Tumblr Users Share Hilariously Unbelievable Encounters That Prove Parrots Have Sense Of Humor
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Pet owners have all laughed at their pets at one point or another, but who has had their pet intentionally make them laugh? Well, one Tumblr thread, along with a 30-year-long research study, shows that there is one species that may be capable of demonstrating a sense of humor.
It was the late 1970’s when Dr. Irene Pepperberg began her study of African Grey Parrots. Her goal was to see if these birds, said to be the best of all their species at mimicry, were displaying an emotional intelligence past repeating learned phrases. The birds were proven to have the ability to develop and learn to a five-year-old human’s intellectual level. Through extensive work with her test subject ‘Alex’, she found he could not only mimic words but actively participate in conversations with his handlers. Alex’s abilities even developed to a point where he could understand how to emote language, using phrases such as “I’m sorry!” and “Calm down!” In Pepperberg’s 2008 memoir “Alex & Me” she talks about how the parrot displayed a sense of humor and would play pranks.
With a learning potential of up to about 2,000 words, the African Grey is definitely a one-of-a-kind bird. Alex was not unique in his capacity for humor, in the thread below you will see multiple stories of humorous encounters people have had with these notorious pranksters. (Cover image: Tracey R)
We all know that parrots have the ability to mimic words and sounds, but they are actually way more intelligent than you might think
Here are a few stories that prove they are not only capable of repeating words but know just how to use them too
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Keeping parrots is not for amateurs. You need skills and knowledge: Check out >>A message from our executive director<< http://chloesanctuary.org/ Otherwise you might be committing cruelty without even knowing it.
People should pay attention, and whoever downvoted you needs a smack on the head with a dead salmon. ALL birds are relatively fragile pets, but parrots are particularly demanding. I've known people who had them, and they're a terrific amount of work.
May I have permission to use "smack on the head with a dead salmon"? Because that's amazing.
100% agreed... the poor salmon though.
Haha does it have to be specifically a salmon, or would a large trout or cod fish also suffice?
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I downvoted you instead because I dislike you immensely.
Thank you! Birds (especially intelligent ones) are not decorations.
no animal should be perceived as decoration!
The same goes for children. I feel that some parents would have been much better off if they would have bought a doll!
OTOH cats are pretty decorative. Well. Mine think they are.
Naima Ivansdóttir - Exactly! So saddening that some people actually treat live pets as objects.
I completely agree. Might I add, even if you can take care of one, please don't buy baby parrots unless you actually know the person & how they treat their birds, it boosts an evil trade. There are plenty of greys who outlive their owners & while it might take a little while to meet one who likes you enough, it's well worth it to give the old birds a second chance. Mine was old & mean, but a really good companion & it felt good to earn his trust.
I'm concerned of how many of these stories speak of the parrot in past tense as if they don't have the bird anymore. These birds live like 60 years, what happened to them?
'Magpie' is the perfect screen name for someone working at a parrot sanctuary!
Thank you, I wish I did, it is just a thing I care about a lot.
No kidding, like feathered toddlers
African greys are extremly talented in mimicking sounds, words and voices. A friend of mine had an African grey and I couldn't tell the differnes between my friends voice and the bird. Many times I thought I was talking to my friend from another room but it was acctually the bird talking.
My aunt had a devil bird that used to call the dog by it's name. The dog would get so excited for friendship she'd jump up against the cage. Then a human would come in to yell at the dog and the bird would join in.
Hahaha! What an a*****e bird.
Nah, just a smart being who should have been living in a forest and had to make do with a cage. Anything to alleviate boredom!
Keeping parrots is not for amateurs. You need skills and knowledge: Check out >>A message from our executive director<< http://chloesanctuary.org/ Otherwise you might be committing cruelty without even knowing it.
People should pay attention, and whoever downvoted you needs a smack on the head with a dead salmon. ALL birds are relatively fragile pets, but parrots are particularly demanding. I've known people who had them, and they're a terrific amount of work.
May I have permission to use "smack on the head with a dead salmon"? Because that's amazing.
100% agreed... the poor salmon though.
Haha does it have to be specifically a salmon, or would a large trout or cod fish also suffice?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I downvoted you instead because I dislike you immensely.
Thank you! Birds (especially intelligent ones) are not decorations.
no animal should be perceived as decoration!
The same goes for children. I feel that some parents would have been much better off if they would have bought a doll!
OTOH cats are pretty decorative. Well. Mine think they are.
Naima Ivansdóttir - Exactly! So saddening that some people actually treat live pets as objects.
I completely agree. Might I add, even if you can take care of one, please don't buy baby parrots unless you actually know the person & how they treat their birds, it boosts an evil trade. There are plenty of greys who outlive their owners & while it might take a little while to meet one who likes you enough, it's well worth it to give the old birds a second chance. Mine was old & mean, but a really good companion & it felt good to earn his trust.
I'm concerned of how many of these stories speak of the parrot in past tense as if they don't have the bird anymore. These birds live like 60 years, what happened to them?
'Magpie' is the perfect screen name for someone working at a parrot sanctuary!
Thank you, I wish I did, it is just a thing I care about a lot.
No kidding, like feathered toddlers
African greys are extremly talented in mimicking sounds, words and voices. A friend of mine had an African grey and I couldn't tell the differnes between my friends voice and the bird. Many times I thought I was talking to my friend from another room but it was acctually the bird talking.
My aunt had a devil bird that used to call the dog by it's name. The dog would get so excited for friendship she'd jump up against the cage. Then a human would come in to yell at the dog and the bird would join in.
Hahaha! What an a*****e bird.
Nah, just a smart being who should have been living in a forest and had to make do with a cage. Anything to alleviate boredom!