Care and Training Needs of Popular Talking Birds

Despite their small brains, many birds develop sophisticated social structures with diverse systems of communication. Vocalization serves an important part in both communicating and learning a new behavior. Songbirds and parrots constitute the majority of birds that can mimic human speech, but scientists are discovering that they are not the only ones. Continue reading to learn about different types of talking birds.

1. Mynas

Among talking birds, none speaks with more clarity than the common hill myna (Gracula religiosa), also spelled mynah. Mynas can have a vocabulary of up to 100 words and are renowned for their ability to replicate the pitch and tone of human language with remarkable clarity.’ It is not just speech that interests the myna, either. Mynas have been observed repeating the songs of other birds in their territory and even accurately replicating the sounds of car horns and chainsaws.

Common hill mynas are native to Southeast Asia. Mynas are small birds that adapt well to domestic life and have highly sociable personalities, making them great pets. However, not every myna will be interested in speech. Training from an early age, maintaining consistency, and positive reinforcement will improve the odds of raising a talkative myna.

2. Grey Parrots

Most parrot species are capable of speech, but the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) has a vocabulary to rival them all. A well-trained adult of the species can learn approximately 1,000 words. That’s roughly equivalent to a three-year-old human. Grey parrots have demonstrated cognitive and puzzle-solving skills comparable to those of young children. Unlike the majority of talking birds, there is an indication that the grey parrot can contextualize words. A study conducted over a 26-month training period resulted in a parrot being able to combine nouns, adjectives, and the word “no” to convey interest — or lack of interest — in a variety of objects.

These qualities can make grey parrots a tempting choice for a pet when evaluating the different talking birds. However, these birds are neither affordable nor easy for beginners to care for. While they bond closely with their human caregiver, they can develop a need for constant attention. Both regular socialization and activity are necessary, as these birds cannot learn to speak without the proper training. Adopting a grey parrot typically costs between $500 and $1,000, while purchasing from breeders can be significantly more expensive. This does not include ongoing costs for food, toys, and veterinary care.

3. Budgerigars

Commonly known throughout the world as either budgies or parakeets, the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is one of the most common talking birds. The budgie lacks vocal cords and instead replicates pitch and sound by squeezing muscles in its throat. These birds can distinguish one another based on their voices. They can also recognize faces and voices of humans. Research indicates that males in the wild are more likely to learn new intonations and that mimicry began as a mating ritual.

Budgies are affordable and common pets that are easy to care for. They are also regularly ranked among the top five talking birds. A budgie named Puck earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for possessing a vocabulary of 1,728 words. Exceptionally smart, Puck was able to combine words into unique phrases and sentences.

4. Quaker Parrots

Many birds are capable of learning human speech, but few learn words and phrases without training and positive reinforcement. That is not the case with the Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus), also known as the monk parakeet. Quaker parrots are fast learners who also mimic songs and other noises in their environment. Chances are, they will pick up phrases without any help from their caregiver.

Quaker parrots are friendly and are generally considered a great choice for a pet. Unfortunately, ownership is not legal everywhere. Several U.S. states have banned quaker parrots as pets because they are considered an invasive species. They can breed rapidly and pose a serious threat to agriculture in areas where they have been introduced. They are the only parrot species that build large communal stick nests.

5. Macaw

Macaws (Ara) are a colorful group of birds native to Central and South America. They prefer to live in forests; however, a few macaw species have been observed in savannas. Macaws have a remarkable ability to mimic human speech. The group has been recorded not only repeating words, but also phrases and songs. Unlike other birds, which may repeat a word or two, some macaws can reuse words in context as well, making them uncanny conversationalists.

Macaws mate for life, enjoy mutual grooming, and share food with their partners. Depending on the species, macaws mate once every year or two. The female incubates the egg, while the male looks for food.