Species Psittacus erithacus | ||
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Known for Intelligent use of language | ||
Exp rience de t l pathie avec n kisi et aim e morgana
N'kisi is an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) thought to exhibit advanced English talking skills and other abilities.
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Accomplishments
According to news reports and websites, as of January 2004 N'kisi had a vocabulary of about 950 words and used them in context, frequently in complete sentences, had approximated verb forms to maintain the correct tense (such as saying flied when not knowing the past tense of fly), and did not depend on learned phrases to communicate his thoughts. N'kisi was shown as being supposedly capable of understanding photographic images, naming objects (within his vocabulary) appearing in a photo and inventing new terms for things he does not know words for by combining other words, like "pretty smell medicine" for aromatherapy oils. One anecdote recounted by the primatologist Jane Goodall says that, upon meeting her in person after seeing a photo of her, N'Kisi asked, "Got a chimp?" It was claimed he demonstrated a possible sense of humor.
Controversy
The debate over parrots' ability to use language versus their capacity for mimicry is ongoing. Nonetheless, extensive research, notably by Irene Pepperberg over thirty years with an African grey parrot named Alex, among others, has been frequently highlighted on network television. This research suggests that parrots can use words purposefully in linguistic tasks, indicating a level of understanding and application of language.
N'kisi also took part in a published scientific study of telepathic abilities conducted by Rupert Sheldrake and the parrot's owner Aimee Morgana. The researchers who conducted the study claim the results present a statistically significant indication of ability, while the study has been criticized by skeptics.