jespah@milton.u.washington.edu (Kathleen Hunt) (03/17/91)
Hi, I just met a talking crow and thought you guys might be interested. I was helping a friend put together some song sparrow aviaries on the roof of the Psych building here on campus, and while I was there she showed me some of the other birds that are kept there -- a lot of starlings and sparrows (someone is studying song learning with them) and cowbirds (don't know who's studying them) and a whole bunch of crows and Canada jays (studied for their caching behavior -- they get to hide food all over the place, and then months later they're tested to see if they remember where they put all the food). Anyway there is one crow who for some reason or other was unsuitable for the experiments. He/she (can't tell without a lap) is about 2 years old and is called Kwiliut, and is just a *gorgeous* bird. Beautiful plumage -- sleek, glossy, almost purplish black feathers -- and a lovely straight gleaming black bill (I've always had a weakness for corvids, can you tell?) Kwiliut got very excited when we came over, and started bobbing up and down, and puffed out all his/her belly feathers more than I thought was possible. My friend said "Hi, Kwil!" and immediately Kwiliut said "hi kwil, hi kwil" very clearly, The vowels were very soft and melodious, but the "k" sound was percussive and loud, like a twig snapping. Then Kwil said "phone call, phone call", again very clearly and softly with a bullet-like "c" sound. Kwil spoke with his/her bill pointed straight down, barely open, bobbing his/her head. I was totally enchanted. Kwil was *very* friendly and accepted a bit of potato chip very graciously, and let me scratch his/her head and neck. I thought it was pretty interesting, anyway. Kwil's voice was totally different in character from what I've heard from cockatiels, cockatoos, and parrots. Let's see, what other birds besides the Psittacines can talk? Other corvids can, I think -- jays, for instance -- and starlings and mynahs. There is one recorded & verified instance of a harbor seal mimicking human speech, the seal "Hoover" at the New England Aquarium (he is now dead, unfortunately!) He was found stranded on a beach and was raised by a Boston cab driver, who named him "Hoover" because he vacuumed up food. He could say "Hello!" "How are ya!" and "Get outta here!", all with a thick Boston accent. It seemed to take some effort -- he would float vertically in the water and then arch his neck backwards. His speech was extremely hoarse and growling. (I know seals aren't birds, but hey, it seemed relevant...) Kathleen P.S. I should add that the people keeping Kwil and the other birds I mentioned are university professors doing legitimate behavioral research, and have all the necessary state and federal permits. From what I saw they treat their birds very well. -- Kathleen Hunt / U.W. Zoology / jespah@milton.u.washington.edu "I'm beginning to think you academics would rather sit around talking than actually do anything." "Of course. What else is life for?"
edm@verdix.com (Ed Matthews) (03/20/91)
In article <18547@milton.u.washington.edu> jespah@milton.u.washington.edu (Kathleen Hunt) writes:
[about a talking crow]
I will never forget the time I was walking through the woods last September
and heard distinctively human vocalizations. After searching and searching
and concluding there was nothing there but a crow, it dawned on me that the
crow was doing the mimicry. It stayed around for three days before moving
on.
--
Ed Matthews edm@verdix.com
Verdix Corporation Headquarters (703) 378-7600
Chantilly, Virginia