I know some parrots have amazingly large vocabularies and are smart enough to link objects (and perhaps actions) with specific sounds/words. I don't know whether they understand words that relate to emotions (I wouldn't rule it out, but I have no knowledge on the subject). Taking a behavioristic stance, if having language improves a parrot's life, I'd expect parrots to continue talking even when they are (or become) wild. I think investigating this would make fascinating research. Do wild parrots gossip? Do they have actual conversations with words they picked up from humans?
Ah, if only I were rich and unafraid of big cities and international travel...
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