Best Mimic?

[Ziekenzie]

Hello everyone! First, I would like to preface this question with reassuring everyone that I would not get a parrot just because of their ability to mimic. Now on to the question.

I’m curious if anyone has any insight on which bird is the best mimic. When I say mimic, I’m not trying to refer to human speech but rather sounds and maybe other birds. I also know that every bird is different and generalizations aren’t usually recommended. However, I do believe that some species simply have the ability, while other birds lack it.

Thank you in advance

 

[FeatheredM]

Ravens, and mockingbirds mimick sounds pretty well. It's difficult to know.

 

[Kiwi's Dad]

Hi, like you said you should never get a bird just because they mimic or talk, but I have found my cockatiel is very good at whistling and have heard amazons talk very well. Hope this helps

 

[Ziekenzie]

Ravens, and mockingbirds mimick sounds pretty well. It's difficult to know.

I was thinking more on the lines or parrots, but this is really interesting!

 

[Sparkles99]

Supposedly the largest vocabulary was a lone budgie, but I think most budgies wouldn't want to live alone. And it depends on what you mean: that budgie (Disco on YouTube) sounded very much like a bird despite speaking English. Some birds sound human. Others make convincing noises. Still others are argued to use words in context. Those are four different skills & there are doubtless others.

 

[FeatheredM]

African greys are pretty good speakers too. I also heard one mimicking alot of noises extremely clearly in a nice parrot store.

 

[Shezbug]

This would depend if you are talking about parrots only or all birds. As far as parrots go I would think it would be African greys and amazons- I think they are possibly the best mimicking parrots that I can think of.

Some birds sound just like birds copying other sounds and some sound just like the thing they are copying.

 

[Toy]

I'd say African Greys. Ours can imitate our U2 and B&G Macaw to a T. Our CAG also talks, whistles, beeps like heavy machinery backing up (had a neighbor that was shocked, as he really thought is was machinery making the sound & not her), etc. She relates sounds, words, etc., to items & actions as well. CAG's are highly intelligent.

 

[Mizzely]

Mynah birds, crows, Ravens, mockingbirds, anything in the family Mimidae family including thrashers and catbirds.

Which birds are the best mimics?

Northern Mockingbirds are one of the best mimics in North America. Photo by Dean Hester/Macaulay Library. https://youtu.be/KRgvpjcSNcM Several birds could make the claim to be the world's best mimic. In North America master mimics include mockingbirds, thrashers, and catbirds; all of which a

www.allaboutbirds.org

The superb lyrebird:

As for parrots, African Greys are definitely accomplished. My Jardine's perfectly replicates cell phone ringtones, telephone rings, fire alarms, microwaves, and other beeps and sounds. I've heard some very good Amazon mimics too.

 

[Shezbug]

Lyre birds are also extremely awesome at mimicry.

 

[SumitaSinh]

My orange winged Amazon cannot imitate human speech properly, but he's a perfectionist when other bird calls are concerned. I have noticed wild cuckoo and crow get confused when Inca mimics their call . So, I think it's a huge spectrum and very difficult to choose one species.

 

[Icey]

I've seen quite a few videos of parrots and personally I would have to say African Grey would be the best mimics. They can come out with quite alot of sounds and clear vocalizations.

 

[sunnysmom]

African Grey's can often talk really well. But little budgies can be amazing too. I think for tunes, male tiels might be the best whistlers. I have seen some Amazons that can mimic really well too.

 

[Wardy]

Lyre birds are also extremely awesome at mimicry.

Sir David Attenbourough says Lyre birds but i couldnt find that vid