Scimyst
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Discoveries
    • All
    • 1001 Mysteries
    • Aliens & UFOs
    • Animal World
    • Archaeology
    • Biology
    • Doomsday
    • Famous Landmarks
    • History
    • Mars Exploration
    • Military Science
    • Oceanography
    • Science Q&A
    • Scientific Discoveries
    • Space Science
    • Why
    • World Figures
    • World Wonders
    thanh pho trang 650

    The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

    creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

    Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

    which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

    Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

    strange spc exoplanet

    10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

    thuan tay trai 650

    Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

    cham do ben khoe mieng 650

    The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

    tinh van con cua 650

    Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

    cau hon o phap 650

    Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

    isaac Newton1

    10 Famous Inventions of Isaac Newton

    Trending Tags

    • Events
      • All
      • Science Stories
      • Scientific Projects

      Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

      frog

      Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

      canhcutIg

      Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

      Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

      10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

      nobelKT

      Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

      giaydientu

      “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

      Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

      a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

      A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Environment
      • Medicine & Health
      tdnong

      Global warming may be the cause of major storms

      traxanh1

      Green tea has effects against dementia

      Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

      Khachdulich Indonesia

      Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

      nao

      Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

      cafe

      Coffee May Prevent Cancer

      tebaocum

      Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

      Indo ban

      The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

      HIV aids

      The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

      Trending Tags

      • Technology
        • All
        • AI - Artificial Intelligence
        • Computer Science
        • New Technology
        • Scientific Inventions
        top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

        Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

        vai dien tu 650

        Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

        sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

        Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

        may tinh cu 1

        17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

        play free games super fun on android devices 54708

        Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

        top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

        Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

        canh tay robot 650

        Robot system helps neutralize mines

        trang trai noi o rotterdam 650

        Modern Cities Combining Gardens and Cattle Farms

        city tree 650

        “High-tech” trees can purify polluted air

      • Cultural Heritage
        ai cap 650

        The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

        khao co 650

        Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

        baroque churches philippines 67188

        Baroque Churches – Philippines

        mont saint michel france 67265

        Mont Saint Michel Island – France

        acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

        Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

        language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

        Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

        historical city ayutthaya 67804

        Historical City of Ayutthaya

        historical city ayutthaya 67804 2

        Historic City of Ayutthaya

        mesa verde national park 67201

        Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

        Trending Tags

        • Entertainment
          • All
          • Photo Library
          • Videos

          Honesty

          Telephone

          Advanced Technology

          Terminal Illness

          Allergy

          Love Like Mars

          Super Definition

          Coi Sách

          Selling Candy

        No Result
        View All Result
        Scimyst
        • Home
        • Discoveries
          • All
          • 1001 Mysteries
          • Aliens & UFOs
          • Animal World
          • Archaeology
          • Biology
          • Doomsday
          • Famous Landmarks
          • History
          • Mars Exploration
          • Military Science
          • Oceanography
          • Science Q&A
          • Scientific Discoveries
          • Space Science
          • Why
          • World Figures
          • World Wonders
          thanh pho trang 650

          The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

          creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

          Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

          which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

          Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

          strange spc exoplanet

          10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

          thuan tay trai 650

          Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

          cham do ben khoe mieng 650

          The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

          tinh van con cua 650

          Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

          cau hon o phap 650

          Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

          isaac Newton1

          10 Famous Inventions of Isaac Newton

          Trending Tags

          • Events
            • All
            • Science Stories
            • Scientific Projects

            Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

            frog

            Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

            canhcutIg

            Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

            Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

            10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

            nobelKT

            Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

            giaydientu

            “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

            Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

            a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

            A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

          • Lifestyle
            • All
            • Environment
            • Medicine & Health
            tdnong

            Global warming may be the cause of major storms

            traxanh1

            Green tea has effects against dementia

            Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

            Khachdulich Indonesia

            Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

            nao

            Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

            cafe

            Coffee May Prevent Cancer

            tebaocum

            Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

            Indo ban

            The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

            HIV aids

            The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

            Trending Tags

            • Technology
              • All
              • AI - Artificial Intelligence
              • Computer Science
              • New Technology
              • Scientific Inventions
              top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

              Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

              vai dien tu 650

              Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

              sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

              Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

              may tinh cu 1

              17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

              play free games super fun on android devices 54708

              Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

              top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

              Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

              canh tay robot 650

              Robot system helps neutralize mines

              trang trai noi o rotterdam 650

              Modern Cities Combining Gardens and Cattle Farms

              city tree 650

              “High-tech” trees can purify polluted air

            • Cultural Heritage
              ai cap 650

              The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

              khao co 650

              Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

              baroque churches philippines 67188

              Baroque Churches – Philippines

              mont saint michel france 67265

              Mont Saint Michel Island – France

              acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

              Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

              language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

              Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

              historical city ayutthaya 67804

              Historical City of Ayutthaya

              historical city ayutthaya 67804 2

              Historic City of Ayutthaya

              mesa verde national park 67201

              Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

              Trending Tags

              • Entertainment
                • All
                • Photo Library
                • Videos

                Honesty

                Telephone

                Advanced Technology

                Terminal Illness

                Allergy

                Love Like Mars

                Super Definition

                Coi Sách

                Selling Candy

              No Result
              View All Result
              Scimyst
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home Discoveries Why

              Why Do Parrots Not Sing But Enjoy Mimicking Human Speech?

              by Sci
              July 15, 2024
              in Why
              0
              Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

              For a long time, we have known that some bird species can mimic sounds, with parrots being perhaps the most famous example. In fact, the English language uses the verb “parrot” to mean “to repeat someone else’s words without understanding or thinking.” However, have you ever wondered why parrots possess this skill?

              Reasons Parrots Like to Mimic Human Voices

              • Songbirds and Their Mimicking Ability
              • Purpose of Mimicking
              • Singing Skills and Evolution in Birds
              • Voice Mimicking in Parrots
              • Parrots Mimicking Human Speech and Language Learning in Humans
              • Why Can Parrots Mimic Human Voices So Well?

              It turns out that the ability to mimic sounds is not exclusive to parrots but has developed in all songbird species.

              Parrots are known for their ability to mimic human voices.
              Parrots are known for their ability to mimic human voices.

              Songbirds and Their Mimicking Ability

              Some animal and bird species not only produce sounds characteristic of their species but can also replicate sounds from other species! Such animals are referred to as vocal mimics.

              The majority of vocal mimics are songbirds. Other birds, known as “suboscines”, do not exhibit the ability to mimic sounds, except for a few species like parrots and hummingbirds.

              About half of the bird species worldwide are songbirds. Research on zebra finches has shown that young birds learn and remember their species’ sounds by mimicking the songs of their fathers or nearby males, starting as early as one week after hatching and continuing until they reach maturity.

              If isolated from their fathers during this critical learning period, young birds may develop abnormal calls. This highlights the importance of modeling in the song-learning process of birds.

              chim hot
              A bird singing to call its kind.

              Thanks to their innate song-learning ability, songbirds are very proficient in improving their pronunciation across various types of voices.

              Purpose of Mimicking

              In the 1930s, scientists observed that male parrots mimic better than female parrots. From this, they inferred that the ability to mimic sounds was a result of song learning to attract mates in male birds. Furthermore, male songbirds mostly mimic during mating season, confirming that the ability to mimic sounds evolved as a byproduct of song practice.

              It has also been noted that some songbird species create sounds to distract predators.

              Singing Skills and Evolution in Birds

              Typically, a singer with a wide vocal range is more successful than one with a narrower range. Similarly, male larks with a broader vocal range to learn various songs will have higher chances of successful mating.

              A parrot mimicking human speech.
              A parrot mimicking human speech.

              Through evolution, birds with limited singing abilities were eliminated. Ultimately, songbirds developed such extensive vocal skills that they could not only mimic the voices of their own species but also those of other species.

              Thus, the ability to mimic sounds emerged in songbirds as a byproduct of song learning.

              Voice Mimicking in Parrots

              Parrots are not classified as songbirds but are the most famous for their voice mimicking abilities. They can imitate complex pronunciations in human speech, learned from their caregivers.

              The reason for this is not to attract mates or to ward off predators, as scientists previously thought. Pet parrots often mimic humans to establish social bonds, and they mimic other species in the wild for similar reasons.

              Parrots Mimicking Human Speech and Language Learning in Humans

              In a study involving an African Grey parrot, scientists observed that it not only mimicked human speech but could also learn hundreds of words, understand their meanings, recognize objects by name, and even count! This research has led scientists to believe that parrots do not merely mimic; their pronunciation is very similar to human speech.

              The African Grey parrot is famous for its ability to speak and has been studied.
              The African Grey parrot is famous for its ability to speak and has been studied.

              This is a significant discovery, as humans are the only known species capable of using “language” until now, but this research indicates that parrots possess many abilities seen in humans, such as the capacity to recognize rhythm and count.

              Thus, many studies suggest that parrots mimic human speech to enhance their social bond with their caregivers. However, scientists have yet to determine the reasons and methods behind voice mimicry in parrots and some other suboscine species, and whether this skill has evolved similarly to songbirds.

              Why Can Parrots Mimic Human Voices So Well?

              Parrots have a unique ability to replicate sounds they hear, whether in the wild or domesticated. Language is a product that developed solely within human society. In addition to the necessity of phonation (through the coordinated movements of the throat, tongue, teeth, and lips) to articulate sounds, a combination of vocabulary and language rules is required to effectively express thoughts.

              For a parrot, sounds originate from an organ called the syrinx, located at the base of its trachea. Typically, many bird species have two vocal membranes within this organ, but parrots have only one. When sounds escape from the respiratory tract, parrots use their tongues and beaks to modulate them. Parrots can do this because they possess a uniquely flexible and powerful tongue.

              The parrot's brain contains many interconnected regions, allowing it to hear, remember, and speak.
              The parrot’s brain contains many interconnected regions, allowing it to hear, remember, and speak.

              Like other animals capable of learning sounds, a parrot’s brain contains interconnected regions that enable them to hear, remember, modify, and produce complex sounds. While songbirds have only one system in their brains, most parrots have an additional system.

              According to scientists, this may help parrots be more flexible in learning the calls of their species and human speech. With this specialized anatomical feature, parrots can bark, shout, and memorize bits of information.

              • Top 10 Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities in the World
              • Man Laughs Out Loud After Finding 5 Billion VND from a Falling Rock
              • Inventors Who Died Because of Their “Offspring”
              Tags: ability to mimic callsability to mimic human speechability to mimic sounds of parrotsanimals that mimic voicesparrot
              Next Post
              video not protecting humans how long can they live in space 81168

              Without protective gear, how long can a person survive in space?

              vietnam has 1 type of plant that is a valuable herb helping to lower blood pressure and fight oxidation effectively 135527

              Vietnam has a type of vine that is a precious medicinal herb that effectively lowers blood sugar and acts as an antioxidant

              belarus approves cuban lung cancer treatment vaccine 135529

              Belarus approves Cuba's lung cancer treatment vaccine

              Leave a Reply Cancel reply

              Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

              FEATURED POST

              the mystery of the mummified woman misidentified as an egyptian pharaoh 129359

              The Mystery of the Mummy of the Woman Mistaken for the Pharaoh of Egypt

              space monsters in mythology first appearance 129358

              Cosmic Monster ‘in Legend’ Appears for the First Time

              the most dangerous coastline in the world haunting the dreams of mangrove forests 108247

              The world’s most dangerous strait – The haunting toll measured in sailors’ lives

              10 amazing natural phenomena that challenge science 60818

              23 Mysterious Natural Phenomena That Challenge Science

              TRENDING

              nguoi ai cap co dai 650
              Scientific Discoveries

              What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

              the shirt that helps users hide security camera 126214
              Lifestyle

              The shirt that helps users hide from security cameras

              revealing technology bringing paul walker return fast furious 7 61252
              Scientific Discoveries

              What is CGI Technology?

              the lavish parties that entered the world records 124201
              Scientific Discoveries

              The Extravagant Banquets That Made Their Way into World History

              EDITOR PICK'S

              What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

              The shirt that helps users hide from security cameras

              No Tunnels, No Supports: China Stuns the World with a Bridge that Floats like Silk on the River

              The Extravagant Banquets That Made Their Way into World History

              20 Famous Inventions of Ancient China

              Bit Flip: A Strange Phenomenon Originating from Outer Space

              14 Most Powerful Military Forces in Ancient World History

              Newsletter

              THE MOST IMPORTANT WORLD NEWS AND EVENTS OF THE DAY

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              Category

              • 1001 Mysteries
              • AI – Artificial Intelligence
              • Aliens & UFOs
              • Animal World
              • Antibiotic Resistance
              • Archaeology
              • Bacteria & Insects
              • Biology
              • Biotechnology
              • Climate & Weather

              Site Link

              • Log in
              • Entries feed
              • Comments feed
              • WordPress.org

              About Us

              At Scimyst, we uncover the wonders of science, history, and culture. From ancient mysteries to modern innovations, our stories inspire curiosity and connect you to the fascinating world around us. Explore the unknown with us!

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Home
              • Discoveries
                • 1001 Mysteries
                • Aliens & UFOs
                • Animal World
                • Archaeology
                • Biology
                  • Bacteria & Insects
                  • Biotechnology
                  • Plants
                • Doomsday
                • Famous Landmarks
                • History
                  • This Day in History
                • Military Science
                • Mars Exploration
                • Oceanography
                • Science Q&A
                • Science Quiz
                • Scientific Discoveries
                • Space Science
                • Why
                • World Figures
                • World Wonders
                  • Cultural Heritage
                  • Vietnamese Heritage
              • Technology
                • AI – Artificial Intelligence
                • Computer Science
                • New Technology
                  • Self-Driving Cars
                • Scientific Inventions
              • Lifestyle
                • Cancer
                • Environment
                  • Climate & Weather
                  • Disasters
                  • Latest Storm Updates
                  • Nature
                  • Solutions
                • Medicine & Health
                  • Antibiotic Resistance
                  • Common Illnesses
                  • Dengue Fever
                  • Family Medicine Cabinet
                  • Food Safety
                  • Health
                  • Influenza Outbreak
                • Scientific Applications
              • Events
                • Science Events
                • Science Stories
                • Scientific Projects
              • Entertainment
                • Photo Library
                • Videos

              © 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture