Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Igor on 27/10/2007 11:35:18

Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: Igor on 27/10/2007 11:35:18
What is the evolutionary advantage of parrots mimicking the calls of other birds ?
Are they sabotaging the communications of competing species ?
Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 27/10/2007 19:13:01
Do they do that in the wild?
Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: RD on 30/10/2007 11:45:02
Quote
Imitating or mimicking the calls of other species is one way that birds can increase their own repertoire, and be more attractive to mates. They can also vary the order, sequence or repetition of phrases to sound more variable. The most renowned vocal mimics in the bird world include mockingbirds, starlings, mynahs, marsh warbler, lyrebirds, bowerbirds, scrub-birds and African robin-chats. Starlings in the Shetland islands in Scotland have been known to mimic sheep; in Oxford, England, they mimic buses. The lyrebird, which Sir David Attenborough meets on a log in a dense forest in Australia, is the bird world's best mimic. It can imitate 12 other birds. It does the whirring of a camera's motor drive and the click of a shutter. It repeats the engine of a car, and the din of a car alarm. It can even imitate the screech of the chainsaw wielded by the loggers coming to cut down its habitat.
http://www.pbs.org/lifeofbirds/songs/index.html
Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: Alandriel on 30/10/2007 17:41:27

Interesting quote. Thanks RD  [:)]

... the poor captive birds who have nothing else to copy than the doorbell, the dog or the phone.....
 [;D]
Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: lyner on 31/10/2007 17:02:04
Well, who's a pretty boy, now?
Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: RD on 01/11/2007 12:12:25
... the poor captive birds who have nothing else to copy than the doorbell, the dog or the phone.....
 [;D]
or sweet nothings ...

Quote
Parrot squawks on woman's affair 
 

A parrot owner was alerted to his girlfriend's infidelity when his talkative pet let the cat out of the bag by squawking "I love you Gary".
Suzy Collins had been meeting ex-work colleague "Gary" for four months in the Leeds flat she shared with her partner Chris Taylor, according to reports.

Mr Taylor apparently became suspicious after Ziggy croaked "Hiya Gary" when Ms Collins answered her mobile phone.

The parrot also made smooching sounds whenever the name Gary was said on TV.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4619764.stm

 


Title: Why do parrots parrot ?
Post by: craftsmaster on 13/06/2010 02:14:26
Parrots have a complex larynx comprised of three distinct muscles. The larynx distinguishes them as parrots and is what allows them to “parrot” humans quite well.