We've a parliament of neighborhood magpies
A dozen or so, they stop by every morning to see if we left out food for the cat outside. They talk. It is obvious.
Back when I was doing field work in Utah, in the Canyonlands, I discovered a Raven's nest on a cliff near my campsite. I'd hang out there, just listening to their calls. They talked. About me. I always left a bit of food. I'd come back a year later and I swear they remembered me. The last time I was there, the male dropped a feather at my feet. I still have it.
Covids are smart and sentient.