Can Parrotlets Sing?

[Felix PP]

Hello. I live with an 11-month-old male parrotlet who is a great talker! But I’m wondering if he’ll ever learn to sing. Does anyone know of parrotlets singing human songs with actual words and notes? He definitely enjoys music and hearing people sing, but whenever I’ve heard him join in, it’s just been with one elongated sound that’s far from harmonious.

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome! Very few birds will ever "sing" with words, and I can not think of a substantiated case of a bird singing actual human words with the proper notes for the song. Certainly not a parrotlet. If possible, it would be one of the African grey or Amazon parrot species/subspecies.

 

[Tyrion]

My Double Yellow Headed Amazon sings ...it sounds like opera and she does make out the words if you listen carefully ..its very cute

 

[Sparkles99]

I thought you meant songs like birdsong. Now I’m curious; does your parrotlet sing parrot songs like male budgies do?

 

[Felix PP]

Yeah, I realize it’s a long stretch. But he seems smart and I have high hopes!
I have a video clip of him saying, “Good boy, Felix! Good job, good job! Good job listening! You did such a good job and I’m so proud of you!” which seems like an impressively long speech segment to me!
Here’s a video showing some of his words. I’ll try to get one of his ‘singing.’

 

[Shezbug]

Welcome! Very few birds will ever "sing" with words, and I can not think of a substantiated case of a bird singing actual human words with the proper notes for the song. Certainly not a parrotlet. If possible, it would be one of the African grey or Amazon parrot species/subspecies.

I get regular short clips of a friends amazon who sings some lovely opera and other songs too (he is a delight to listen to and watch) but I do believe the only birds I have seen actually singing human songs are amazons like you mention.

 

[Felix PP]

I finally got a video of him ‘singing.’ It’s basically just one extended note that he sings in the same key. (Sorry for the terrible angle/view )

July 3, 2024

This video may not be convincing that he’s trying to sing, but he only does this when people are singing, and I really think he’s trying to join in

 

[Sparkles99]

So, that’s pretty cute! I’d not describe him as singing though. You, yes. Him, no. He’s adorable regardless.

 

[PeterNPipe]

Awh! Our little green cheek just says/plays peekaboo. I don't really expect more, so your video was quite impressive! Such a cutie

 

[Mark & Da Boyz]

Streak, my Parrotlet who passed at 13 years could talk a little and chirp but not scream, they can't, or sang. Just not something the Parrotlets seem to be able to do. BUT those chirp can get loud!

 

[Felix PP]

He does sing! It’s just very unmelodious!

Felix singing

youtube.com