The call had seemed routine. Neighbors reported loud noises coming from a small apartment, followed by shouting that made them uneasy. Police officers arrived expecting a typical disturbance call, perhaps an argument or a misunderstanding. None of them imagined that the most unforgettable voice they would hear that night would not belong to a human at all.
An Ordinary Call
The hallway was quiet when the officers knocked on the door. No immediate response followed. One officer knocked again, louder this time, announcing their presence. Still nothing. Just as they were about to call for backup, a voice came from inside.
“What do you want?”
The officers froze for a moment. The voice was sharp, irritated, and unmistakably clear. One officer replied calmly, asking the occupant to open the door.
The voice answered back instantly. “Go away. I’m busy.”
Confusion Sets In
The officers exchanged glances. The voice sounded human, but something about the tone felt off. Too rehearsed. Too perfect. They tried again, explaining why they were there and asking if everything was alright inside.
A pause followed. Then the voice responded, louder this time. “Everything is fine. Stop knocking.”
The officers were now fully alert. The situation did not feel dangerous, but it was strange. They prepared themselves for a potential confrontation, unsure who they were dealing with.
The Door Opens
After several tense moments, the door finally opened. Standing there was an elderly woman, looking calm and slightly amused. Perched on a stand behind her was a large parrot, its feathers vibrant and its eyes sharp with intelligence.
The woman smiled and gestured toward the bird. “That was him,” she said simply.
Meet the Parrot
The parrot tilted its head and stared directly at the officers. Then it spoke again. “You’re late,” it said.
One officer laughed in disbelief. The other stood speechless. This was no simple mimicry of a single phrase. The timing, tone, and context were too precise.
A Conversation Begins
As the officers relaxed slightly, the parrot continued. “You always knock too loud,” it said. “Very rude.”
The woman explained that the parrot had lived with her for over twenty years. It had listened to countless conversations, arguments, phone calls, and everyday chatter. Over time, it had learned not just words, but how to use them.
The Parrot Knows More Than Expected
One officer jokingly asked the parrot what had caused the noise complaint. Without hesitation, the bird replied, “He started it. Always starts it.”
The officers burst out laughing. The parrot puffed up proudly, clearly enjoying the attention. But then it added something that made them pause.
“Then she cried. Then silence.”
The room grew quiet. The officers looked at the woman, concerned. She waved her hand reassuringly. She explained that the parrot often repeated phrases from television dramas and old arguments it had heard years ago. Still, the realism was unsettling.
Intelligence Beyond Mimicry
The officers asked a few more questions, partly amused, partly curious. The parrot responded appropriately more often than not. It interrupted. It waited its turn. It even adjusted its volume, lowering its voice when the room grew quiet.
This was not just repetition. This was interaction.
Why the Officers Were Unprepared
Police officers train for many scenarios, but not for intelligent animals engaging in conversation. The parrot challenged expectations of communication and awareness. It blurred the line between learned behavior and understanding.
One officer admitted later that he had momentarily believed there was another person inside the apartment. The parrot had spoken with intent and timing that no one anticipated.
