It is frequent for people to buy a parrot because they dream of having talking parrots. However, it is important to know that not all parrots are able to talk. Also, you have to be aware, before acquiring such a bird, that parrots require significant training and hard work to be able to speak.
Macaws and cockatoos are able to learn to talk. Cockatiel can also manage to learn a word or two given significant hours of training. However, the African Grey is known as being the species that can best learn to talk. Some specimens have been able to learn as much as over 100 words.
Although the African Grey, Macaw, and Cockatoo are all considered talking birds, that doesn't mean that every bird will learn to talk automatically. Some may not have been properly socialized when they were young, or they've had some sort of trauma that prevents them from learning to talk.
Treats are an important tool to train parrots. You need to select small treats that you will give to your bird as rewards. You need to prepare these treats before you start the training session. This means cutting a fruit in bite-sized pieces, if it is that treat that you picked, in advance.
By giving treats, you will signal to your parrots that he is making progress and going in the right direction. It will also make the training session more enjoyable. The treats serve as positive reinforcement which helps the bird to continue its efforts.
The environment is just as important as the training method. You need to turn off the TV and radio, and possibly even go to another part of the house where there are minimal distractions. This way, he will be able to focus on you and what you are saying, and won't be learning other sounds, like cars honking outside.
Annunciate the words clearly that you want your parrot to speak, without over annunciating. At the beginning, especially if your parrot is very young, give rewards generously for just trying. As he starts to learn more, you can give rewards for saying things correctly, and less often for just trying. Say the word as many times as he needs to learn it.
Parrots can start learning words around 2 months, but do not usually start speaking until they reach 4 months old. Use that time even before they actually start talking to interact with them and allow them to understand the words that you want them to say once they do start talking. When they do learn to talk, they will be among the talking parrots that so many people want, and you can continue to teach them new words, sometimes throughout their lives.
Macaws and cockatoos are able to learn to talk. Cockatiel can also manage to learn a word or two given significant hours of training. However, the African Grey is known as being the species that can best learn to talk. Some specimens have been able to learn as much as over 100 words.
Although the African Grey, Macaw, and Cockatoo are all considered talking birds, that doesn't mean that every bird will learn to talk automatically. Some may not have been properly socialized when they were young, or they've had some sort of trauma that prevents them from learning to talk.
Treats are an important tool to train parrots. You need to select small treats that you will give to your bird as rewards. You need to prepare these treats before you start the training session. This means cutting a fruit in bite-sized pieces, if it is that treat that you picked, in advance.
By giving treats, you will signal to your parrots that he is making progress and going in the right direction. It will also make the training session more enjoyable. The treats serve as positive reinforcement which helps the bird to continue its efforts.
The environment is just as important as the training method. You need to turn off the TV and radio, and possibly even go to another part of the house where there are minimal distractions. This way, he will be able to focus on you and what you are saying, and won't be learning other sounds, like cars honking outside.
Annunciate the words clearly that you want your parrot to speak, without over annunciating. At the beginning, especially if your parrot is very young, give rewards generously for just trying. As he starts to learn more, you can give rewards for saying things correctly, and less often for just trying. Say the word as many times as he needs to learn it.
Parrots can start learning words around 2 months, but do not usually start speaking until they reach 4 months old. Use that time even before they actually start talking to interact with them and allow them to understand the words that you want them to say once they do start talking. When they do learn to talk, they will be among the talking parrots that so many people want, and you can continue to teach them new words, sometimes throughout their lives.
About the Author:
A keen naturalist and alternative livestock farmer, Alan Stables has written many articles on the animal kingdom. You can check the one on parrots as pets by reviewing his site on talking parrots.
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