The Radiolab podcast episode "A Flock of Two" explores the story of Jim Eggers, a man with bipolar disorder and a history of violent outbursts, and his African Grey Parrot, Sadie. After a series of incidents, including threatening an archbishop, Jim acquires Sadie, who begins to mimic his speech. Jim notices that when he is about to lose control, Sadie repeats his calming phrases, seemingly helping him manage his anger. The story delves into whether Sadie's actions are mere mimicry or a deeper understanding of Jim's emotional state. Despite the lack of external validation from Jim's community and the ambiguity of Sadie's true comprehension, the podcast concludes that the relationship between Jim and Sadie has a positive impact on Jim's behavior and well-being, suggesting that the intention behind the action may be less important than the result.
