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When it comes to birds, it’s the Chatty Cathy types who have a “wing” up on the competition. You can’t possibly have a bad day in the presence of these little comedians, and I think some of the more extroverted species make it their life’s mission to make sure of it.
Cruz, the African Grey Parrot, is one of these little performers—who may or may not be aware of how hilarious he is—and he’s all about showboating an impressive list of vocal talents for the masses. Consider this his audition for the next blockbuster movie, Broadway production, or even a set at your local comedy club!
When I woke up today, I didn’t know I needed a whole minute of Cruz’s words, phrases, beatboxing, and yes, even fart sounds, but here we are! As one of the funniest African Grey Parrots I’ve ever seen, Cruz’s delivery with the simplest “wot” or “shut up” is literally the LOL we all need. It’s obvious this charismatic bird, who makes it all look so effortless, was born for the limelight!
Related: Bright Yellow Parrot Who Looks Like a Banana Lives for Mom’s Compliments
In case you missed one key element of Cruz’s performance, check out any of this cutie-pie’s posts and take note of his British mannerisms. Even when channeling his angsty teen self by telling Mom what’s up, he does it with an accent, and it’s THE best!
Are African Grey Parrots the Smartest Birds?
We can’t know a bird‘s exact IQ, but Harvard researchers suggest African Grey Parrots are widely considered the world’s smartest birds. With an extensive vocabulary comparable to a 5-year-old child, their cognitive abilities far surpass many other “talking” birds—like clever Cockatoos who’ve been compared to 3-year-olds.
Parrots like Cruz excel at mimicry, language, and context, as well as object recognition, counting, and so much more (fart sounds, anyone?!). They understand colors, shapes, numerical values, and problem-solving like no other, and the number of words they’re able to learn is astounding. The list of things that make these birds amazing is seemingly endless!
Cruz may not actually be auditioning for Broadway, but should any of his funny posts make their way into a Hollywood agent’s inbox, he’s a sure bet for the next big thing!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.