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| History/Background |
Looking backward... Records are necessary
You are here:
Background
Background
Does Arielle look calm as I kiss her?
RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION
One important factor is to keep detailed written notes about a bird's behavior and speech. Without written
notes it is almost impossible to verify exactly what happened. Even the most talented human forgets things,
and as the years pass, it is more difficult to remember events of long ago.
I know, because I have been keeping records for more than ten years. Those notes are invaluable in
evaluating what happened, the meaning, and the relationship between events. In my case, I discovered
that there were patterns in Arielle's speech and that she used words knowingly to refer to objects, places,
and animals that she experienced in her environment.
At the suggestion of a friend, five years ago I started recording Arielle's speech. Low cost methods include
tape, CD, or digital recording as ways to document a shy bird's speech! (Does your bird clam-up when
strangers visit?)
Even if you or friends do not understand what your bird says, recorded sounds can be evaluated by others.
Arielle says many things that people do not understand without clues. There are many reasons for a person
unfamiliar with a parrot's speech to find strings of speech incomprehensible. A few of the reasons are that
she speaks in different voices, her dialect is that of a bird, and she uses a wide variety of words that most
people do not conceive that a bird would know, let alone utter. For more information, click on the link to go
to the Words & Sound page.
Keep recording your bird's speech. Others interested in this topic and I will help you to evaluate what your
bird is saying.
One important factor is to keep detailed written notes about a bird's behavior and speech. Without written
notes it is almost impossible to verify exactly what happened. Even the most talented human forgets things,
and as the years pass, it is more difficult to remember events of long ago.
I know, because I have been keeping records for more than ten years. Those notes are invaluable in
evaluating what happened, the meaning, and the relationship between events. In my case, I discovered
that there were patterns in Arielle's speech and that she used words knowingly to refer to objects, places,
and animals that she experienced in her environment.
At the suggestion of a friend, five years ago I started recording Arielle's speech. Low cost methods include
tape, CD, or digital recording as ways to document a shy bird's speech! (Does your bird clam-up when
strangers visit?)
Even if you or friends do not understand what your bird says, recorded sounds can be evaluated by others.
Arielle says many things that people do not understand without clues. There are many reasons for a person
unfamiliar with a parrot's speech to find strings of speech incomprehensible. A few of the reasons are that
she speaks in different voices, her dialect is that of a bird, and she uses a wide variety of words that most
people do not conceive that a bird would know, let alone utter. For more information, click on the link to go
to the Words & Sound page.
Keep recording your bird's speech. Others interested in this topic and I will help you to evaluate what your
bird is saying.
Below is a list of references that may interest bird hobbyists interested in bird speech.
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT WITH TELEVISION APPEARANCE BY ARIELLE
To see a clip of Arielle on TV click the link below.
Arielle appearing on WTSP-10 Tampa Bay's 10 TV. Sorry, no longer operates; contact station for copy.
PARROT RELATED PUBLICATIONS announcing the book Another Kind of Mind
Bird Talk Magazine (May 2008): Announcement for Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
Parrots Magazine UK (May 2008): Announcement for Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
The Australian Birdkeeper (August 2008):
Announcement and book review of Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
If you would like to read about my investigations of speech with Arielle, a long article by Rob Farley
called From the beak of a macaw ... was published on May 12, 2003 as a lead story in local sections
of the St. Petersburg Times. The reference to the article appears below; unfortunately, you will not be
able to retrieve the professional 8x10 inch photograph of Arielle that accompanied the printed article.
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/05/12/Northpinellas/From_the_beak_of_a_ma.shtml
..................
December 2007 ... Rita Sobot wrote a news article about Arielle for the Tenerife News (A newspaper in the
Canary Islands). The on-line edition can be read at the following address:
http://www.tenerifenews.com/cms/front_content.php?client=1%E2%8C%A9=1&idcat=19&idart=7008
.................
25 March 2008 ... An article by St. Pete Times staff writer LaRita Jacobs provides her ideas about bird
speech and opinions about my work in an article called: Yes parrots speak, but do they really understand?
http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article431283.ece A similar article with a picture of Arielle
holding a small bucket on a chain was printed 1 Apr 2008 in a Clearwater Times article, page 4, by LaRita
Jacobs --- Yes, parrots speak, but do they really understand?
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1454987581.html?dids=1454987581:1454987581&FMT=FT&FM
TS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+1%2C+2008&author=LARITA+JACOBS&pub=St+Petersburg+Times&edition=&
startpage=4&desc=YES2C+THEY+SPEAK2C+BUT+DO+THEY+REALLY+UNDERSTAND%3F
................
From Orlando Sentinel.... May 18, 2008
Column: AnimalCrazy Headline: This talkative bird has the last word -- 4,000 of them
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/orange/orl-orcrazy1808may18,0,89574
6.story
.................
ARTICLES By Michael Dalton
Dalton, Michael. (2009) "Arielle" (originally called "Soliciting a Macaw"). IN: Birds of a Feather
(Rebecca Stockslager, Ed.). Sarasota, FL: Published by the Author/Editor. PP. 40-41
For more information or to buy Birds of a Feather, go to http://www.BirdsOfaFeather.embarqspace.com
Dalton, Michael. (2009) Passive Speech Research, Language, and the Animal Mind. The American
Federation of Aviculture 35th Annual Convention Proceedings, Houston, TX, August 5-8, 2009, pp. 76-82.
Click here to read "Passive Speech Research, Language, and the Animal Mind"
This article describes a non-interactive method for analyzing bird speech based on recordings of a bird's free
speech. The concept of a parrot learning human language is advanced supported by recorded evidence.
Dalton, Michael. (2003) Talking with Parrots: A Ten-Year Perspective. The a.f.a. Watchbird, Vol. XXX, No. 1,
Summer 2003, pp. 14-16.
My article described learning about the speaking capabilities of a taking bird after working for ten years with
Arielle.
Dalton, Michael. (2002) Spontaneous Counting by an African Grey Parrot. The Grey Play Round Table,
Winter 2002, pp. 3-4.
Louie, my African Grey parrot, decides to count backwards unexpectedly.
Dalton, Michael. (1996) An Amazing Story. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Vol. 4, No. 1, February 1996, pp. 62-64.
A short article about Arielle's verbal abilities.
Dalton, Michael. (1995) Camphor Wood for Exotic Birds. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Vol. 3, No. 2, February 1995,
p. 8.
I tell about using my birds unknowingly as test subject with camphor branches.
Dalton, Michael. (1993) Adventures With A Blue And Gold Macaw. American Cage-Bird Magazine,
Vol. 65, No. 11, November 1993, pp. 93-97.
In this article, some of Arielle's early adventures with her human companion are detailed, including how
she named her favorite person.
BOOKS
Barber, Theodore Xenophon. The Human Nature of Birds. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993.
If you wish to gain an understanding for the intelligence of birds, this is a excellent starting point. The author
reviews bird behavior and shows how birds are capable of human-like thought.
Dalton, Michael. Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English. Clearwater, FL: Arielle Publishing,
December 2007. (Available February 2008)
Based on recordings of Arielle's speech, it is possible to learn about her thoughts through sequences of topical
statements.
de Grahl, Wolfgang. The Grey Parrot. Neptune City, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1987.
This is a specialty book about African Grey parrots, which includes notable paragraphs concerning use of
human language by a parrot.
Freud, Arthur. The Complete Parrot. Ontario, Canada: Silvio Mattacchione & Co., 1993.
The author has a different viewpoint concerning parrot care. There are good illustrations and the writer dished
out advice in a light-hearted manner.
Howard, Len. Birds as Individuals. London: Readers Union, 1953.
This book was my inspiration for close living with my pet macaw, Arielle. Ms. Howard describes interactions
with wild birds that lived in and about her cottage in the English countryside.
Hurlbutt, Catherine. Adventures with Talking Birds. Neptune, N.J.: TFH Publications, 1981.
This book piqued my interest in bird intelligence. The writer discusses her experiences with a variety of birds
including Edgar, a corvid, who says: "Nevermore!"
Patterson, Francine and Linden, Eugene. The Education of Koko. New York: Holy, Rinehart and Winston,
1981.
The study of Koko is the longest on-going investigation of a communicative gorilla. The authors describe
Koko in a way that is quite different from people's expectations; Koko "speaks" using American Sign
Language.
Savage, Candace. The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays: Bird Brains. San Francisco: Sierra
Club Books, 1995.
While this book has little to do with parrots or pet birds, the author makes a great case for the intelligence of
corvids. The reader comes away with a new appreciation for avian intelligence, as the author chronicles one
group of smart animals!
Skutch, Alexander. The Minds of Birds. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1996.
Dr. Skutch provides insight into bird intelligence. The book culminates the author's more than sixty years of
experience as an ornithologist.
MOTION PICTURE ABOUT A "TALKING" BIRD
A cute film is PAULIE. Paulie a story about a fictitious talking bird, but Arielle and her abilities are real.
ARTICLE RANKING MACAWS AS TALKING BIRDS
Wederich, Jr., Robert P. Choosing the right companion bird. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Spring 1993.
In the rating of talking birds, macaws of the genus Ara ranked 9th overall. In an accompanying chart macaws
ranked 7 on a ten scale which was above some of the other rated birds. According to the chart,
the only higher ranking talkers were African Greys and Amazon Parrots.
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT WITH TELEVISION APPEARANCE BY ARIELLE
To see a clip of Arielle on TV click the link below.
Arielle appearing on WTSP-10 Tampa Bay's 10 TV. Sorry, no longer operates; contact station for copy.
PARROT RELATED PUBLICATIONS announcing the book Another Kind of Mind
Bird Talk Magazine (May 2008): Announcement for Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
Parrots Magazine UK (May 2008): Announcement for Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
The Australian Birdkeeper (August 2008):
Announcement and book review of Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
If you would like to read about my investigations of speech with Arielle, a long article by Rob Farley
called From the beak of a macaw ... was published on May 12, 2003 as a lead story in local sections
of the St. Petersburg Times. The reference to the article appears below; unfortunately, you will not be
able to retrieve the professional 8x10 inch photograph of Arielle that accompanied the printed article.
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/05/12/Northpinellas/From_the_beak_of_a_ma.shtml
..................
December 2007 ... Rita Sobot wrote a news article about Arielle for the Tenerife News (A newspaper in the
Canary Islands). The on-line edition can be read at the following address:
http://www.tenerifenews.com/cms/front_content.php?client=1%E2%8C%A9=1&idcat=19&idart=7008
.................
25 March 2008 ... An article by St. Pete Times staff writer LaRita Jacobs provides her ideas about bird
speech and opinions about my work in an article called: Yes parrots speak, but do they really understand?
http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article431283.ece A similar article with a picture of Arielle
holding a small bucket on a chain was printed 1 Apr 2008 in a Clearwater Times article, page 4, by LaRita
Jacobs --- Yes, parrots speak, but do they really understand?
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1454987581.html?dids=1454987581:1454987581&FMT=FT&FM
TS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+1%2C+2008&author=LARITA+JACOBS&pub=St+Petersburg+Times&edition=&
startpage=4&desc=YES2C+THEY+SPEAK2C+BUT+DO+THEY+REALLY+UNDERSTAND%3F
................
From Orlando Sentinel.... May 18, 2008
Column: AnimalCrazy Headline: This talkative bird has the last word -- 4,000 of them
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/orange/orl-orcrazy1808may18,0,89574
6.story
.................
ARTICLES By Michael Dalton
Dalton, Michael. (2009) "Arielle" (originally called "Soliciting a Macaw"). IN: Birds of a Feather
(Rebecca Stockslager, Ed.). Sarasota, FL: Published by the Author/Editor. PP. 40-41
For more information or to buy Birds of a Feather, go to http://www.BirdsOfaFeather.embarqspace.com
Dalton, Michael. (2009) Passive Speech Research, Language, and the Animal Mind. The American
Federation of Aviculture 35th Annual Convention Proceedings, Houston, TX, August 5-8, 2009, pp. 76-82.
Click here to read "Passive Speech Research, Language, and the Animal Mind"
This article describes a non-interactive method for analyzing bird speech based on recordings of a bird's free
speech. The concept of a parrot learning human language is advanced supported by recorded evidence.
Dalton, Michael. (2003) Talking with Parrots: A Ten-Year Perspective. The a.f.a. Watchbird, Vol. XXX, No. 1,
Summer 2003, pp. 14-16.
My article described learning about the speaking capabilities of a taking bird after working for ten years with
Arielle.
Dalton, Michael. (2002) Spontaneous Counting by an African Grey Parrot. The Grey Play Round Table,
Winter 2002, pp. 3-4.
Louie, my African Grey parrot, decides to count backwards unexpectedly.
Dalton, Michael. (1996) An Amazing Story. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Vol. 4, No. 1, February 1996, pp. 62-64.
A short article about Arielle's verbal abilities.
Dalton, Michael. (1995) Camphor Wood for Exotic Birds. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Vol. 3, No. 2, February 1995,
p. 8.
I tell about using my birds unknowingly as test subject with camphor branches.
Dalton, Michael. (1993) Adventures With A Blue And Gold Macaw. American Cage-Bird Magazine,
Vol. 65, No. 11, November 1993, pp. 93-97.
In this article, some of Arielle's early adventures with her human companion are detailed, including how
she named her favorite person.
BOOKS
Barber, Theodore Xenophon. The Human Nature of Birds. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993.
If you wish to gain an understanding for the intelligence of birds, this is a excellent starting point. The author
reviews bird behavior and shows how birds are capable of human-like thought.
Dalton, Michael. Another Kind of Mind: A Talking Bird Masters English. Clearwater, FL: Arielle Publishing,
December 2007. (Available February 2008)
Based on recordings of Arielle's speech, it is possible to learn about her thoughts through sequences of topical
statements.
de Grahl, Wolfgang. The Grey Parrot. Neptune City, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1987.
This is a specialty book about African Grey parrots, which includes notable paragraphs concerning use of
human language by a parrot.
Freud, Arthur. The Complete Parrot. Ontario, Canada: Silvio Mattacchione & Co., 1993.
The author has a different viewpoint concerning parrot care. There are good illustrations and the writer dished
out advice in a light-hearted manner.
Howard, Len. Birds as Individuals. London: Readers Union, 1953.
This book was my inspiration for close living with my pet macaw, Arielle. Ms. Howard describes interactions
with wild birds that lived in and about her cottage in the English countryside.
Hurlbutt, Catherine. Adventures with Talking Birds. Neptune, N.J.: TFH Publications, 1981.
This book piqued my interest in bird intelligence. The writer discusses her experiences with a variety of birds
including Edgar, a corvid, who says: "Nevermore!"
Patterson, Francine and Linden, Eugene. The Education of Koko. New York: Holy, Rinehart and Winston,
1981.
The study of Koko is the longest on-going investigation of a communicative gorilla. The authors describe
Koko in a way that is quite different from people's expectations; Koko "speaks" using American Sign
Language.
Savage, Candace. The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays: Bird Brains. San Francisco: Sierra
Club Books, 1995.
While this book has little to do with parrots or pet birds, the author makes a great case for the intelligence of
corvids. The reader comes away with a new appreciation for avian intelligence, as the author chronicles one
group of smart animals!
Skutch, Alexander. The Minds of Birds. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1996.
Dr. Skutch provides insight into bird intelligence. The book culminates the author's more than sixty years of
experience as an ornithologist.
MOTION PICTURE ABOUT A "TALKING" BIRD
A cute film is PAULIE. Paulie a story about a fictitious talking bird, but Arielle and her abilities are real.
ARTICLE RANKING MACAWS AS TALKING BIRDS
Wederich, Jr., Robert P. Choosing the right companion bird. Caged Bird Hobbyist, Spring 1993.
In the rating of talking birds, macaws of the genus Ara ranked 9th overall. In an accompanying chart macaws
ranked 7 on a ten scale which was above some of the other rated birds. According to the chart,
the only higher ranking talkers were African Greys and Amazon Parrots.
| Arielle understands speech and speaks thoughtfully using English words, phrases, and sentences. |
References & Background Material
Photo by Linda Carpenter
