Parrots can mimic voices. Some are so good at it they can play tricks on humans.
We once had neighbors that had a pet parrot. One day when they were not at home their parrot kept the mailman waiting at their doorstep. He kept knocking on their door, and the parrot kept responding, “Just a minute, I’m in the shower.” This sequence kept repeating over and over again until another neighbor walking by was flagged down by the mailman and questioned. The neighbor laughed at him and told the mailman about their parrot.
My grandmother told me stories about her sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Gilbert. They had a pet parrot that could mimic Pauline’s voice so clearly that it often would fool Gilbert. He would be working in the barns or garage, and the parrot would scream, “Gilbert, dinner’s ready!” or “Gilbert, come here I need your help.” Gilbert would hear this and come running toward the house. He would arrive to discover that it was their parrot calling him. The parrot remained their pet despite these tricks.
Parrots have been domesticated for centuries. Probably one the the best known parrots is fictional. In Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, Treasure Island, there was a parrot character named, Captain Flint. It was the companion of the pirate Long John Silver, and it would perch on this pirate’s shoulder. The popularity of the book, Treasure Island, created a connection between pirates and parrots that is still in play today.
I was surprised to learn today that several of our U.S. presidents had pet parrots or macaws (which is the largest species of parrot.) You can read more about this subject at a website about presidential pets or the Audubon organization.
The macaw you see pictured here was at the Salisbury Zoo in Maryland. The pictures were taken by me.
movingforwardslowly 