wow, he's a talker!

Kiwi's first owner told me he can "cluck like a chicken" and say a few words and phrases. She wasn't kidding! After a quiet first day at home Sunday, yesterday he apparently felt comfortable enough to let loose with a whole variety of sound effects and words. We heard at least this much:
-laughing
-barking like a tiny dog
-a strange mechanical noise I can't identify
-wolf whistling
-"pretty bird"
-"hello"
-"come here"
-and a DRAMATIC, LOUD "BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK BA-GAWWWWWWK" chicken noise accompanied by head thrown back and flaring tail.

Our other Amazon, Tater, talks, but not quite so articulate-ly and doesn't have such a variety. Tater's also about 8 months old, though, and Kiwi is 3. Can't wait to see what else Kiwi can do. I'm also scared, though, because my boyfriend told me he can also do a terrible repetitive scream. I wasn't home to hear that happen. We're going to be very careful not to reinforce that behavior by letting him out or giving him any attention when he does that, and hopefully it will fade. I'm nervous about it though!

OH ? you haven't heard the OWA scream?

I haven't heard it yet. My boyfriend described it as "like a pterodactyl."

I brought home a Lilac Crowned Amazon four weeks ago. He had been raised by an elderly couple who doted on him daily. That's good and bad. He's very well adjusted and a real "people" bird, but he's also very demanding of constant attention and handling. His demands were made by high volume squawking. At first I tried to ignore him and then went to "time out", but finally I was disappointed at how much time he was spending in his cage when I really wanted him out on his tree gym or with me in the recliner. After some deliberation I started a new training program of immediately going to him when he squawked and giving him much more handling than he appreciated at one time. After a few lessons he went to playing with his toys on the gym and let me water the plants. Once he was quiet I went to him and while praising I put him in my lap without running my hands all over him. This so far has greatly reduced the loud squawking, has allowed me to touch him all over as he asks for more scratching and I can feel that we are bonding and I don't have the frustration so I'm more loving and patient.
ChuChu doesn't bite more than a hard clamping so it's possible to tickle him all over. Not all Amazons would accept this handling and it only works if you are willing to immediately cease what you're doing and pick him up. The other caution is to make it clear when he's getting a lesson and when he's getting picked up because he's good. I say, "Help, help. Bird abuse" and laugh during the lesson and "I'm a good boy" when I'm picking him up to play in my lap or carry him around on my shoulder. I want him to know what's coming when it's a lesson, but not be apprehensive when I approach when he's good. Bird's are smart.