Historian with macaw behavior question

EThomasWood

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Aug 30, 2018
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Greetings, Everyone--

I don't have a parrot, though some of the posts I see here make me wish I did. I'm an author working on a biography of a U.S. Army general who was in command at the Panama Canal Zone when World War II broke out in 1941.

I'm seeking clarity on a couple of assertions I have seen regarding George, the macaw this general and his staff kept at their quarters:

* "Orders are orders, but no one has ever talked back to Andrews, the story goes, except old George, a red and green Macaw, who customarily perched upon the general’s shoulder during meals in Panama and cursed him while he ate." (E.T. Baker III, "Flying Chief of Yanks in Europe Started Army Career on a Horse." Baltimore Sun, February 21, 1943) (cartoon here: http://www.the-wood-family.org/Macaw_cartoon.pdf)

* At Albrook Field, quarters were at the end of the runway. P-40's would roar over the house on takeoff, "and the macaw thought: I can outdo that. He would cut loose with the most god-awful screeches you've ever heard." (Interview with general's daughter)

1) Would a macaw habitually cuss at its owner? If so, would it happen because some previous owner had trained it to do so? I understand they have long life-spans.

2) Would a macaw imitate aircraft engines that were roaring overhead?

I'll be grateful for any wisdom available here.

Thanks,
Tom
 
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SailBoat

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Thank-you for visiting Parrot Forums to address questions regarding a Historical figure and an America Hero. May you enjoy your search within Parrot Forums!

To Your Questions:

1) Would a macaw habitually cuss at its owner? If so, would it happen because some previous owner had trained it to do so? I understand they have long life-spans.


Parrots can have very long lives and as a result, many owners. Macaws are one of the longest lived Parrots and it is not uncommon for them to have picked-up 'language skills' that are not always socially welcomed. It is also not uncommon for their owners to accept their Parrots state, as it is just the way s/he is and life goes on. The Parrot likely does not see it as a cuss word.


2) Would a macaw imitate aircraft engines that were roaring overhead?


It would not be uncommon for many Parrots to pick-up common words and noises. It is also not uncommon for them to also, as in this case, roar back at the offensive aircraft.


Will be happy to provide more depth if needed.
 
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Scott

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Fascinating topic, I wish you well with the research!

If anyone wishes to hear the glorious sound of a P-40 powered by the Allison V-1710 12 cyl engine, check out this video. FF to 1 min 12 sec for the overhead ambiance!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVTIoBxaJhE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVTIoBxaJhE[/ame]
 

Laurasea

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Parrots like drama! So he may not have been taught per say to say naughty words. But if he over heard them being used, especially if a lot of emotion or dramatic hand movements we're used, bingo he will pick that up. And if he got a reaction when he used the word like a laugh, or even surprise, or a scolding, well then he us going to keep on springing that word or phrase on people!!! I have a second hand quaker who curses! She also barks like a dog, and meows, and makes various mechanical sounds. Sounds like a great book!! Keep us posted so we can read it.
 

GaleriaGila

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I am so glad you stopped by! I know we'd love to help you at any point as you build your book.

Sounds as if the bird was a Red-and-Green Macaw, more commonly known to most of us as a Greenwing or Green-Winged Macaw. There's a vague possibility it could have been something else, if the 'red and green' was just a color reference. Members, any ideas? Military, maybe?
 
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Rozalka

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Sounds as if the bird was a Red-and-Green Macaw, more commonly known to most of us as a Greenwing or Green-Winged Macaw. There's a vague possibility it could have been something else, if the 'red and green' was just a color reference. Members, any ideas? Military, maybe?
Red and green macaw is an other name of a green winged macaw. Commonly this name isn't use but I often see this name in encyclopedias (e.g. Wikipedia)
 
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Laurasea

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BTW George may have been a she and not a he! ;) No way of knowing back then....
 

noodles123

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Parrots pick up words- if a parrot heard someone cuss at his owner, or if the parrot heard his owner cuss (at the bird or at another person, or just in general) it could have easily picked that up and repeated it in a way that made it look as though the bird was cussing at his owner. ESPECIALLY if the expletives were said with passion/emotion or other accompanying drama (as cuss-words usually are). Sometimes random words get a strong reaction, and an attention loving bird will cling to those words/phrases (especially if they continue to get a reaction). Heck---in terms of reactions, for most birds, even something well-intentioned like, "OH NO! NAUGHTY, BAD, BIRD" is great fun. Also, my parrot (adopted at 10) came to me with many words that she continues to use, but she has also picked up new ones since (thankfully, they are all appropriate ones haha).

Many birds imitate sounds. My uncles Timneh African Grey wasn't a huge talker but she loved to imitate doors, the microwave, foot-steps, toilets, POURING WINE etc etc.... AND WITH GREAT ACCURACY...Confusing accuracy...as in, "who just left the house?" accuracy. My cockatoo does less of this, but she does appear to have picked up dog sounds from her previous home. She talks a lot and randomly uses words (some frequently, others once-in-a-while, and others, only 1x).


In terms of the type of bird, listen to other users before me, but something about the eyes(and parrot size-to-human-head proportion) in that picture makes me think of a Severe Macaw (I know cartoons aren't exactly known for proportion...but....)They are red and green as well (a slightly smaller version of the traditional Macaw). A Severe Macaw certainly would be easier to carry on your shoulder, but I know many full-sized Macaw owners allow shoulder perching as well....so....I don't know if that helps... Good luck!


PS: In the cartoon, Andrews resembles Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" --ANYONE???
 
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Karlys

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I just wonder if the author meant that the macaw would chat up a storm, being very loud/angry sounding, when they said it would sit on his shoulder and "cursed him." The bird could very well have learned to cuss but that's not what I would've drawn from that sentence. Birds definitely react to things, like the airplanes (or the doorbell or the microwave or a song they like), but they also have periods throughout the day where they talk/scream/chatter/whistle/sing for no reason other than they like it. My cockatiel is singing me the song of her people, as I like to call it, right now lol.
 

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