Parrots Are Not Just Mimicking Words—They Use Proper Names Like Humans to Identify Individuals

Parrots are not just mimicking words—they use proper names like humans to identify individuals

Like many animals, parrots make sounds that suggest they are talking with each other, maybe even calling out to a specific parrot. But do they truly have names in the same way people do? To find out, Lauryn Benedict, a biology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, didn't set up shop in the tropics to record parrot chatter, as they've done in the past. She instead found birds who spoke her language—birds that live with humans and mimi…

You Talkin’ to Me? Parrots Use Names in a Variety of Ways

A team of researchers found that many parrots use proper names in ways that are similar to humans. They also used proper names in some decidedly non-human ways.