Parrots talk by modifying the air that flows over the syrinx to make sounds. The syrinx is located where the trachea splits into the lungs. Parrots, particularly African Greys and members of the Amazon family are particularly good at imitating human words and sounds. ... Thinking of buying a parrot?

Why parrots can talk like humans?

About half of the bird species sing. ... In the wild, parrots usually make bird sounds because they are surrounded by other birds. But around humans, parrots often imitate human words because they see their owners as part of their new family, or “flock.” They copy human sounds to fit in with their human flock.

Do parrots understand what they say?

Experts say parrots probably do not understand meanings of most words. ... Most parrots are simply mimicking their owners. They don't really know what they're saying. But some professionally-trained parrots have learned to understand what they're saying.