How parrots talk

[thebubbleking]

I knew this but interesting none the less.

Instead of a larynx with vocal chords, birds have a syrinx, a distended portion of the trachea. In the wall of the syrinx are two thin, oval membranes that vibrate and produce the bird’s vocalizations. Syrinxes differ slightly anatomically across bird families, involving the attachment of various muscles. Genetic differences also influence birds’ vocalizations.

Parrots and some members of the crow family are the perfect combination of anatomy and neurology to learn human speech. Their syrinxes are capable of making the sounds and, unlike some birds, they are not hard wired genetically to speak only one "language." Much in the same way English speakers can learn to speak French or Russian and vice versa, parrots and crows can learn to speak human words. However, for success it takes a willing, motivated student and a patient teacher.

[linda040899]

Thanks for sharing this, Jeremiah!

Things like this are always interesting. One thing I find amazing about parrots learning to speak is that they will pick up what they like the sound of much faster than sounds that are not quite so interesting. The quickest way for me to teach one of my birds to say something new is to say it in such a way as to catch their attention, such as exaggerating my pronounciation. :)