{"id":35262,"date":"2024-01-19T11:54:14","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T10:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/b1aba358-c8c2-49bc-a790-40c75c8a0ae7"},"modified":"2024-01-19T13:35:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T12:35:38","slug":"monk-parakeets-may-be-able-to-talk-like-humans-finds-new-study","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/monk-parakeets-may-be-able-to-talk-like-humans-finds-new-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Monk parakeets may be able to talk like humans, finds new study"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recordings made in Barcelona show these social birds have individual \u2018voiceprints\u2019, like humans. <\/p>

By Kenny Taylor\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 19 January 2024 at 10:54 AM<\/p>

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When it comes to communal living, monk parakeets \u2013 now a problem as a rapidly expanding introduced species in some Spanish cities \u2013 have several skills that help them. Building large stick nests used by multiple pairs (unique behaviour for a parrot) is one, as is the protection afforded by large flocks. Distinctive recognition of individual birds within those flocks might now be added to the monk\u2019s social attributes.<\/p>

Some other birds, as well as bats<\/a> and dolphins<\/a>, make \u2018signature\u2019 calls that can be used for individual identification, but these are just one call type \u2013 the equivalent of \u2018it\u2019s me, it\u2019s me.\u2019 Being able to recognise an individual from many different kinds of call is a subtler process, based on tone of voice. That\u2019s what we do as humans, where an individual person\u2019s \u2018voiceprint\u2019 is characteristic, no matter what they are saying.<\/p>

If monk parakeets do actively use voiceprints to identify each other, this would answer the question of how parrots can be both vocally flexible and social at the same time.<\/p><\/blockquote>