Do Parrots retain memory of years back?

I have a curious question and interested in what the community
thinks about this.

Do parrots retain memory of say a few years back or all of it?

Reason I asked this, I have seen some parrots that are rescues that are
rehomed and want to be sweeties and treated right, but now and then have a complete attitude change and just for say a few hours or a day.

My Zon is a rescue and there are times she gets quite vocal, but in listening to her it's almost as if she is reciting an argument or something in past, and always uses certain names of a person ( which I found out was a previous owner) and forcefully shouts that out and really gets cranky about it. The previous owner developed a brain issue and had hard time taking care of her and the other birds.

We had her ( Poppie)now since April 2012, and she's nearly 9 yrs old. She's mostly a sweet bird, but now and then she goes into this past thing.

So that's why I asked this question. I'll have to record her sometime
and show you what I mean.

Yes. Absolutely. Their memories are better than ours is...

In fact, there have been some studies that suggest they NAVIGATE, in large part, by memory. How's that for a level of both memory... and attention to detail.

That tree in the forest is different from this tree... turn right.

When you come to the fork in the river, turn left...

My nesting tree is the third Maple on your right hand side.

Can't miss it!

It's somewhat mind boggling for a person like me who is "directionally challenged" when you really stop and think about it.

I agree with everyone else. I have rescues too and it would be so much easier if my one could just forget everything that ever happened to him.

We had two rescues in the shelter that got dropped off because their owner was going through some bad times and knew she couldn't provide them a safe environment. Well they never picked anyone at the rescue and showed no interest in people. Well a couple years later the owner comes back with her life together wanting to see them to see if they remembered her and she could adopt them back. Both birds perked right up, started talking, and asking her to take them out. They both were adopted back to her since the birds obviously never forgot her and wanted to be with her again.

Definitely. My inlaws have a rehomed Sulfur Crested 'too. It wasn't a rescue situation, this bird had been well brought up and very well loved. He's adjusted and lovely at my inlaws, but the excitement when his old owners walk in is amazing! He's very chatty, cuddly and smoochy. He doesn't see them all that often but when he does, he knows exactly who they are!

riddick07 said:

I agree with everyone else. I have rescues too and it would be so much easier if my one could just forget everything that ever happened to him.

We had two rescues in the shelter that got dropped off because their owner was going through some bad times and knew she couldn't provide them a safe environment. Well they never picked anyone at the rescue and showed no interest in people. Well a couple years later the owner comes back with her life together wanting to see them to see if they remembered her and she could adopt them back. Both birds perked right up, started talking, and asking her to take them out. They both were adopted back to her since the birds obviously never forgot her and wanted to be with her again.

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Rescues are the ones I often wondered about in regards to memory. Like my Major Mitchell Cockatoo which lived to be nearly 69 years old. Had 4 owners prior to me. I found it curious if they could actually remember back say 30 to 50 years, even 60 years. I found my Trixie ( The Too) to recite word phrases from owners of the past in names of past and different tones of voices. Was quite interesting.

My Zon is a rescue, and I'm it's second owner. A few months back I took Poppie with me to the Avian store and once in, she went bonkers about another Zon, that Zon ( a yellow napped) was singing back to her. These two wanted badly to get close to each other. Come to find out, that Zon was also a previous bird of the owner that owned Poppie my BFA, and these two birds knew each other and called out to each other.

I felt heart broken that these two were separated, and actually wanted to bring that Zon home so they both could be together again, however it was on hold for a new Parront and has a new home now. But it's amazing how parrots remember after a few years away.

I agree as well, wish we could erase the bad memories from some of the rescue parrots. I wonder if they ever forget the bad things. Even when they have the perfect home now.

cnyguy said:

Elephants usually get credit for not forgetting, but parrots really deserve the credit. Parrots typically have exceptionally good memories, and can remember people, things and words from long past.

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My Birds, well most of them anyway, will most likely outlive me by years.
I often wondered how they'll remember me when I'm gone and they have new parronts. I can see my voice and my wife's living on or a while after we are gone and the tricks and habits they have that they will continue to use.

We'd like to live forever for our birds, but what happens to them once we're gone? Have all of you prepared for the next parront for your bird should something happen?

yes . they remember. I raised a panama chick for my girl friends sister. 25 yrs later i get the bird back and it's like not a single day has pasted. All the old sayings,songs, etc. Bird definitely remembered me.The old owners said it didn't talk much and it had been years since they handled him. Bird immediately stepped up for pets and started talking away, so happy to see me.

henpecked said:

yes . they remember. I raised a panama chick for my girl friends sister. 25 yrs later i get the bird back and it's like not a single day has pasted. All the old sayings,songs, etc. Bird definitely remembered me.The old owners said it didn't talk much and it had been years since they handled him. Bird immediately stepped up for pets and started talking away, so happy to see me.

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Awww, that is so cool !!! What a lovely reunion for the bird...awesome.