Talking african gray

[NormaZ]

I have a 3 year old African Gray who has a huge vocabulary, however, he will not talk when you are in the same room with him. He will only talk when you go out an he is alone. Is there any way to get him to talk when you are in the room with him

 

[changogab]

Is the bird on or in it's cage when doing all this talking? Birds can get comfortable in or on their cages and see it as a security blanket. Try moving the bird to a play perch out of sight of it's cage tempt it with it's favorite treat while talking to (him / her). Give a reward for any talking the bird does in your presence and continue to talk to the bird....I would suggest repeating the words for phases the bird already knows. It would be perhaps a slow process, but try to take some time to do it EVERY day and before too long the bird will hopefully become comfortable enough to talk in your presence. My experience with African Greys is they like structure and consistency...they get comfortable with things that happen EVERY day. Just my ideas! Good luck!

 

[antoinette]

Hi NormaZ
She started talking at a very early age
Mishka never used to say a word, to me, when I was in the same room. Sitting in her cage she is a big chatterbox.
In the morning, on her feeding perch she chats to me, but at a distance.
She is taken out the cage for a few hours during the day (in my office).
When she said the odd word here and there I praised her and gave her treats.
Recently, when on her playpen (after dinner) she started saying single words, when I was in the same room.
I make Cd's with all the words I have taught her. Playing the Cd's to her, I say the words all day long (I work from home).
When going out the Cd's is playing for her.
Strict routine, every day, she sits on my lap for an hour. Chatting to her, saying all the words she has learnt.
My suggestion keep talking and talking and talking. Keep repeating the words over and over again, adding new ones, at a very slow pace.
It was a very long process, sometimes I was in doubt, will she ever talk directly to me.
Today I am a very proud mommy.
Hope this info was useful
PS. Go into video's. There is a recording of us chatting as well as clips.
Now I must try and video her talking to me THAT IS A MISSION AND A HALF.
Good luck
Great day

 

[antoinette]

NormaZ
You may find this very interesting.........
Go into the African Grey Corner - Discussions
There I have explained how I made the Cd's.
It certainly works for Mishka and myself.
Any help wanted, please just ask.
Good day

 

[Greydad01]

You may have to find a simple 'trigger' phrase, that'll let your grey know you want him to talk. With Zoey, the trigger was repeating the word 'Boo!' several times, very quickly.
Eventually she began repeating this back to me after I said it, then she'd engage me in conversation with other words & phrases she'd learned.

I know you said your grey is 3yrs. old, has he started mixing any of his phrases yet??

 

[norenekay]

You didn't say how long you have had your grey. Is he new to your home? If so, they are VERY cautious and if you put him in the same room with you he will get used to you sooner. My guy rarely talks in front of people, but talks to me. If we are with people, he's mute then talks my ear off as soon as we leave. Be patient anything new is suspect to them. New food, new toy, have to leave them laying near the cage for them to watch for a week or more, depends on each bird they are all different. Good luck.

 

[antoinette]

Hi Norenekay
It's actually Mishka's birthday today, she is 2 years old.
I hand reared her from 6 weeks. I think she is a female??? LoL
I am fortunate she is with me 24/7, probably why I have such good results.
When giving her a new toy, she sits on my lap, I play with it.
At first she is very wary. Eventually she comes up to the toy and investigates. This process is done over a week or two. Then I placed them in her cage. When placing her in the cage, I touch the toys, saying what they are.
Curiosity eventually gets the better of her, and she plays with then, in her own time.
As you mentioned each bird is different, my method my not work for your bird.
Give it go, no harm in trying.
Good luck

 

[norenekay]

Happy Birthday Mishka from Corky