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Which parrot species is especially well known for copying human speech?

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Illustration of a rock parakeet (Pyrrhura rupicola) perched on a branch, showing green plumage with scalloped markings, a patch of red on the wing, and a dark beak. — Psittaciform Black-capped parakeet (*Pyrrhura rupicola*).

The African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is widely considered the most proficient parrot species at mimicking human speech, with its ability to replicate sounds with remarkable accuracy.12

While the African gray is unsurpassed in this regard, other members of the parrot family also exhibit strong vocal capabilities:

Amazon parrots (Amazona): Known for their proficient mimicry skills.12
Parakeets: Certain species, such as budgerigars and rose-ringed parakeets, demonstrate skilled speaking capacities.1
Macaws: These birds are also capable of mimicry to some degree.1

Parrots are highly social animals, and their tendency to talk often stems from their natural instinct to communicate with their flock. When kept as pets, they frequently view their human companions as part of that flock, using their vocalizations to interact and bond. Research has shown that some parrots, such as the famous African gray parrot named Alex, can even associate sounds with specific meanings, demonstrating a level of cognitive understanding that goes beyond simple mimicry.1