Overview
- A peer-reviewed PLoS ONE paper reports evidence that some companion parrots use human-given names to label specific people and animals.
- Researchers analyzed survey responses and audio from 889 captive parrots collected by ManyParrots, a citizen-science network of parrot owners.
- Owners submitted 413 recordings of name use, and researchers judged 88 to show clear individual labeling rather than simple mimicry.
- Parrots sometimes used names in ways people would not, such as calling their own name to get attention.
- The authors note that all observed names were taught by humans and urge follow-up studies to test how parrots learn names and whether wild birds do the same.