Slashdot Mirror
Wild Parrots Learning To Talk From Escaped Pet Birds
bazzalunatic writes "Be careful what you teach a parrot. Some chatty pet parrots that have escaped back into the wild have taught wild parrots to talk. Seems the phenomenon could be integrated into the flock through generations. From the article: 'The evolution of language could well be passed on through the generations, says Ken. "If the parents are talkers and they produce chicks, their chicks are likely to pick up some of that," he says. This phenomenon is not unique; some lyrebirds in southern Australia still reproduce the sounds of axes and old shutter-box cameras their ancestors once learnt.'" While this doesn't reach the amazing level of Washoe the chimpanzee teaching sign language, it is still interesting and reminiscent of something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Maybe they really are pining for the fyords.
I am not your blowing wind, I am the lightning.
Why the hell does someone always try to bring Obama into the discussion?
Have you tuned into Fox News lately?
Why, they covering some governmental fuck up the others won't?
Teach them "Help! Help! They've turned me into a parrot!"
Parrots (and even chimps) only mimic. They do not actively teach.
You obviously don't have much experience here.
He is just parroting what he has heard on the subject.
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust