This Might Be the Smartest Parrot We've Ever Seen
We just ran into a video from Apollo the parrot on YouTube, and he might be the smartest parrot we've ever seen.
Apollo lives with his human parents, Dalton and Tori, in Florida, and they're giving Apollo a "preschool-level homeschooling education," inspired in part by Dr. Irene Pepperberg and her work with an African grey parrot named Alex.
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Apollo's parents are hoping to make him "the smartest animal ever," and based on this YouTube short, they're not far from their goal!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kL6xLY6mhHw
"My shirt," Apollo says as his dad messes with his shirt, prompting an immediate "yay" from dad as we start the impressive video.
From there, we watch Apollo count to four and answer a series of questions naming objects, stating what they're made of, and describing their color.
Apollo doesn't get every question right on the first response, and who would? We're sure training a parrot to speak human languages is very tiresome for the brainy bird.
Of course, correct answers and great behavior are rewarded with a delicious snack. That kind of positive reinforcement is only fair!
"The combined concepts is crazy work for a parrot," one commenter says.
"That was more than four questions! Apollo is doing whole tests over here," another says.
"Oh he is just the best boy, I absolutely love him. I could never grow tired of hearing him say 'metal' and 'hat,'" another admires.
Related: African Grey Parrot Gets a New Toy and His Sister Requests Earplugs
How to Train a Parrot to Speak
If you're interested in training a parrot to speak with you, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best and happiest results.
Whether you're aiming for Apollo-level intelligence or just some cute back-and-forth "conversations," it's always good to start with simple, one- or two-syllable words. "Hello," "goodbye" and "pretty" are great places to start.
If you're enthusiastic and speak in a high-pitched tone, the bird is more likely to respond and have fun. It's also best to keep training sessions short, to just two to three minutes at a time. You're also likely to have a better outcome if you wait until your bird is feeling naturally chatty and clearly having fun.
Consistency is also key. If you train only every few weeks, things won't stick! You must repeat the words you're trying to teach often, especially in the morning or right before your bird takes a meal, as these are the times when they're most receptive to learning.
Of course, you could always just tune in to Apollo's home schooling and be amazed, no at-home parrot required!
Related: This Parrot Singing Along to Selena Is So Precious
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 7:05 AM.