate the human voices. It not only mimics voices, but even has a soothing voice that makes the listening peaceful. They have an affinity towards singing.
- YELLOW-NAPED AMAZON: Among the Amazon birds, this one is credited as the best with its talking capabilities. They sing and are highly intelligent birds who can talk also.
- AFRICAN GREY: He can be tagged as the lion of the talking bird’s category. He is the smartest and the most intelligent in this genre in the animal kingdom. Experts say that these birds learn to speak and share to human concepts at the same level as a human tot.
So these were some of the talking birds/parrots one can pet. Though these birds standout as a pet and makes you look extra ordinary, care must be taken that they are not used as a medium of show-off. They must be adopted for companionship. Hence, their talking ability should not be stressed and pressurised. They are just birds with a quirky factor and must be looked at in the same way. They need the same domestication as any other bird and must be given accordingly.
