Humor is a funny thing, literally and figuratively.
One night, I was watching The Big Bang Theory with my wife. It made me laugh so hard, I had full-on belly laughs.
I looked over at my wife, expecting her to share in the hilarity. But there she was, watching calmly. I asked, “Don’t you think this is hilarious?” She nodded and replied, “Yes, I’m laughing inside.” (In fact, it was this moment that led to one of the fables in my book, The Chameleon.)
Laughing inside? To someone with the enthusiastic and energetic Parrot personality like me, there’s no such thing as “laughing inside.” If something’s funny, I’m laughing out loud, and it gets funnier the more I think about it. But for my logical and thoughtful Owl wife, humor lives in the subtle smile, the internal nod of “That’s clever.”
It reminded me that not only do we express humor differently, but we also find different things funny depending on our personality style.
Let’s take a look at how the four personality styles—Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl—relate to comedy. In fact, you can often identify someone’s dominant style just by watching how they make people laugh (or don’t).
Eagles: Eagles like their humor like they like their communication, direct, unfiltered, and sometimes a little too blunt for sensitive ears. Think comedians like Ricky Gervais, Nikki Glaser, and Bill Burr. They’re sharp, confident, and not afraid to say what others won’t. Their humor pushes boundaries and stirs debate.
An Eagle might say the thing everyone’s thinking but no one is willing to say, and they’ll do it with a smirk, not an apology.
Parrots: Parrots are the life of the party, and their humor is all about energy and improvisation. You see this in comedians like Kevin Hart, Jim Carrey, or Melissa McCarthy. They don’t just tell jokes, they embody the joke in their faces, voices, and movements.
Parrots are masters of witty comebacks, observational riffs, and turning awkward moments into stand-up material on the spot.
Doves: Doves aren’t out to offend anyone, as they are the peacemakers. Their humor is humble, often aimed at themselves, and never used as a weapon. Think of Nate Bargatze, Mike Birbiglia, and Tig Notaro soft-spoken comedians who tell stories with sincerity and charm.
A Dove might say, “If we’re all laughing, let’s make sure it’s together, not at someone’s expense.” Their style is endearing, not explosive.
Owls: Owls love humor that makes you think. Their delivery is dry, their setups are structured, and their punchlines are often wrapped in sarcasm or irony. If you’ve ever watched Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, and Jerry Seinfeld, you’ve witnessed Owl humor in action.
Owls analyze life through a comedic lens. “Have you ever noticed…?” is practically their catchphrase. They might not always laugh out loud at their own jokes, but they’ll grin knowingly at the craftsmanship behind them.
Responding to humor
Just because someone doesn’t laugh your way doesn’t mean they’re not laughing at all. Humor, like personality, is deeply individual. Recognizing these differences is more than just amusing; it’s insightful.
So, the next time your partner, friend, or coworker doesn’t crack up at your favorite comedian or the things you say, don’t assume they’re humorless. They just might be an Owl. Or a Dove. Or maybe they’re laughing inside.
About Merrick Rosenberg
Merrick Rosenberg is the creator of the Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl personality framework and author of Personality Intelligence: Master the Art of Being You. As an award-winning speaker and founder of Take Flight Learning, Merrick has helped hundreds of thousands of people unlock the power of personality styles to transform their communication, leadership, and relationships. He’s on a mission to make self-awareness accessible, fun, and unforgettable.