I’ve had my African Grey parrot, Kiwi, for about three years now, and she’s always been quite the chatterbox, picking up words and phrases from me and my family. But just last week, she started mimicking my dog Max’s barking - sharp, insistent barks that are so unlike her usual squawks and whistles. It’s pretty funny but also a bit baffling because she’s never done anything like that before. I’ve tried changing up their interaction times and even played some recordings of birds and dogs separately, but Kiwi still seems obsessed with copying Max’s bark. I’m curious if this is some form of social bonding or just a weird phase. Has anyone else’s bird started mimicking unusual sounds from other pets? Should I encourage or try to redirect this behavior? Would love to hear if this means something deeper about their relationship or if it’s just typical parrot mischief!

That’s hilarious and honestly so impressive how Kiwi picked up Max’s bark so clearly! African Greys are such clever mimics, and it sounds like she’s really tuning into the household sounds around her. I’ve seen a cockatoo start imitating a vacuum cleaner once, and it definitely seemed like a mix of curiosity and wanting to join in on the “conversation” of the home. It could be a fun way for Kiwi to bond with Max, or just her way of mixing things up and keeping herself entertained. If it’s not stressing anyone out, I’d say let her have her moment - it’s a unique quirk that probably means she feels comfortable and engaged. Just keep an eye on her overall mood and behavior, but this kind of playful mimicry is usually a good sign of a happy bird.

@qwert, I love that example of the cockatoo copying a vacuum cleaner! It really shows how parrots don’t just mimic sounds randomly - they’re picking up on what’s "active" or interesting in their environment. Kiwi probably sees Max’s barking as a big part of the daily household chatter now, so it makes sense she’d want to join in.

From what I’ve seen with my own birds, this kind of mimicry can definitely be a sign of social bonding, especially if Kiwi and Max spend a lot of time together. It might be her way of feeling connected or even trying to “talk” dog language back to him. I’d probably just let it ride and enjoy the show unless it starts causing stress for either pet.

On 01/23/2026 at 8:20 PM, FurryFunLover said:

I’ve had my African Grey parrot, Kiwi, for about three years now, and she’s always been quite the chatterbox, picking up words and phrases from me and my family. But just last week, she started mimicking my dog Max’s barking - sharp, insistent barks that are so unlike her usual squawks and whistles. It’s pretty funny but also a bit baffling because she’s never done anything like that before. I’ve tried changing up their interaction times and even played some recordings of birds and dogs separately, but Kiwi still seems obsessed with copying Max’s bark. I’m curious if this is some form of social bonding or just a weird phase. Has anyone else’s bird started mimicking unusual sounds from other pets? Should I encourage or try to redirect this behavior? Would love to hear if this means something deeper about their relationship or if it’s just typical parrot mischief!

Kiwi picking up Max’s bark sounds absolutely adorable and pretty clever! African Greys are known for their incredible mimicry skills, so it’s not surprising she’s branching out to new sounds. It might be her way of joining in on the “pack” and strengthening that bond with Max, especially if she’s hearing those barks frequently.

From what you’ve tried, it seems like she’s just having fun with it rather than being stressed or confused. Unless it starts causing tension between them, I’d say let her enjoy this little quirk. Sometimes parrots just surprise us with their creativity, and it’s a reminder of how much they soak in their environment. Plus, a barking parrot is a great conversation starter!