African Grey Vocabulary

[MelonCoops]

I read somewhere recently that an African Grey's average vocabulary of individual words is 25. Mine can say more than 75 individual words and combine them into sentences. Does this make her unique?

[lankeela]

Only if she speaks in three languages.

[fairkatrina]

An individual parrot's vocabulary depends on many factors, including (most importantly) the bird's intelligence. Your parrot is certainly one of the brighter ones if it can produce sentences, but it is not unique. How a bird responds to its vocal environment depends greatly on its character; some will only repeat a few words, but they will sound uncannily like their owners (I knew one parrot who loved to torment the owner's dogs by calling them and shouting at them in their master's voice). Some will attempt to replicate only, while some (like yours) will demonstrate a desire to communicate.

Animal language is a complex field, but scientists are certain that most animals have (at least) semi-complicated communication methods. Birds in particular are noted for their grasp of sentence structure, grammar and even dialect and accent; so there is no reason your parrot cannot translate this into a different language.

Probably the most intelligent animal at communicating with humans (at least, in a controlled environment) was a gorilla called Koko who was taught sign language, and who communicated in very technical terms with her keeper, describing abstract concepts like her moods, and even creating words when she didn't know the name for something (she famously complimented her keeper on his new "eye hat" - his glasses).

[wildwood]

75 is not unique, but it is a good skill level.

While parrots are good at imitating the human language, that is all it is. Some can say surprisingly long sentences and even sing, but it is the result of repetitive object association and mimicry. They are not able to construct a sentence without coaching.

Even what is considered to be the world's most talkative Grey who can identify dozens of objects and even colours, can not form a simple sentence.

I have purposely avoided describing mimic ability as a form of intelligence because talking is in no way beneficial to a bird, apart from pleasing its mis-matched mate.