We often see videos online about people training their pet birds to talk. These birds are typically mynas, crows, and parrots. Parrots seem to be the most intelligent of these three. They give TED talks, speak multiple languages, and even front heavy metal bands. Interestingly, parrots do not “talk” in the wild. They developed the exclusive way of talking as a means of communication with us after they have been domesticated (Newsroom Infobae, 2022). Why do they talk, and how do they achieve it, even if they do not have vocal cords? This article will explore the reasons in detail.
Mechanism of “Talking”
Similar to how birds can chirp and twitter, parrots talk through an organ called the syrinx. It is situated deep in the chest near the trachea bifurcation (Goller, 2022). Mambrana tympaniformis (the membranes of the syrinx) stretches and vibrates when air flows through (Wikipedia, 2024). The oscillation is then amplified by the air sac surrounding the syrinx. Amazingly, as noted in the podcast “BirdNote”, most songbirds’ syrinx is not much bigger than a raindrop. The syrinx is an extremely efficient instrument that uses nearly all the air that passes through it, unlike us who only use 2% of the air exhaled through the larynx to make sounds (Lederer, 2021). Using the syrinx as their hardware, parrots can produce any sound that can be imagined by a cognitive mechanism of imitation.
Ethology of “Talking”
Every bird has a syrinx, but why do parrots specifically “talk”? Harvard’s research by Dr. Pepperberg suggested that wild parrots use vocals to share important information and fit in with the flock, and this habit is maintained in the domesticated group since they naturally try to fit in the human society (Taylor, 2022).
Then another question arrives: do they actually know what they’re saying? Most pet parrots, if not trained professionally, may have some subtle but not complex associations with meanings. For example, saying “Hello, how are you?” when the owners enter the room does not necessarily mean they care about your well-being. More realistically, they are mimicking what they’ve heard before. A parrot’s understanding of “How are you?” is probably “Oh, look, someone has come into the room.” (Taylor, 2022)
However, if parrots are trained professionally, it is a different story. For instance, Waldo, a 21-year-old African Grey Parrot who has been in the band Hatebeak for 12 years (what started as a joke has become a successful venture), enjoys bananas and crackers. "We got him dehydrated banana chips, and he pieced it together and called it 'banana crackers' on his own," drummer Blake Harrison said (Taylor, 2022). It's a bit creepy, isn’t it ?
Conclusion
Utilizing the syrinx, parrots can produce a wide range of sounds. This ability is not just a random quirk but a sophisticated tool for social integration, whether in the wild or in human households. Their vocal talents are both intriguing and, admittedly, a little uncanny when someone accidentally teaches them how to swear. BUT, THEY’RE CUTE BY ALL MEANS.
Works Cited
Lederer, R. (2021). The Science of the Syrinx - Ornithology. [online] Ornithology. Available at: https://ornithology.com/the-science-of-the-syrinx/ [Accessed 25 May 2024].
Goller, F. (2022). The syrinx. CB/Current biology, [online] 32(20), pp.R1095–R1100. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.034.
Newsroom Infobae (2022). Why do parrots talk and how do they achieve it if they do not have vocal cords. [online] infobae. Available at: https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/04/24/why-do-parrots-talk-and-how-do-they-achieve-it-if-they-do-not-have-vocal-cords/ [Accessed 25 May 2024].
Wikipedia (2024). Syrinx (bird anatomy). [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrinx_(bird_anatomy) [Accessed 25 May 2024].
Taylor, A.P. (2022). Why Do Parrots Talk? [online] Audubon. Available at: https://www.audubon.org/news/why-do-parrots-talk [Accessed 25 May 2024].
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