Parrots in Britain Taste of Trouble as Swearing Becomes a Hashtag Moment
In a quirky turn at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in eastern England, five parrots have earned a reputation for their cheeky verbal repertoire. Staff observed that the birds were using language that many would classify as rude, and measures were taken to keep them apart from other parrots in the flock. The goal was simple: prevent the birds from picking up or spreading crude phrases to their companions.
The staff explained that the parrots began testing their vocabulary while in transit, in the carriers moving from one place to another. The situation was described by the park’s director as remarkable and troubling at the same time, with phrases that many listeners found inappropriate. The team moved the parrots to isolated enclosures to stop the crosspollination of words and sounds with the rest of the birds.
Despite creating physical separation, the birds continue to utter bold expressions and occasionally emit sounds that resemble human laughter. The park team keeps a careful watch on how language develops among the flock and notes any changes in pronunciation or cadence that might indicate new phrases being learned from visitors or staff nearby.
According to Steve Nichols, the director, there have been no complaints from visitors about the swearing. The matter is treated with a sense of humor by many guests, while staff maintain a professional approach to animal care and welfare. The situation provides a practical example of how social dynamics can shape vocal behavior in captive parrots, even when care is taken to reduce exposure to unwanted language.
Audiences hoping for a quiet experience may still encounter the occasional vocal display that resembles modern slang or common exclamations. Parrots are adept mimicry masters, picking up phrases from a wide range of sources including conversations, media, and even background chatter. In this case, the birds appear to be applying observed patterns to their own calls, a natural aside in the study of avian communication that captures public attention.
The episode mirrors other unusual parrot stories from around the world, such as a separate incident in Singapore where a neighbor reported a noisy parrot to the authorities. These anecdotes spotlight how human language and animal speech intertwine in shared spaces, prompting caretakers to consider enrichment strategies that balance curiosity with calm environments for the birds and their human neighbors.