I was recently asked whether or not I believe my Senegal parrot understands the meaning of what he says in English, or if he is merely repeating it as vocalization/mimicry. I’ve chosen to consider Dewey’s use of “bye-bye,” a word he most certainly learned by simply associating it with my leaving. I never failed to say it before going out in order to let him know everything is fine and I’ll be back. He soon responded by repeating “bye-bye” clearly, in his high-pitched voice.
From the start, Dewey never used the word at any other time. Did he really understand the meaning of “bye-bye” so quickly? All evidence points to the fact that the little genius did. He quickly began saying “bye-bye” before I did. I surmised that he heard and observed evidence that I was about to leave the house and knew exactly when I was ready to do so.
In time “bye-bye” took on different meanings:

If a visitor, someone he is familiar with, is about to leave, he is the first to say goodbye ever so sweetly.

If a repairman, or other stranger, is or is not quite ready to leave, Dewey’s tone of voice indicates that he is annoyed with the intrusion and wants to kick the person out. This situation usually prompts a series of rapidly repeated “bye-byes.”

            If he is back in his carrier at the vet’s office, Dewey’s tone of voice indicates that he is happy to have seen the vet, but also happy to get out of the office. His “bye-bye is said with an upbeat shout.

            Finally, one evening a prolonged long distance telephone call from a friend  of mine prompted Dewey to say “bye-bye” in escalating volume, ending in one angry shout, flared feathers and pinned pupils—very effective communication indeed.

            Is this a cognizant speech pattern? Indeed, yes.

            Dewey’s vocabulary is not extensive, but other utterances, such as “nite-nite,” “yoo-hoo,” “is a good bird,” “pretty boy,” “uh, oh,” “up-up,” and “rub head” provide further evidence of my little Senegal’s mastery of the English language.

            There are numerous books that discuss various aspects of parrot talk, including:

Dalton, Michael S. Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English. Arielle Pub. 1st ed.: (January 2007).

Grindol, Diane. Teaching Your Bird to Talk. (Abridged) Howell: (December 2003).

Copyright©2009 Rosemarie Riechel