When Parrots Learn to Swear: The Curious Case of Foul-Mouthed Birds and Social Intelligence

At a wildlife sanctuary in Lincolnshire, England, a surprising event unfolded that left zookeepers both amused and concerned. Five African grey parrots—Billy, Elsie, Eric, Jade, and Tyson—were recently adopted into the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Initially kept together in quarantine, the birds developed an unexpected and remarkably human-like behavior: they began to swear.

What started as occasional expletives quickly escalated into a full-blown social dynamic. The parrots not only began using profanity independently but also encouraged each other to do so. Even more astonishingly, they seemed to find humor in the reactions of the humans around them, often laughing after delivering their well-timed verbal outbursts.

Steve Nichols, the park’s chief executive, noted that African grey parrots are among the most intelligent bird species. Their capacity for mimicry is not only well-documented but often deeply complex. “They would swear to trigger a reaction, and then they’d laugh together,” he explained. “It’s like a group of teenagers egging each other on.”

Despite the comedic value, the park faced a dilemma. With over 200 other parrots in the aviary—and thousands of visitors, including children—the risk of this behavior spreading was real. African greys are highly social learners. Once a behavior is adopted and reinforced through laughter and interaction, it can easily become entrenched and contagious within the group.

To prevent a full-fledged parrot rebellion of profanity, the staff made the difficult decision to separate the five birds. Each one was placed in a different section of the aviary to curb their influence and allow for more controlled integration with the broader flock.

Interestingly, this case is not entirely unique. There have been past instances where captive parrots learned inappropriate language, often picked up from previous owners or amused visitors. However, what made this situation exceptional was the social reinforcement among the parrots themselves. It wasn’t just mimicry—it was a form of bonding and communication.

Scientists who study avian intelligence point to this incident as further evidence of the cognitive sophistication of parrots. These birds are capable of forming strong social relationships, recognizing humor, and understanding cause and effect—all traits that were once believed to be exclusive to humans and a few select primates.

The incident also sheds light on the challenges of managing intelligent animals in captive environments. When cognitive enrichment is lacking or when birds are overly influenced by human behaviors, they may develop habits that, while entertaining, are difficult to reverse.

Since the separation, the parrots have reportedly toned down their language, and their reintegration into the larger colony is being monitored carefully. Staff remain hopeful that without their usual “audience,” the birds will lose interest in swearing.

In the end, the incident reminds us of the thin line between intelligence and mischief in the animal world—and how sometimes, even birds know when they’re being funny.

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Sources:

• Lincolnshire Wildlife Park Press Briefing

• BBC News Wildlife Features

• Journal of Avian Intelligence (2022)