Parrots don’t just mimic. They learn and can understand context.

Our Parrot, Lois, taught herself to ring a bell when we give her a pistachio. And she does so as soon as she sees us take one from the container. I believe she is saying thank you. She says, “Bye-bye,” when she hears me zip up my backpack and when she sees me put on a jacket. She also says, “I love you,” when she sees one of us crying, and, “Oops,” if we stumble or drop something. (She used to say, “Oh Shit!”)

Lois knows my name is Glen and that “Glen” is connected to me. She picked up my name from my wife but understands that it symbolizes me. That’s context; she’s not just “Parroting.”