Parrot mimics owner's voice to boss around her other pets

Telegraph.co.uk ^ | January 16, 2009 | Telegraph.co.uk

[libstripper]

Barney, an African Grey Parrot, calls Margaret Sullivan's three dogs – Harry, Tilly and Bluey – by name.

The bird, 10, squawks out orders like "come here" and even offers praise to his favourites such as "good dog".

Mrs Sullivan, 65, who lives in Tredworth, Gloucestershire, with partner Ken Kersey, 62, admitted that Barney has a "very high opinion of himself".

[libstripper]

Remarkable how so many of out companion animals are smarter than many people give them credit for.

[rockabyebaby]

Remarkable how so many of out companion animals are smarter than many people give them credit for.

Remarkable how so many of out companion animals are smarter than many people. give them credit for.

There, I fixed it!

[brytlea]

They are *smart* in different ways. If a bird learns a phrase (amazing, but not the same thing as speaking in human terms) and then when the bird uses the phrase something rewarding happens, the bird will continue to do that. It’s the same thing as a dog figuring out that when they sit they get a dog biscuit.

[andy58-in-nh]

"Come in, it's okay, my husband's gone, braaaawwwk!"

[Troll_House_Cookies]

Parrot mimics owner’s voice to boss around her other pets

-—Just like Obama does with SOROS!

[Badeye]

ROTFLMAO!

Ya know....we could draw that particular conversation out in detail.....

[chuck_the_tv_out]

that’s brilliant. i wish there was a video

[brytlea]

Come on, we need to see who the bird voted for before we can make that assessment!

[steve86]

No, that operant conditioning explanation has long been discredited as a complete explanation. Animals have combined and used phrases in novel ways not explainable by conditioning, not to mention other linquistic quirks which don't fit the operant model.

[I see my hands]

"when the bird uses the phrase something rewarding happens, the bird will continue to do that. It’s the same thing as a dog figuring out that when they sit they get a dog biscuit."

Same as humans.

[andy58-in-nh]

Dave Attell does a hilarious routine involving a parrot who he imagines using as sort of a living Palm Pilot. Far too off-color to repeat here, but it had me spewing adult beverages out of my nose when I first heard it.

[brytlea]

Can you cite me something I can read on that?

[brytlea]

Sure, humans can be trained the same way. It works on your kids (and husbands).

[Badeye]

I’ll keep a look out for it, thanks!

[Plutarch]

This story (and thread) is useless without video.

Inexplicably, the Telegraph has loads of video, but not for this story that I could find.

[JRandomFreeper]

It works on your kids (and husbands).

I was going to argue that point, but realize that here I am, single, male and living alone.... and the seat is down. Like it always is.

I guess the training took.

/johnny

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Ms. Sullivan must be the teeny, tiny woman who lives in a shoe. Cairn Terriers are not large dogs and the one she's holding dwarfs her. She's a darling senior citizen and it sounds like she has an equally darling menagerie.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Kinda like welfare recipients, right?

[brytlea]

LOL You sound well trained (plus you’re a FReeper!) Someone did a good job.

[brytlea]

Sadly, yes. In fact, I fear that if my dogs could vote the would be Democrats. They are used to almost everything being done for them for almost no work.