How Some Birds Talk Like Humans: A Look at the Speech Power of these Creatures

in #animals7 years ago (edited)

Birds like parrots; parakeets etc. always delight people with their talk. But what makes them talk like humans? There are several reasons behind this.

It is delightful to observe talking birds. In order hear their mirthful mimicry or little speeches, people buy them as pets and spend quite a handsome sum of money to rear and train them. However, it will be interesting to know how these birds become capable of imitating human speech or taking in the first place?

Which Birds Talk?


The reason why talking birds attract people more as pets is because of the fact that all birds do not possess this unique ability. There are some birds that excel over the others when it comes to talking. Some of them are mynahs, parakeets, African grey parrots, and cockatiels.


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Physical Factors Behind Bird Speech


Many people would argue that birds do not talk automatically and have to be trained to do so. That is definitely true. However, it is also a matter of curiosity that some birds are capable of imitating human speech and learning it as well.

According to author, Harun Yahya in his article “The Miracle of Talking Birds-2,” many would wonder that birds might have a “larynx” that shares a “similar structure” to the one that humans have. However, he stresses that the birds have a “completely different” voice system and organs all together.

He further insists in his article that though birds do not have exactly the same “larynx” structure that humans possess, they make “sounds” through a “special vocal organ” called “syrinx.”

Different birds have different variations in their syrinx structure according to the article. According to the author, the “quality” of sound created by a bird depends on things like “windpipe length, voice-box, neck muscles, beak structure and their movements.”


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The author points out that some “parrots, budgerigars” etc. have a more sophisticated vocal system than other birds which helps them to speak better. In addition to this, some birds also have a “thick tongue” that enables them to talk like humans.

To substantiate this fact, the author cites studies made by Dr. Dianne Patterson and her colleague, Irene Pepperberg who have researched talking birds like grey parrots. Harun Yahya mentions that as per these researchers, owing to the “radically different” structure of a parrot’s “vocal cord,” even without “teeth or lips” they are capable of creating sounds that is similar to human voice.

With such extra ordinary talents, these birds definitely become an object of fascination for human beings. According to Yahya, these birds are also good speakers and imitators because of their listening power. Like their speech, they have an exceptional listening capability that enables to mimic human voices in the long run.

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Great, didn't know a lot of this!

Thanks glad you liked it!

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