Parrots have the ability to mimmic human speech. So what exactly prevents them from manipulating it in such a way to develop their own language?

Gnomon

Parrots' brains have not developed in such a way that they can use complex language, although they can produce the sounds. Only humans have that ability. Even chimpanzees, although they can communicate well using sign language, seldom express anything more complicated than "want food" or "see man". Aug 18 03, 6:13 AM

Senior Moments

The Norwegian Blue has beautiful plummage but not enough energy to talk due to it's constant state of rest. Aug 18 03, 6:52 AM

sequoianoir

Since birds do not have vocal chords, they must learn to speak by working the muscles in their throats to control the movement of air. This is quite a trick. The problem is that they "do not understand what they are saying". They do have their own language and can communicate with other parrots by noises and posture (body language) etc. To some degree this (and their talking) is used as communication with humans. We can recognise from their natural noises and gestures whether they are "happy" or frightened, and like a dog (or any animal that can be trained that cannot "talk") word (noise) association can be put together with an action. If a parrot is taught to say "biscuit" and every time it says it you give it a biscuit, if it likes biscuits it may soon work out that it can "ask for one". (as posted in Qn # 37615) Aug 18 03, 7:28 AM