This starling's mimicry is incredible 🤯

[@michaellyczak9337]

Imagine sitting under a tree and suddenly hearing what sounds like a flock of R2D2's overhead.

[@Kazza_8240]

Have you ever seen a load of starlings flying together? It's worth looking up if you haven't, it's mesmerising, imagine them doing that while all sounding like R2D2 🤣

[@silverbloodwolf98]

I heard starlings songs. They mimic city sounds, frogs and jackdaws. It's a pretty exotic sounds without R2D2 already I must say 😂

[@MonsterMacLLC]

LMAO!!!😂🤣😂🤣😇

[@crayonburry]

The grackles in Austin have already incorporated car alarms into their vocabulary.

[@stupididiot4034]

"THE FLAT EARTHERS WERE RIGHT! BIRDS AREN'T REAL!"

[@kristiaunalee7987]

Growing up, we had a pet starling. She mimicked the AOL dial up sounds, rang like the phone, answered it and carried on her own conversation like she was talking on the phone.

[@ThisIsJ.Nicole]

This sounds hilarious. I want one now🥺

[@kristiaunalee7987]

@Jasmine Bischof We found her out of her nest and she had a long life. This video is the first I've seen of someone else having one as a pet. You will get big personality in a small bird, that's for sure.

[@andythompson2009]

No! you put the phone down first...! No! you put the phone down first...! No! you put the phone down first...! No! you put the phone down first...!

[@fastertrackcreative]

Guessing there's no video of this?

[@kristiaunalee7987]

@Fastertrack Wishing there was, now. Never realizing in 1999 that the AOL dial-up sounds would become merely ancient tales of the prehistoric days before smart phones and tik tok 🤦‍♀️😁

[@theebikeguy3852]

It was nice of that bird to teach that lady how to talk

[@inthenow8077]

Lol good one

[@stclare58]

😂too funny!

[@zhezdrindrin]

АХААХАХХАХА

[@rapturewalk]

Lol haha

[@jaybanksuniversal]

LOL!

[@dogknot13]

That R2D2 impression was spot on, crazy!

[@cameronspence4977]

Thats was insane how good that was😂

[@icydude180]

Bro I thought that was fake it was so good 😂

[@JovenDecarne]

R2D2s sounds were based off of this bird

[@that_one_goose2003]

We can agree it would be terrifying to just be walking in the forest one day and you hear, "I'm gonna give him a kiss"

[@mizzprezli]

Not as much as hearing "My sweet turd bird"!

[@Seriouslydave]

Or "my precious" like gollum

[@AnnaH4R]

​@@Seriouslydave smeegs...yuck 😬

[@MossTheBo55]

Or R2-D2 sounds

[@clarkstone439]

Omg, now I have that stuck in my head, how could you!

[@TheLastArbiter]

That R2-D2 noise was scary accurate and sounded technical

[@lisaanndavis3289]

Almost a little creepy!

[@sp34277]

and this bird knows why i love dubstep so much or it definitely would’ve wanted to learn the easier tune way ahead of time

[@fitz2523]

Birds aren’t real 😅😂

[@TheLastArbiter]

@@fitz2523 everyone knows birds are government spy devices lol

[@Tg-MAGNITTIK]

Бляя это очень круто! Р2-Д2

[@madmatt707]

Everybody’s gangster until the birds start talking in Latin

[@alexanderx33]

OMG I need this now!

[@martinwagner7361]

😋😂😂👌

[@Mornepin]

For the glory of Rome

[@Dead25m]

"Et tu Brute?"

[@NOVAGUTZ_08]

teaching a crow to speak latin to scare the neighbors

[@TheDunbarQuartet]

Gotta love the Mozart reference. That bird's got some style.

[@crabcake5373]

Sounds like the bird had a mf playback recorder in his throat. That’s incredible

[@FokkerBoombass]

And now for something completely different. A bird with a tape recorder up its nose.

[@FokkerBoombass]

@𓆏 Basically imagine having two sets of lips but in your throat.

[@smilinacha]

That’s exactly what I said.

[@sierrarose5652]

More like creepy

[@admaanhason7410]

​@Embassy_of_Jupitershadow banned?

[@DaveYognaut]

the fact that the bird didn't fully mimic the whistle but still stayed in key and with a fitting rhythm is amazing

[@orbatos]

For complex things they always sound like a battery powered AM radio to me.

[@rajidahae4220]

Yes, it was actually a response that evolved the theme! I loved that too ❤

[@vanessativa2418]

He improving

[@Amaend8]

Yh it's like they sing for living 😂

[@hazeld8016]

​@@Amaend8 you've got a point there mate, though I don't think they're usually singing with intentions of creating new melodies

[@tncorgi92]

Keep him nearby in case telemarketers call.

[@kerirobicheaux1804]

LOL!!!!!

[@Charlotte-ul8pq]

Bad scammers would be a good one immitating the police talking or something like that! Talking to them like Arnold swartenhager on terminator.

[@merrysalas8880]

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@jeannettealfonsi6975]

Ya, teach it to say ,I have a gun and I know how to use it, so beware, stay off my property. lol

[@dawnfuller8495]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@pamavery9352]

Birds memory and tone accuracy is astounding!!!!!!!!

[@accurrent]

Starlings arrange themselves in MASSIVE flocks… imagine they all just say “who’s my precious Jabby bird?” in an uncanny human voice

[@missj2045]

Hahaha 🤣🤣 I'd be running

[@sarahcoletti6946]

It's called a murmuration and is quite beautiful! 💖

[@day4162]

I can't stop laughing 🤣🤣🤣

[@day4162]

​@@sarahcoletti6946 no, a murmuration is when giant flocks of Starlings FLY as a flock. It has nothing to do with them talking, and is NOT simply them gathering

[@day4162]

​@@sarahcoletti6946 but you're right that murmurations are STUNNING

[@_Solaris]

The r2d2 thing is unbelievable.

[@OpiatesAndTits]

Maybe it’s fake

[@antonialoos546]

@@OpiatesAndTits I don’t know. The sounds match really well with its movements of the throat and beak.

[@potato9709]

@@OpiatesAndTits R2D2 already sounds bird like, and birds are able to mimic sounds they hear after a while to use as calls for mates, or communication, some wild birds were known to mimic construction site noises after hearing it for 2-3 days.

[@ibeetellingya5683]

​@@OpiatesAndTits Honey, it's all fake. Life is an illusion. All matter is gravity between non-particles of dark energy. Nothing really matters.

[@theanimeman97]

@@ibeetellingya5683 If nothing matters, then why was it so important to you to make this comment? People act nihilist to seem woke and gain clout, and it's just weird.

[@malachiarmas]

“Who’s my sweet Jabby angel?” Bird: 🤖⚙️📠

[@Theredeyedjedi]

Ew

[@shadowingot3578]

@@Theredeyedjedi what

[@Theredeyedjedi]

@@shadowingot3578 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKGZqWWoodOBjqM

[@shadowingot3578]

@@Theredeyedjedi what on earth

[@Theredeyedjedi]

@@shadowingot3578 🥹🤏🏾

[@mcrae9999]

Who's my sweet Jabby Angel? Starling: *R2D2 sounds*

[@hoozukigetsu]

It's amazing how this skilled bird is able to teach this human to mimic it. Absolutely brilliant.

[@sparrow_mj]

😂

[@lily6246]

Absolutely I noticed it too😊😂

[@Rosa-sw8qp]

😂

[@thothasterianinfinitelovet2765]

"Who's my precious jabby bird " now repeat humon

[@Magmastorrm317]

😂😂😂😂

[@obersheimerkevin]

"Who's my precious..." *What was it again? Nevermind I'm doing the R2D2 instead* 😂

[@joshwebsterracing5380]

😂😂😂😂

[@alexanderbrambila8274]

Well anyway this is Wonderwall

[@janeeyre1990]

Me with my ADHD when I'm reincarnated as a bird

[@jeszrah5889]

I was searching for this comment 😄

[@LacTose90]

Error code lmao

[@EYZ-GD]

Plot twist. There were 2 birds talking with each other, and she just stood there

[@Mona_Lisa8181]

😂😂😂😂

[@Firesignnaildesign]

This might be my favorite comment on a video ever 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Chalamaha]

😂😂✌️

[@only-ren]

even sillier plot twist, she IS a bird with big human glove on

[@nyxie2877]

@@only-renThat’s really just terrifying

[@florencegaye1391]

My jaw literally dropped watching this incredible beautiful starling-- the mimickory is just admonishing. But when he thought carefully before whistling Mozart blew my mind. Animals are the absolute best and enrich our lives in myriad ways x love to you both

[@blueblade455]

I still can't comprehend how a bird can accurately pronounce words and mimic sound effects so perfectly without having any lips. Mind still blown till this day!

[@laurensa.1803]

Vocal cords are more relevant. Lips are just a part of it and only applicable to specific languages...?

[@nychris2258]

Think about how a human can whistle a birds tune using our lips. The birds have parts inside that do the job of our lips.

[@gremlinman9724]

Birds have parts in their throats that basically do the same stuff as teeth, a tongue, and lips.

[@dustenekoes28]

Yup, and birds have two larynxes, one atop each lung. They can sing two notes at once!

[@utley]

its not so much lip as it is tongue. Ive found that the more dexterous the tongue is, the better your accent can be when speaking different languages. I can whistle at 122db just using my tongue. its not just people either, birds have incredible tongues as well as they can shape the sound that comes out any way they want.

[@hotteacocoa]

What if this bird escapes and some passerby just hears R2-D2 sounds coming from a tree

[@red-winged_blackbird]

😆

[@Imslowasfboi]

Imagine they were on psychedelics

[@elsteezus]

Followed by "gonna give em a kiss"

[@BenBlackEquinoxEngelhard]

Then the Empire will destroy that tree.

[@javierhillier4252]

​@@Imslowasfboi DMT

[@lolguy776]

I love how birds are just innately capable of musical improvisation

[@kennythawsh]

Lol it’s kinda wild really

[@MensHominis]

It’s actually insane. Even such “standard” birds as blackbirds are amongst the most versatile birds at least of Europe when in comes to the actual number of different tunes they create and remember.

[@mimi-fk6dp]

I had thought that it wasn't able to mimic the aria properly but I wonder if you're on to something! Human speech must be as difficult if not more to imitate for birds than a song, so I wonder if the bird was really consciously improvising. Would be fascinating if so.

[@peterwillson878]

@@mimi-fk6dp I recognised the aria from Marriage of Figaro (Queen of the Night) by Mozart being 'whistled'.

[@tessalexander4569]

@@peterwillson878 it’s from magic flute lol but yes

[@thegoldendoll]

I'll never look at a starling the same way again. I had no idea they had such verbal skills. ❤

[@BonziBUDDY]

"Birds are not government drones" The birds in question:

[@dashzag]

Ya beat me to it 😆

[@aestevalis0]

#BirdsArentReal

[@laulau5356]

Birds aren’t real! 😂

[@theperfectbotsteve4916]

this is do to an organ called the serynx witch unlike mammals larynx is at the start of the connection of the two lungs witch allows them to produce many complex calls even without lips the serynx or lack thereof is also why large therapod Dinosaurs likely couldn't roar also if you find yourself wondering whether birds are govorment drones or not you can almost always catch one and when you do you just need to grab the wings and slowly start to T W I S T ignore the crunching and blood curtailing screems because that could just be programed what you really need to pay attention to is the very prominent blood muscle and bone witch can be easily found by simply C R U S H I N G the bird into a fine mushy paste under your shoe just really get it in there smoosh smoosh and it should become a fluid witch computer parts generally don't do but if you want to be absolutely sure that it's not a robot you can put the S M A S H E D T W I S T E D paste that's left and carefully place it under a metal detector and an exray machine in order to remain 100% sure that they aren't robots 👍

[@24KinfO]

​@@laulau5356someone told me that before and then said the moon was fake and those are not falling stars.

[@connorcaldwell588]

My brain broke when he made the R2-D2 noises! That’s incredible!

[@garderork339]

The birds brain broke too, that's why he had to reboot. 😅

[@Nefylym]

@@garderork339 ahem... you mean... re-bird! ... i'll just see my way out now then

[@uggamugga9159]

It's amazing that the bird reproduced just part of the whistled melody and finished it in a way that makes musical sense.

[@acedragonxd5517]

He was singing the melody from Queen of the night by Mozart

[@Tuubasd]

It's not.

[@CrizzyEyes]

@@Tuubasd ok

[@yeetube-ghostedMoose]

... Lead vocalist - fer the Byrrds!

[@Coolramvishnu]

Hahahah! She improvised on it! How intelligent😅😀😊🥹

[@OddWeird461]

I learned something new today! This is amazing.

[@jonathancapps624]

The R2-D2 part was incredible!

[@safronthinks]

Yea

[@Lee-One]

I wonder how the can make such inhuman sounds, it’s crazy.

[@marztar]

​@@Lee-One because spacetime is the constant sympathy of energy waves in reverberation. human and bird are demonstrating newton's cradle

[@chrissyyork8646]

It sure was. He is so cool and amazing too!

[@markhungerford3182]

I agree, it seems impossible, but this little bird does it flawlessly, including the right speed.

[@HeyyBrey]

That r2-d2 impression is so good, Disney is going to sue that bird with copyright infringement. 😂😂😂😂

[@LeonSKennedy7777]

I can imagine this sweet jabby bird on the stand 😂

[@bethtarter5480]

Now that's 😁 😂 😀 🤣 😁 😂 😀 🤣 😁 😂

[@heatherbrewer2144]

There was a lyrebird video that Disney actually sent the poster of video a cease and desist for mimicking Star Wars sounds!

[@rogerrendzak8055]

What's Disney got to do, with 'Star Wars'??? That IS NOT, a dumb Disney production!!!

[@D413373R]

Yea, the R2D2 impression blew me away ngl.

[@longfastfuse]

Plot twist: The bird was the one who taught her to speak

[@elenalatici9568]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I think they do more than mimic. Starlings are very intelligent.

[@andercoyote4170]

Haha!

[@raukuracave4714]

I need the rest if this story..

[@myentertainmentmypuppies8865]

Yes that human is learning well 😆

[@ShadowMonarch6000]

F*ck your plot twist

[@lfl5982]

DAMN!!! that's the best R2-D2 impression I've ever heard!!

[@wendersonbarros1900]

That R2-D2 was insane!!!

[@lynnda8764]

It was! So awesome!

[@Hinatachan360]

I was startled by the accuracy. 😮

[@blep226]

thats his actuall call!

[@SaschaFernandez-eo2xr]

@@wendersonbarros1900 it sounded exactly like it

[@albertjohnson7990]

😂RIGHT!!!

[@beancheese3148]

The more seamless the mimic, the more trust, love and time was put into that bird’s quality of life. Bless this woman too

[@qm6286]

Wow no shortage of intelligence to think this deeply... 😅🙌

[@allrequiredfields]

Please, no pseudoscience, you're just feeding the stereotype that bird people are unhinged 😂

[@liber2350]

@@allrequiredfields for what, caring about their pet?

[@AriesSlagv]

Absolutely! Know what you mean!

[@eternallustformedusa4844]

@@allrequiredfieldswhat would be unhinged would be neglecting such an intelligent pet

[@annegaynor9627]

When I found out starlings could talk in the 1990s I was doing volunteer work for a woman who rescued birds and she had a lot of them in cages rehabilitating them. When I was passing its cage to go outside it said hey beautiful! It really made my day 😊

[@Hemigoblin]

I hope this was in Europe?

[@annegaynor9627]

@@Hemigoblin Blacksburg VA I saw some in FL imitating car alarms too and in Dallas so many would fill certain trees while chattering loudly. Then fly off as a black cloud somewhere else.

[@Hemigoblin]

@@annegaynor9627 Okay. Anyone who is “rehabilitating” starlings in the US is misguided. I don’t fault the birds themselves, but they are horribly invasive here. They kill native species, especially songbirds, and they’re especially bad in urban environments and on farms. I hate being the bringer of bad news, but the best thing anyone can do with starlings in the US is to humanely euthanized them.

[@alissahanson5451]

Omg, my heart would just be full forever if a bird ever called me beautiful in passing!! 😍😅

[@n0n4m3y3t]

Their invasive and quite destructive to local us bird populations...

[@byrongreen2167]

These birds are absolutely awesome to watch!!

[@stylz1962]

I had NO IDEA Starlings have this kind of capabilities. My goodness, I'm absolutely floored! Simply magnificent

[@spspspspspso]

it's like you stole my words!! I thought the same 😂! so true

[@Jennifer-wq7bj]

Ditto❕

[@Moorefamily4510]

Same!

[@Malmstrom87]

Lyrebirds are also great at mimicry, there's a video on YT of a lyrebird mimicking a camera with a shutter and a chainsaw!

[@nuthinbutlove]

They can mimick almost any sound... Animals, cars, horns, drills, etc. They're such a phenomenon.

[@Elite02k]

this bird has more proper english speaking skills than most humans i know.

[@puffchick4197]

😂ikr

[@_the.network_]

😂

[@sofilove...20]

:Dhhaha

[@Paraclef]

chimps you mean ?

[@jeremyluke8022]

Haha h lol for real right

[@jmarino715]

Not only did this bird just "mimic" almost everything it's heard, it even displayed a comprehension of music theory and improvised a variation that was on scale and perfectly in-tune. I'm freaking amazed!

[@2and26]

....all while using a brain the size of a tiny marble

[@sco9616]

yea I wondered if he could remember the whole tune but he improvised and sang the arpeggio of the right chord instead at the end.. almost more impressive!

[@dwylie83]

You do know this video is fake right? Without lips it's speaking very normally and not throaty like normal birds

[@jmarino715]

@@dwylie83 Sorry, but I would need harder evidence than just your word to accuse someone of doing something like that. I know that it's possible, but I just don't believe that to be the case here.

[@dwylie83]

@@jmarino715 go Google birds talking and you can hear the difference the sound comes from their throat and isn't perfect bc you need lips for perfect speech not only is this thing mimicking her words perfectly it's also doing her voice flawlessly. Work on your critical thinking skills

[@cortlandsimmons6241]

Absolutely incredible!! The R2D2 mimic is unbelievable!! There is nothing more AMAZING than Nature!!

[@hoviksmail]

We had an African Gray parrot at a store I managed. The little guy would make phone ringing noises. I swear it sounded like the phone was ringing and I'd pick up and nothing. Then, one day, I hear the phone ringing noise, but the Parrot also "answered" the phone and had a little conversation to himself. I laughed so hard.

[@colors_of_the_wind]

Dude that is hilarious!!!!!!

[@OliveWeitzel]

This is NOT a parrot! These birds do NOT SPEAK!

[@LaraLinx]

That's so fricking hilarious. A bird with a snarky sense of humor, too!

[@thanatos8618]

​@@OliveWeitzel ​Are you stupid? He didn't say at all this bird (the Sterling) is a Parrot. He said he HAD a Parrot. Also...some Parrots DO imitate sounds and human talking.

[@hamzerpanzer]

​@@OliveWeitzel Ok but...he's talking about HIS parrot

[@LUCKYSOB]

The R2D2 was incredibly spot on

[@forg0tten]

All starlings make that sound - the r2d2 sound is literally the sound of a wild starling.

[@DemoNinja79]

​@@forg0ttenreally? I did not know that.

[@Jet_Threat]

@@DemoNinja79No it’s not like that lol. This bird is impersonating R2D2. If they always sounded like that, people would notice lol

[@DemoNinja79]

@@Jet_Threat Well I'm glad then. That was amazing.

[@omflyer1535]

Finally I was 1k I can sleep easy now😉

[@joewilson3393]

I remember the TV series "The World after people" saying that these types of birds will be the last remnants of live human speech on the planet because they teach this to their children.

[@SakuraMoonflower]

The same goes for Lyre birds

[@cottoncandyperfume]

That's... bizarre

[@lincolnparc8897]

oh yeah you just brought me back! called Life After People (in USA)

[@julianbrelsford]

Fun fact, birds are the survivors of the mass extinction that killed (most of) the dinosaurs. The only living members of the clade Dinosauria, dinosaurs, are avians (birds). They might survive the next mass extinction, too, but who knows. Avians are descendants of the theropod group that also gave rise to huge killers like T. Rex

[@prismatic9804]

I've yet to hear one of these make human noise where I'm at! Wish they would, they're everywhere lol

[@princessdesigns8439]

Did not know he could talk as clear as this. He is all there.❤

[@deathwishtommy9773]

That bird just stopped halfway in its thought to sing a portion of “Der Holle Rache” from the magic flute. Incredible.

[@jtischCB]

Nothing like a bird that can imitate a human whistling Mozart!! I'm astonished.

[@Lucius1958]

@@jtischCB I read somewhere that Mozart had a pet starling, and its attempts at imitating music inspired him to write his 'Musical Joke'. Certainly the last cacophonous chords of that composition sound rather like a starling squawking...

[@clickpause8732]

Not just mimic, but seemingly improv off the melody?

[@commontater8630]

@@clickpause8732 Copied the first couple of bars, then performed a variation on the following arpeggio.

[@commontater8630]

@@Suctex Suc what?

[@kevincrady2831]

Not only is the mimicry flawless, the neck feathers work as a visualizer.

[@triggerhappydad65]

Ain't God cool!?

[@TheSd1cko]

​@@triggerhappydad65 What about witch craft? The bird could be a witches familiar and hence why it talks. Oh hang on, we stopped believing in that kind of stuff a long time ago (or at least sensible folk did). Let's just go with "isn't the bird cool".

[@BlackJack-lh7kt]

​@@TheSd1cko You are into some intense drug, and I want some of what you taking.

[@vcommandarv5916]

​​@@TheSd1ckolind faith is incorrect, people have gone through experiences that's why they believe in witches etc, and let's continue talking about the cool bird now ☺

[@Herperof1000derps]

@@triggerhappydad65 nah.

[@tredjesongen]

Starlings are unbelievable,they have endless talents,especially musical/rythm

[@frankrosemeck9898]

Starlings are murderous, nuisance pests. They should be killed at every opportunity.

[@tredjesongen]

@@frankrosemeck9898 😂 seriously?! I think You may have Your real enemies mixed up here. Crappy childhood or something. Place Your anger where it belongs,and start healing❣

[@frankrosemeck9898]

@@tredjesongen You've obviously never watched a starling kill an entire family of native woodpeckers and take over their home...

[@tomlongworth5387]

No, their a invasive pest that takes over local birds nests and parasites their eggs. Just because they "sound pretty" doesn't mean they arnt a absolute menace to other wildlife and destroy ecosystems where they do not even belong.

[@alexwitzke2585]

​@@tredjesongen l

[@valenciaj.linder8287]

Oh, what a beautiful, precious, intelligent bird!! Imitating R2-D2 blew ... my ... mind! 🤯🥰

[@TheWilderCat]

I love how his neck feathers move when he makes a noise.

[@franko8572]

Oh, is that what’s going on down there? I thought he had another mouth down there or something that he was talking out of.

[@TheWilderCat]

@@franko8572 I think it’s just that the texture of the feathers make it super prominent when they fluff up. As an example, you can see a similar thing with ravens when they mimic speech but not really with crows. Ravens have fluffier coats whereas crows have smooth coats so it’s more prominent. Starlings have spiky little feathers so this dude looks like his neck is made of ferrofluid.

[@jeremyluke8022]

Exactly right makes it more real so we know for sure the birds doing it’s incredible

[@ShinFahima]

​@@jeremyluke8022 Their programming is impeccable!

[@loganstratholme]

It’s the same for us except we shape our mouths and tongues to create different sounds 👍🏼

[@nahicorua]

Birds are terrifyingly fascinating creatures and we don't give them enough credit omg

[@Zagrakhen]

Dinosaurs who survived 65M years ago had to be smaller but also more cunning than their bigger homologues.

[@kimulm0619]

I know,,we have taken them for granted and not me,,not anymore.❤❤

[@MakeAsylumsGre4tAgain]

The truth is we don’t give the Creator of this incredible creature enough credit

[@vibrantgleam]

exactly..

[@jamesprice1574]

Lol I'm amazed and creepped out at the same time

[@ravensrealm1170]

The craziest thing to me is how they can mimic our language without lips, and i SCREAMED at the R2D2

[@heytheyby]

No doubt! I wish this was reddit, because there's inevitably be some person who specialized in studying starlings for a decade to explain, in detail and typically some hilarious wordplay, exactly how and why they do it.

[@stonethemason12]

They're mimicking sounds...not language...

[@ericeasley7633]

Sure, but a lot of the sounds in our language are very difficult to make without lips

[@evandromagalhaes9903]

The syrinx (from the Greek word "σύριγξ" for pan pipes) is the vocal organ of birds. Located at the base of a bird's trachea, it produces sounds without the vocal folds of mammals.[1] The sound is produced by vibrations of some or all of the membrana tympaniformis (the walls of the syrinx) and the pessulus, caused by air flowing through the syrinx. This sets up a self-oscillating system that modulates the airflow creating the sound. The muscles modulate the sound shape by changing the tension of the membranes and the bronchial openings.[2] The syrinx enables some species of birds (such as parrots, crows, and mynas) to mimic human speech.

[@evandromagalhaes9903]

By Wikipedia

[@OldSchoolIntegrity]

Starlings are such clever birds. I’ve absolutely loved listening to them when I was younger.

[@dontask6863]

The R2D2 is just INCREDIBLE. Especially how it was not encouraged. The bird was just like “Say that again?! Naw check this out.”

[@idiotentalk346]

It’s obviously fake wtf

[@z0ivy]

@@idiotentalk346 damn, I didn’t know 👌

[@dona2985]

It's real lmao

[@notyours5780]

​@@idiotentalk346I hope one day you get to meet a mimicking bird and have your mind blown. Many different birds can replicate r2d2, it's a very common sound to have birds learn

[@jackiemack8653]

​@@idiotentalk346Oh yeah obviously thats why parrots and other birds do it smh

[@marshalljarnagin9370]

Vietnamese is one thing, but if the trees are full of singing r2d2s, I'm running for my life! 🤣

[@nicefoto]

Me too....😂👍

[@TTalksVA]

Just respond in C3-PO and they'll know what's up

[@nicefoto]

@@TTalksVA right,or maybe,they can sing"Wind of Change" Skorpions...i'll will answers"don't worry,be Happy"😂

[@PAKallman]

Lmao i was like when did it speak vietna.... ohhhhh

[@nicefoto]

@@PAKallman sorry,but my first language is german,then english....what do you mean,i don't understand...🤭is that comment for me?🥴

[@BierBart12]

It's crazy that the voice kinda sounds like an old recording or a landline telephone And then the perfect R2D2 happens. It's COMPLETELY on-point.

[@eank3429]

Right

[@lostpockets2227]

Left

[@BierBart12]

@@lostpockets2227 Now this is a reply I can get behind

[@Ктоя-ь1м]

Center

[@cbass7283]

Forward

[@lolitagslay]

The neck puffing up while whistling is soooooo damn cute! I can’t! 🥹

[@KycenPetersen]

This bird is a better sound engineer than I could ever be 😂

[@sofilove...20]

:Dhahha

[@ChickenFerLei]

Makes me wonder how many times throughout history did people think there was someone stalking them in the woods but really it was just a little bird mimicking them 😂

[@TPS_Report]

Right?? I would have immediately thought CRYPTID

[@Farfromhere001]

this happened to my grandpa in ww2, a bird was yelling "Hey sailor!" and he thought it was a person at first

[@kawaiiemolga]

I'm sure most stories about "finding a creature in the woods" were caused by these mimicking birds

[@jwolfe1209]

There's a video going around of a guy exploring the woods at night and a little voice, very much like this one's, calls out "I see you!"

[@jalalazizi1069]

@@jwolfe1209 that one was creepy af

[@gavingavin1049]

We have 3 starlings that we've rescued and they are such twerps when they know treats are involved. And their mimicry is always so fun to hear.

[@songsthatarecatchy]

So this is real?

[@tehfuqizg0inon588]

​@@songsthatarecatchy no, birds aren't real. Duh

[@songsthatarecatchy]

@@tehfuqizg0inon588 of course they are. I thought maybe someone put the audio over it DUH People fake videos ALL THE TIME DUH DURRRKA DURRRRR DEEE DA DEEEEE

[@smokeywilly4364]

“Is this forever?”

[@gavingavin1049]

@@songsthatarecatchy Oh yeah it's real. Ours can mimic basic phrases like "How are you? Whatcha doing?" And they are very good at sound effects.

[@Orpilorp]

What a sweet jabby bird! That is an amazing relationship!

[@percyvolnar8010]

that R2D2 was outstanding

[@alecdorval]

I was at work and I almost screamed haha it was nuts

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

​@@alecdorval THAT IS SO INSANE! IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE R2-D2! 🤯🤯🤯

[@GodsBlessingPS91]

We had a pet starling for years. He said "chirping bird", "come here", "cricket", barked, cried like a baby, and other sounds. He was a pretty amazing bird!

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

that's crazy! I'm intrigued. how do you make friends with a wild bird? do you just feed them untim they become used to you and they befriend you too?

[@GodsBlessingPS91]

@@NiSiochainGanSaoirse My aunt's dog attack him in the tall grass behind her house and broke his wing. No one was willing to treat it and since they are considered a "pest" because they arent a natural species in the US, a rescue would not take him in either. So I healed him the best I could but he could no longer fly. We had him for about 5 years before he passed away...no idea how old he was when he came to us. I bribe him with canned dog food and meal worms. As soon as he figured out I was the food source, we became friends of sorts. I would never consider him a "tame" bird but we sure enjoy his company.

[@173jaSon371]

I raised(or tried, who knows if it lived) to raise a starling about 10 years ago when I was 18, kept getting nudged out of its nest at maybe 1 week old over and over and over and it started downpouring. After a little bit I thought, "damn, I wonder if that little bird is ok" and went outside to find it dying in the bushes shivering to death. Took it inside and wrapped it in my hand in a dish towel for a couple hours and it started to relax. Like you, no one would take it so I raised it til 6-8+ weeks old, feeding it with a straw full of mushy pet food and leaving it free in my parents master bathroom.. I'd occasionally take it outside to get real flying practice and would need to recover it from the trees occasionally lol. Once it was a little older I would bring it live inchworms and ants til I released it in my backyard. It did about a dozen super rapid circles over my head and soared off. Hopefully she made it, but who knows if I did enough for it!

[@EdgyShooter]

The crying like a baby seems incredibly ominous 😅

[@lordofnaps]

If I had a pet starling I'd teach em' a bunch of pokemon crys and MH roars

[@human_kittenz]

I think it's absolutely nuts that an animal can mimic and "talk " when you think about it

[@MildlyAutisticApe]

Why? Humans are just hairless apes and we talk nonstop. Clearly speech is something that's evolved in multiple lineages. Even if its the most complex in ours

[@Mossy179]

Right out of Howl's moving castle

[@TamiMarieShand]

Perfect pitch, perfect recall, amazing! Would love to hear the Starling mimic Classical Music.

[@Elsalover]

WHAT AMAZES THE FRICK OUTTA ME, IS HOW IT CAN NOT ONLY IMMITATE SOUND FREQUENCY, BUT ALSO, ROUGH SOUNDS SUCH AS METAL, CHAINSAW, HITTING OF SOLID SURFACES, IPHONE SHUTTER SOUND EFFECT AND SO MUCH MORE 😶😶😶😶😶😶

[@Thewhiteandorange]

me, when it's nice out: "man, the birds are realllly going at it out there." birds going at it out there: *one single starling trying to get laid*

[@danifoxx7469]

I live in a town full of magpies and often going for walks is terrifying when you hear various alarm sounds echoing from the trees or the sounds of idling cars in the air😂

[@bbrian2]

That's a lyrebird that BBC featured making those sounds, but just as impressive!

[@RavenPeake]

AND MOZART let's not ignore that.

[@toesalotboys3378]

THE ULTIMATE VOICE ACTOR

[@JaneDoe-rj4jn]

You often hear starlings mimic other birds. (Often hawk type noises ). I Also hear them make weird metallic sounds as well when I’m out for walks in suburbia. People just don’t stop and realize how talented they are!

[@anatoliagolden-hall4553]

Do you think the weird metallic noises could be the sounds of dumpster trucks as they go through your neighborhood?

[@leaf6356]

@@anatoliagolden-hall4553 ive heard birds around where I live (probably not starlings) mimic car horns and kids screaming from being outside playing, so probably!!

[@captainahab5522]

A starling in my local area mimics “ *beep* please Stand clear vehicle reversing *beep*”

[@MinstrelSentFromAnotherLand]

When starlings migrate here to south Texas, they will often group up with another spectacular bird, the grackle. These birds make almost indescribable sounds that are somewhat metallic in ways. Likely the starlings are just picking up on that!

[@Sparkitto]

It’s honestly insane how birds can mimic so perfectly when they don’t even have lips!

[@unsatisfiedcustomer1792]

​@Josh El science is something I don't comprehend

[@nelly5954]

​@@unsatisfiedcustomer1792 flesh flaps go weewoo

[@unsatisfiedcustomer1792]

@@nelly5954 ong

[@LoLErMan13]

​@Josh El wouldn't they need to know english?

[@ok0_0]

@@LoLErMan13 no. Its like you saying a word after hearing it without knowing the meaning.

[@joeymcspadden1885]

Amazingly awesome and incredibly beautiful bird and the relationship is incredible.

[@Kingspridechillll]

It's all fun and jokes till you hear who's my precious at 3am💀

[@raeve7468]

and that whistling song 💀💀💀

[@gussetblaster6786]

This is just absolutely mind blowing! The R2D2 mimic is like something straight out of a high-end electronic synthesizer! Incredible!

[@rietzhu]

You mean “movie”. 😅

[@Biface]

@@rietzhu they get the sounds in the movie with foley and other sound designers/musicians

[@jean-louispech4921]

R2D2 comes from the high end synthesizer of 70's, the ARP2600.

[@FireflyGirl68]

R2D2's sound was made by a person speaking actual words into a mic and through a synthesizer, so yeah, pretty darn close!

[@vendetta1429]

In the future, we will have organic synthesizers, made of genetically engineered bio-mechanical horrors.

[@lirey9768]

When my dad was growing up, my grandmother had an African Gray who could also do the R2-D2 sound really well, but also, could mimic my grandmother's voice extremely well. There were multiple times where it would call to my dad in her voice, he'd go to see what she wanted, and they'd both be super confused until the bird started laughing at them

[@randallkruse5012]

😂

[@danielhubley3335]

Birds are evilly smart 😂😂

[@RemnantDiscipleLazzaro-Rev1217]

You are anthropomorphising an animal.

[@spacelinx]

@@RemnantDiscipleLazzaro-Rev1217 Not entirely. In my own experiences with animals, I’ve learned they do have a sometimes evil sense of humor. They often know what they’re doing more than we give them credit for.

[@spacelinx]

When I was a child, there was a mockingbird that nested near my house. It learned the whistle my dad would make when he’d call our dog to the back door to come inside. That mockingbird drove my dog insane whistling like my dad, just to watch him run to the door and get confused when my dad wasn’t there. 😂

[@AJ-Johnson12]

Dude the R2D2 mimic is absolutely wild. I mean its spot on. Never knew birds could mimic that well.

[@badgerdino]

That whistling was honestly pretty impressive on both sides! I can't whistle in the slightest 💀

[@CharlieApples]

Same lol 😭

[@lorimiller4301]

Just put your lips together and blow. Actually if you practice for only a couple of hours you'll get it. It's just like riding a bike. You just gotta try.

[@Amira_Phoenix]

It was Mozart by the way, the Queen of Night aria

[@jfm14]

​@@lorimiller4301 Nah. I could do it for my whole life and then one day I tried and couldn't, not exhaling anyway. I've practiced and practiced for years since then to no avail. It's not a skill everyone can acquire through practice. I agree everyone should put in a good effort though, as it's a fun and useful skill. As for me, I learned to wookie call instead. 😅

[@shrimpymuscles8413]

​@@jfm14 I can't whistle either. It's bc of my tongue and a genetic recessive gene that doesn't allow me to make my tongue take the proper shape.

[@Lachesi]

The sudden R2D2 is *chef's kiss*

[@HughLlewellyn]

I used to have a momma starling who nested under the the corner of my roof near my art studio back in the 90s on my farm in southern Wisconsin. She did an amazing repertoire of bird songs, many of which I was able to identify as not native to the region. Took me a few days to realize it was all coming from her. Then she had her babies. When they were old enough to sit on the corner of the roof with her, she started teaching them her songs. The next year, she came back to have her babies there again. And several adult birds hung out with her, all doing her beautiful songs. I moved away the following year before she came back. I like to think, 2 decades later, my old farm is populated every spring by her descendents, all singing exotic bird songs around the farm for the new residents.

[@my_flippin_journey]

... ♥️ ...

[@mihaelauricaru5150]

Amazing!❤

[@QuinnieMae]

This is a gorgeous memory. Thank you for sharing it 🕊️🥰

[@nicoler3499]

I love this🤗💜

[@JoakoMoko]

This is precious ❤

[@alexjackson936]

Omg, this is so fascinating. It seems to have far more of a vocal range that what I’ve heard from parrots and cockatiels. I still know very little about birds, and find it all very fascinating.

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Bird speaks, enunciates better than alot of people and when the bird did a picture perfect R2-D2 I was blown away.

[@gmar7836]

Yes it’s astonishing how so many people cannot speak correctly

[@shorelined1]

Those are actually natural sounds for starlings. Cowbirds are even more mechanical. I call them jack-in-the-box birds

[@IvyMyki]

Its pitch perfect

[@starkiller4557]

My jaw literally dropped at the R2-D2 sounds, that’s on another level

[@MrAvocadoMan]

Some of these birds are like audio recorders. I recommend looking up "bird imitates camera shutter" then clicking the video titled Attenborough: the amazing Lyre Bird sings like a chainsaw.

[@MsMesem]

Sounds like an Australian Magpie.

[@denisevillada]

Muy digital ese sonido..

[@wingedinfinity6715]

That's what I'm saying. And some of the statememts came from the bird FIRST !?? 🤷🏼‍♀️😯

[@cecilevans9247]

Not the part where it was speaking English?

[@stancexpunks]

When he said that entire sentence “who’s my precious jabby bird?” I was shocked

[@TokeStorm024]

Same here. To be able to pronounce the B’s, the M, and the P, with its trippy tone is freakin’ nuts!

[@FioreCiliegia]

I lost it at turd bird XD

[@ketherwhale6126]

I love the R2-D2 Star Wars robot sound! Amazing!

[@anitadeclerck6000]

First time I hear a starling talk! I never knew they could mimic...just mind blowing!

[@kristahathaway9308]

Oh yes they are very good they can mimic anything there's been known to colonies out in the wilderness to mimic just about anything they hear and they don't have to be taught it really well either like they hear it a couple times and they learn it most birds that talk they don't talk and do stuff out in the wilderness but the starlings they do they learn from people they hear them and they learn to speak Ravens or just as good to they are really good at on talking starlings are the best

[@ec1222]

@@kristahathaway9308awesome to have the extra knowledge, thank you!

[@henvisch]

He didn't just imitate her words but her voice as well. Absolutely fascinating

[@jpj7087]

i mean they dont know what words are, they only imitate sounds

[@_voidkitten]

@@jpj7087 Not trying to be that person, but imitating sounds (and then giving them meaning) is how words and languages were formed. Some animals do know the meaning of certain words when taught, and these birds are incredibly intelligent.

[@mediamannaman]

She whistled such a long sequence of notes, and the bird remembered it. IIncredible mimcry!

[@derrickforeal]

I'd say the r2d2 sound was way more technical and amazing he can remember it the timing and all the proper wave signals.

[@temperances320]

Not exactly, but the bird was close

[@SelenaSecretShow]

Okay I've seen a lot of birds in my life but this is the coolest bird I've ever seen in my whole life. 🖤✨

[@juliehancock1565]

He's adorable, I didn't realise that starlings will mimic voices. That R2D2 was really precious

[@joleehaak]

Birds are really smart!!

[@lelouchlibritannia3771]

Sorry but what's a R2-D2?

[@procrastinator6902]

​@@lelouchlibritannia3771 Robot from Star Wars movies

[@sarjidmohammed]

If that bird landed on my ledge and starting speaking i would think i need to talk to a psychiatric dr.

[@sarjidmohammed]

They need to get down with birdies and try to coax an acknowledgement of your male beauty. Just to see what species has what kind of speech mimicking abilities. Errrm can crows tell me to f off?

[@damienjeremyweir4543]

LMAO this actually happend to me, I was in Tottenham Hale retail park and there's hundreds of those starlings and from the window of my car whlie waiting for people to cross in fron of the car in the parking lot I looked up at a starling on the floodlights and it started talking to me with a robot voice, I swear people dont really believe me when I talk about that

[@sarjidmohammed]

Wildlife and ornithology need to press birdies to see if they acknowledge good-looking young males. I swear a crow told me to f off once .

[@evxl-]

Skinwalker

[@sarjidmohammed]

@@evxl- Polymorph that became my gf.

[@caravanlifenz]

In New Zealand, the native tui songbirds can imitate human voices and they have that exact metallic sound that your starling has. It gives their mimicry a robotic quality.

[@craigslist6988]

nightmare fuel for doctor who fans..

[@humanwithaplaylist]

Aotearoa

[@AmandaLovesOldFords]

That what scare the shit out of me if I was just walking around and heard a disembodied voice.

[@vegemate639]

Oz lyre got a few noisy boys down under

[@hermestrismegistus3417]

The way it mimics your vocal timbre and accent too oh good heavens

[@badnewsbruner]

The fact that this bird just did a 1:1 R2D2 impression is amazing. It even nailed the vibrato.... I gotta look into their voice box and how they mimick sound, this is amazing.

[@BeatBoxBrian]

There’s a KZbin video explaining how birds do it. Very interesting!

[@badnewsbruner]

@@BeatBoxBrian could you link it to me please? I would love to learn more.

[@BeatBoxBrian]

@@badnewsbruner I think it was from scishow. If I remember correctly, they have similar lungs and trachea as us, but rather than the vocal folds being up in the trachea, there are two sets of folds down above both lungs. And for whatever reason, that allows for some insane sound-making. They also have more densely packed neurons in their brain than mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. Makes em really smart for their mass. I’m a beatboxer, so I make lots of fun sounds and am so facilitated by these talented little guys!

[@badnewsbruner]

@@BeatBoxBrian Very awesome!! Thanks for the info!!

[@cryssyyxx]

I wonder if the kenku race gets inspiration from this bird because the mimicry is amazing

[@benjamindover5676]

That R2D2 impression really knocked my socks off. Oh,, scrolling down I see that just about all the comments are about R2D2,

[@katyrosy124]

Same wtf

[@hellmuffin678]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dogsrulecatsdrool5635]

His precise pronunciation of every word is mind-blowing!!! ❤😂

[@dieseldabz7104]

It's fake😂

[@ladyinsect6444]

@@dieseldabz7104maybe but probably not, wait till you see one of these guys in person lol. Those are all sounds that mimicking birds could easily make.

[@rosameijering5161]

​@@dieseldabz7104 no its not. I live in the netherlands and we have a lot of these birds. But people domt pay attention, that is why they dont believe they can do such a things. We live close to primary school so you always hear them mimicking playing children and also the police and other sounds they make. They probably just like to mimic

[@stpfs9281]

@residentboejiden5796 "My sweet turd bird", yep!

[@stpfs9281]

@@dieseldabz7104 You obviously haven't met any Starlings!

[@DeborahOrgain]

WOW!!!!! Absolutely amazing that these little birds can talk like a parrot 🦜 or better!?!?!

[@niesson9456]

Props to the bird for spreading awareness of classical music - that it's not just for "elites" - - woo for Queen of the Night whistle!

[@lorddampnut5275]

Hit those high notes too

[@N9TheNoob]

the "elites" in quotes

[@niesson9456]

@@N9TheNoob In the old days, people would save up for yeaaaars to actually afford even a single performance ticket to a single performance during the times of classical composers. Today, we have access to it on the Internet, we have better tech to enjoy it we have planes to travel with instead of ships for months. Yet people still think classical music is "elitist." Old cartoons would use it more than these days. Memes do as well. Yet people never get past the first few seconds of specific pieces. It's almost like when the people around me sing misheard lyrics of popular top 100 for the sake of a fad, but never googled the lyrics. So it is now 2023. There's a channel called TwoSetViolin that spreads awareness for it classical music and the love for playing instruments. The fact this bird heard it to copy it is probably from tiktok usage or their hoomans listened to the opera itself at home. Music is more available for everyone. Even famous kpop idols took inspiration from classical pieces.

[@19gregske55]

Even WAM would love it!

[@michaelsullivan9342]

​@@niesson9456 Listening to classical music makes you more intelligent and will boost your IQ level as well !!!

[@dewilew2137]

This bird literally whistled his own rendition of that tune in the same key. What the heck. 😮

[@shadowrylander]

Basically completed it with a different ending. 😹

[@christinfranklin1333]

​@@shadowrylander that's exactly what I was thinking

[@Chris-sv8ty]

Dude improvised a major chord arpeggio 😮😳

[@marymcgrath7744]

I had no idea that this bird could talk so clearly! And wow! The R2D2 sound! Impressive!

[@tylerjakes5651]

Hello how are you doing? Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

[@snorkchop8134]

​@@tylerjakes5651 Thanks :D Hope you are too. Happy Easter!

[@taylorv49017]

❤❤❤❤

[@trilikvlt]

@@tylerjakes5651 Hello there ! I know your comment is over a month old, I just wanted to say I hope you’re having a wonderful day as well !

[@lizzymint6705]

This is eerie beyond belief. Nature is amazing

[@anaheimterrazas6854]

Protect him at all costs

[@klashnacovak47]

That’s a bit transphobic. What if he identifies as female bus driver.

[@call_me_glacier]

​@@klashnacovak47 bruh shut up

[@tuduluoo7408]

Sit on him

[@Iead]

@@klashnacovak47 Least unhinged YT commenter

[@klashnacovak47]

It’s called virtue sarcasming.

[@carljohnston7527]

Until now, I had no idea that Starlings could mimick sounds so accurately! Such an adorable little burb!

[@Celestial_Reach]

The moment it did R2D2 I lost it

[@erwinj9697]

The starlings on the farm I work at sometimes whistle exactly like we do when we whistle to the cows. They often fool me thinking I hear a colleague I'm looking for. It's uncanny how similar they sound to the real whistles.

[@alexandermckay9521]

@@erwinj9697I wonder how many creepy situations in the woods and whatnot can be explained away by these birds just mimicking things and making people think there’s someone stalking them.

it's "bird" you dummy smdh

[@shadycatz85]

They're related to crows and ravens, who are also mimics :)

[@rheam3920]

My mind just cannot process how birds mimic human voices so accurately. Nothing short of magic

[@pseudotasuki]

And droid voices.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

I'm just amazed it can pronounce "j" and "s" sounds without having lips.

[@johnhildenbrand2642]

​@@_Just_Another_Guy So can you...

[@jefflastnam8566]

​@@_Just_Another_Guy those are both non labial sounds?? And relevant sound would be be b,m,p,w,f,v

[@pjtyra2106]

@@_Just_Another_Guy lips don’t have to touch to make a J and S sound

[@ih8myfriends]

Amazing how he can really capture her voice.