There are plenty of cartoons that showcase birds speaking like humans. While it might seem far-fetched, there are birds that talk like humans in real life too. However, only certain bird species can do it, and some can remember more words and phrases than others. So, what are some birds that talk like humans and how do they do it?
How Do Birds Talk Like Humans?
Birds that say human words aren’t technically talking. Instead, they’re just mimicking the sounds they’ve heard. They can normally repeat a few words and phrases, but you can’t hold a conversation with them. Some of the most intelligent species may use words in correct contexts, but most talking birds simply repeat the same few words they know.
Only certain birds can mimic humans because of their structure. The muscles in their throats, the shape of their beaks, and the mobility of their tongues can influence whether they’re capable of saying human words. Their intelligence and behaviors also influence their abilities to mimic. Most birds cannot talk like humans because their structures and behaviors aren’t built for it.
Amazing Birds That Talk Like Humans
All over the world, there are birds that talk like humans. Some can only imitate a few words while others can learn hundreds or even thousands. Below, you’ll find some of the various birds that can speak.
1. Eclectus (Colorful Birds That Talk)
Eclectus birds have stunning colors, with males appearing bright green and females having bold red and blue feathers. They’re native to rainforests across regions of Oceania, including Papua New Guinea, Queensland, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. They can speak clearly, typically learning 50 to 150 words and phrases.
2. African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots are one of the most talented talking bird species. They can learn to mimic over 1,000 words. They’re said to have the intelligence of a two to three-year-old human, so they can sometimes say sentences in the correct context. While some experienced owners keep these birds as pets, they’re native to lowland forests across west and central Africa. Their feathers are mostly gray and white, except for their bright red tails.
3. Budgerigar (Common Pet Birds That Talk)
Budgerigars, also known as budgies and parakeets, are one of the most common pet birds. Yet, they still appear in the wild across the open woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands of Australia. While budgies can’t hold conversations with humans, they can mimic words and phrases they hear. Some budgies only learn a few words while others have hundreds in their vocabulary. Budgies are usually only 7 to 8 inches tall, and they have blue, green, and/or yellow feathers.
4. Cockatiel
Cockatiels are another common pet bird native to Australia. They typically live in arid and semi-arid regions while remaining close to water. They’re known for having a tall, curved feather crest and orange cheek patches. Their mimicking capabilities are similar to a budgie’s. They all have the potential to speak like humans, but some learn a lot more words and phrases than others.
5. American Crow (North American Birds That Talk)
If you live in North America, you’ve probably seen an American crow before. They have sleek black feathers that are hard to miss. Yet, you might not think of them as birds that talk. Most people know crows for their “caw” sound, but they can also mimic over 100 sounds, including human words. So, if a crow repeats words back to you, there’s no need to panic.
6. Quaker Parrot
Quaker parrots, also known as monk parakeets, are an invasive species in North America, but they’re actually native to southern South America. These small green parrots can learn over 50 words, but some are better at mimicking sounds than others. Some may even mimic other animals, such as dogs barking. They’re on the small side and typically have beautiful green feathers.
7. Ring-Necked Parakeet
Ring-necked parakeets, also known as rose-ringed parakeets and ringneck parrots, are medium-sized green birds native to India, other areas of southern Asia, and Africa. The name comes from the dark black and pink line around their necks. When they speak, they’re particularly great at mimicking longer phrases, making it sound like they’re actually having a conversation. They’re capable of learning over 200 words.
8. Common Myna
Myna birds, such as the common myna, can mimic noises. Common mynas are native to southern Asia, but they’re invasive to other areas of the world, such as southern Florida. They have mostly dark feathers with bright yellow coloring on their beaks, legs, and around their eyes. When they fly, you can see beautiful white feathers on their extended wings. With enough repetition, these birds can learn up to 100 words.
9. Macaw (Large Birds That Talk)
Macaws are some of the most colorful birds in the world and one of the most popular birds that talk. They’re famous for mimicking human speech, and they can typically learn about 50 words. Their speech capabilities vary depending on the macaw species. These gorgeous birds live across areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America, typically in forests near rivers. Species of macaws can have red, blue, green, and/or yellow feathers.
10. Yellow-Naped Amazon
The yellow-naped Amazon is a bright green bird with a yellow patch on its neck. They’re found in forests and tropical areas of Mexico and Central America. They’re highly intelligent and social birds, making it easy for them to mimic the sounds they hear. Some of them have learned hundreds of unique words and phrases.
11. Cockatoo
Cockatoos might not have the best speech mimicking abilities, but they can pick up some words and phrases. They will typically learn about 20 to 30 words, and they don’t try to sound too similar to the human they heard those words from. These birds sometimes “babble,” meaning they repeatedly make sounds that don’t resemble exact words. While expert bird keepers might have cockatoos as pets, these crested white birds are native to most of Oceania, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
12. European Starling (Invasive Birds That Talk)
European starlings are another species of talking birds that might surprise you. They’re invasive across North America, but they’re native to parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, so they have a wide range. These intelligent birds are great at mimicking sounds they hear, including human speech and car alarms. While you might not hear them talk like humans often, they frequently mimic the songs and calls of other birds. You might recognize their dark feathers with light-colored speckles.
13. Hill Myna
Like the common myna, hill mynas are another species that’s great at mimicking sounds. They can learn up to 100 human words, but they might also mimic bird sounds they hear. They’re native to regions of southern Asia, including India, China, Thailand, and Malaysia. Their feathers are much darker than common mynas, but they still have distinct yellow markings.
14. Northern Mockingbird
Northern mockingbirds are small, light gray birds that live across the United States and Mexico. The name “mockingbird” describes their ability to mimic sounds, usually the calls of other bird species. However, they can also mimic sounds humans make, including words and music. They can learn about 200 songs from other birds, but they only occasionally pick up human speech.
15. Sun Conure (Vibrant Birds That Talk)
Sun conures are known for their stunning yellow, orange, and green feathers. They’re native to northeastern South America and are typically found in inland tropical habitats. These birds can mimic human words, but they have a limited vocabulary compared to other talking birds. Most of them learn a few words when around humans, but some never mimic sounds at all.
Look for Incredible Birds That Talk
While many birds that talk like humans can be pets, they also appear in the wild around the world. A few of these species are even common in North America. Next time you’re admiring birds outside, keep an eye out for local talking birds. You might be delighted to hear some birds mimicking your words.
