AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Vocal mimicry in wild African Grey Parrots Psittacus erithacus

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1993
Authors:CRUICKSHANK, ALICKJ, Gautier, J-P, CHAPPUIS, CLAUDE
Journal:Ibis
Volume:135
Issue:3
Date Published:1993
ISBN Number:1474-919X
Keywords:Erithacus, Gabon, Psittacidae, Psittacus, Psittacus erithacus
Abstract:The ability of captive Grey Parrots Psittacus erithacus to imitate heterospecific sounds is well known. Analysis of a sound recording from Zaire reveals the first evidence of vocal mimicry in the wild of nine species of birds and a bat. Examination of recordings from Gabon and the Ivory Coast indicates that vocal mimicry may be widespread in wild populations. Possible reasons why this phenomenon has not been detected before are discussed.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1993.tb02846.x
Short Title:Ibis
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith