Random question about bird language

[Any Name You Wish]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a book and was asked to clarify a moment I describe involving my parrot, Uglow. Shortly before I filed for divorce, he said, “Mommy, Daddy, Uglow.”

I’d spent about seven years trying to teach him “Daddy,” and that was the only time he ever said it, before or since. The timing stood out because it happened during a stressful period I didn’t fully recognize at the time. I’ve often wondered if it was coincidence, mimicry, or maybe a sign he was responding to something that was happening and I might not have been aware of at the time.

Has anyone experienced something similar - bird suddenly saying something meaningful once and never again?

For context, Uglow and I are both doing great now. He's the best! I’m simply trying to understand the moment better as I finish writing the book.

Thanks, and happy post-Halloween!

 

[rheashard2]

When I get migraine, or feeling poorly pain from trigeminal neuralgia. The pain puts paid on my activity. Nameliss says in a soft inquiring and unidentified voice...are you feeling alright or are you feeling better now. She'll repeat it randomly until I am feeling better. The voice is probably from TV or movie. She only says it if I am feeling bad. So yes, identifying a flock member having problems is well within in an intelligent birds understanding.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Parrots can certainly show empathy.

 

[texsize]

My Bella uses the phrase “red butt shower” as a universal “I want xxxxx”.
One day she kept asking and asking for RBS and I kept telling her no over and over.
Finally she completely surprised me by saying.
Red Butt Sh!T .
And she stopped asking for that day.

That’s a word she definitely knows but I can count the number of times she has said it on the fingers of one hand.

So yes they can pull out words you don’t expect at appropriate times.

 

[rheashard2]

My Bella uses the phrase “red butt shower” as a universal “I want xxxxx”.
One day she kept asking and asking for RBS and I kept telling her no over and over.
Finally she completely surprised me by saying.
Red Butt Sh!T .
And she stopped asking for that day.

That’s a word she definitely knows but I can count the number of times she has said it on the fingers of one hand.

So yes they can pull out words you don’t expect at appropriate times.

Too true. That's the (often embarrassing) fun of a parrot that talks.

 

[Pickle's Mom]

So yes, Piccolo has responded to situations by saying different things that are in perfect context, and then never said again, etc. The time that shocked us the most I think was when he was around 2. We were sitting in traffic at a red light. There was a steep hill coming down on the right. A person was on their bike and pulling one of those covered carriers that is usually meant for children, but in this case had everything they owned in it and it looked pretty unstable for staying on the cart. my husband and I watched him come flying down the hill and just barely make the turn at the corner. The wheels were off the ground etc. From the back seat we heard "whhhhaattt... wtf". I guess he was just expressing what we were thinking lol, but his timing absolutely fit what was going on. Never a dull moment. He also likes to whistle at women in the grocery store when he is out with my husband. Several times they didn't see him in his pack and assumed it was my husband lol

 

[rheashard2]

Why to some birds love flirting? In her pack my CAG talks sweetly to men. She does the same thing in video chat. Women get aggressive coo or drill sergeant tones. I don't always pay attention until I get glares.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Yesterday I was talking to my friends on FB messenger, and she lectured me on something I promised I wouldn't do, LOL. It was light-hearted lecturing and when she was done, Yvons went 'Uuuh Uh!' in a tone that said 'you shouldn't be doing that!'. Everyone burst out laughing. It was perfect timing on Yvons' part.

 

[Neil t]

I had a friend with African g parrot it talked loads but never his girlfriend name until 7 years in they split up that day it said it all day long