🦜
Parrot
PEHR-uht
Definitions
1
Animals · Birds
Common
A colorful tropical bird known for its ability to mimic human speech and distinctive curved beak. Used to represent parrots, exotic birds, or tropical settings.
Often used when discussing pets, tropical vacations, or wildlife. Also appears in pirate-themed contexts.
Just got back from Costa Rica and saw so many wild 🦜 in the rainforest!
Social media vacation post
My new 🦜 just said his first word today! So proud!
Pet owner message
Symbolizes exoticism, intelligence, and communication. In Western culture, strongly associated with pirates and tropical paradise imagery.
2
Communication · Speech
Uncommon
Used metaphorically to represent someone who repeats what others say without original thought or understanding, similar to 'parroting' in English.
Can have a negative connotation when referring to someone mindlessly repeating information.
Don't just 🦜 what the textbook says - explain it in your own words.
Teacher to student message
References the linguistic concept of 'parroting' or mimicry without comprehension. Used in educational and political contexts.
Evolution Timeline
2018
Introduced in Unicode 11.0 as part of an expansion of animal emojis, quickly adopted for tropical and exotic contexts.
Growing demand for more diverse animal representation in emoji sets.
2019
Usage increased with rising popularity of travel photography on Instagram, often used to signify tropical destinations.
Social media travel influencer culture and tropical vacation documentation.
Cultural Context
Parrots have been kept as exotic pets since ancient times, symbolizing wealth and global connections. The image of a pirate with a parrot on their shoulder originated in the 1700s and was popularized by 'Treasure Island.'
The verb 'to parrot' means to mindlessly repeat what someone else has said, derived from the bird's ability to mimic human speech without comprehension.
In Western cultures, parrots symbolize exoticism and tropical luxury, while in countries where they're native, they may be seen as ordinary wildlife or even agricultural pests.
The parrot emoji sometimes appears in conservation contexts, as many parrot species are endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
Regional Variations
Australia
Often represents native Australian parrots like galahs, cockatoos, and budgerigars (budgies), which are common backyard visitors.
United Kingdom
Often associated with pet birds, especially budgerigars (budgies), which are popular household pets in Britain.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Typically used literally to represent actual parrots or tropical settings, occasionally in pirate jokes.
Gen_Z: Used in tropical aesthetic posts, animal content, and occasionally as a random humorous element in memes with no direct parrot reference.
Older: Less frequently used, but appears in straightforward contexts about actual parrots or bird-watching experiences.
Millennials: Commonly used for pet content, travel photos, and references to exotic locations or experiences.
Common Combinations
🦜🏝️
Tropical paradise, exotic vacation, or island getaway with wildlife.
Common in travel posts and vacation photos to emphasize exotic destinations.
🦜🏴☠️
Pirate theme, referencing the traditional pirate's parrot companion.
Used for pirate-themed events, Talk Like a Pirate Day, or costume references.
🦜🗣️
Talking bird, mimicry, or someone repeating what others say.
Can be used positively about pet parrots or negatively about people who mindlessly repeat information.