Teaching My 6 Yr Old Parrot To Talk

AngelAndMe · Jul 27, 2014

I just brought home a 6 year old female Eclectus who I bought from a woman :red1:

who could no longer have her for health reasons. Her name is Angel, and she's warming up slowly.

She doesn't seem to talk much. When I first got her she would scream a lot to get my attention, but now that she's realizing she won't get it that way she's not doing it as often. She likes to make cooing noises. She often coo's to herself when she's content or when it's night time, and it's usually accompanied with her grinding her beak. Is this just a sign of contentment, or is there something more?

I've been researching about teaching Eclectus's to talk, but I only get either parrots that are under a year, or older parrots, past their twenties. How can I teach my parrot to talk at the age she is?

Anansi · Jul 27, 2014

The cooing and beak grinding are definitely signs of contentment. My male eclectus, Bixby, often does it himself.

As for teaching your parrot to talk, speak to her every chance you get. And repeat certain key phrases that you'd like her to pick up, as well. This is true at any age.

Just keep in mind that not every bird is inclined, or capable, of speech, no matter the reputation of its type.

MrsKay · Jul 27, 2014

Congratulations to you and Angel! How wonderful for you both

Does Angel say anything or mimic any sounds at all?
Anansi is correct, just keep repeating and repeating and repeating every day, at different hours. If Angel isn't saying anything, I would repeat one word, or name.
I got Larry (my greencheek) to say 'hello' then I add, 'hello gorgeous'
I say 'hello, hello gorgeous, hello Larry, for several minutes in the morning, noon and evening. I know this can take weeks, months.....
By the time he calls me gorgeous I'll either be too old or I may be so tired of saying it that I don't want to hear it, heheheh

RavensGryf · Jul 27, 2014

In my personal experience... talking about my Red Bellied parrot who turns 20 on Thursday, Robin keeps learning new sounds all the time STILL! Some words, but he's better at mimicking sounds.

I did notice that he responds and is more likely to pick up new things when exposed to anything "new". Meaning new place to live (when we'd move), when new people would come into his life, and I admit he doesn't get out much, but I bet it would stimulate him to pick up new noises also.

MrsKay · Jul 27, 2014

You also might try a 'Teach Your Parrot To Talk' CD which you can play repetitively while you are away?
My new canary, Norman, is singing a little bit but I'd like to hear more. So at someone's suggestion I ordered a 'Teach Your Canary To Sing' CD last week. I am still waiting for it to arrive. I plan on hearing it ONCE (hahah), then turning it on every time I leave the house until I HOPEFULLY get some results

ya never know.

Mattroma · Jul 28, 2014

Do you know if she talked for her previous owner? Being rehomed must be tramatic, I've seen some birds not talk even thought hey could. They need time to settle in and feel comfortable.

AngelAndMe · Jul 28, 2014

These are all really great things to know, Thank you! I know at her old home she did like to mimic music and she talk. I'm working with her slowly to get her used to me, but I know a bond will take more time. I'll keep repeating the things I was, as that sounds about right. This was really helpful though.

I definitely know she has to feel comfortable in order to talk as well as play with her toys, and this will all take time.

Thank you so much!!

Birdman666 · Jul 28, 2014

Sometimes they have to get to know you first before they open up to you... The more you interact with them, the more interactive they become.

If you use words and phrases appropriately and in context, there is a pretty good chance they will use them back to you in context, maybe not immediately, but someday... It sounds odd, but if you teach, they will learn.

And 6 years old is young. They are capable of learning new things until the day they die... if you teach them.

Phlox · Jul 28, 2014

And do remember, not all birds will talk, even species known for talking. I just adopted an Amazon, and she used to talk, but hasn't for a while. She might never talk for me but it really doesn't matter. I talk to her a lot and we are getting her more involved in our lives every day....but we'll love her just the same, even if she never says a word

labell · Jul 28, 2014

Eclectus can also be "closet talkers" mine will say a few short words while on me or when I am in the room with them but shut the door and they think no one is listening and it sounds like a coffee house chat room in there, they all start blabbing away! They really get going when the sun is coming up and they are waiting on mom to bring breakfast and then at night about an hour before bedtime.

Congrats on your girl and just give her lots of love and good food, also it's a good idea to teach her to step up onto a stick as well as your hand.

chamile · Jul 29, 2014

I will be bringing my male eclectus Bud home mid August and at first I didn't think he spoke. I go to the bird store on my days off and spend about 3 hrs with him. For the first couple of weeks he was so quite he didn't make any noises. Then one day he was nice and calm perched on my finger and surprised me with a hello! I believe that you won't know what your eclectus is capable of until they are comfortable with you. Now when I come by to visit him he makes all kinds of sounds, I usually greet him with a hello and a song "you are my sunshine. "Best of luck with your new eclectus they are wonderful. Also I have learned that females can be a little more challenging. I know I have a lot of work cut out for me. Bud is 5 years old and his previous owner did not interact with him a whole lot. However he has learned to step up already. Give her some time and you will be amazed.

drlisaort · Aug 9, 2014

Congrats to you and Angel!!!! I repeat words until Oliver catches on...and then add another word. When he was a baby I sang You are My Sunshine and now he sings it with me. When I call out Sage (our dog) or say bye or hello or watcha dong to anyone he gets totally excited repeating the same quite loud and proud. He also picked up the phone ring of the housekeeper...not too pleasant of a ring I might add...

Teaching My 6 Yr Old Parrot To Talk

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