In a delightful twist of nature and nurture, a crow in Palghar, Maharashtra, has stunned the internet by mimicking human speech — clearly repeating words like “Papa” in a viral video that’s captured hearts across social media.
The video, first shared by BBC Marathi, shows the bird sitting comfortably near humans and vocalizing in a way that resembles a small child calling out. It was originally posted by Tanuja Mukne, a resident of Wada Taluk, who rescued the crow three years ago after finding it injured in her garden.
Mukne and her family cared for the bird for over two weeks, and what began as an act of kindness blossomed into an extraordinary bond. The crow stayed with the family after its recovery, and over time, began imitating words it frequently heard around the home. Today, it responds with words like “Papa,” “Kaka,” “Mummy,” and “Baba” — making it nothing short of a local marvel.
Locals and animal enthusiasts have flocked to witness the “talking crow,” now a celebrity in its own right. Experts have chimed in to explain that crows, being among the most intelligent bird species, are capable of mimicking human speech with exposure and repetition — much like parrots.
The internet, predictably, has had a field day. While some users are awestruck by the bird’s abilities, others have joked about its potential, with one commenter quipping, “This crow is ready for the JEE exam!”
More than just a viral sensation, this story is a beautiful reminder of the bonds that can form between humans and wildlife — and the surprises that follow when kindness meets intelligence.
