Talking age

[Sheeji]

Just curious. At what age did your Grey start talking? Mine only whistles and usually stops when we go near him. Makes noises that sound like speech (like he's trying to copy us) and makes clicking noises back.
However when we talk to him directly he just listens attentively.
Is this a good sign?

 

[bobbyvcp]

Mine is 7 months old and still nothing. Lots of whistling and clicking sounds. The first week we had him it seemed like he was trying to say Hello then never again.

 

[Birdman666]

Just curious. At what age did your Grey start talking? Mine only whistles and usually stops when we go near him. Makes noises that sound like speech (like he's trying to copy us) and makes clicking noises back.
However when we talk to him directly he just listens attentively.
Is this a good sign?

Mine started talking clearly at around six months or so.

Listening intently means that he is studying. A lot of times they practice when no one is around, then suddenly just start blurting stuff out.

 

[Hawk]

Just curious. At what age did your Grey start talking? Mine only whistles and usually stops when we go near him. Makes noises that sound like speech (like he's trying to copy us) and makes clicking noises back.
However when we talk to him directly he just listens attentively.
Is this a good sign?

Yes it is a good sign that he is listening as you speak, they also follow your expression and body language to associate words with meaning. That's what Greys are fond of, associating words with their meanings.

My Grey is 18 months, he started talking at 6 months old. Small words...now at 18 months he'll say whole sentences. I worked with names at first, pointing to my chest and saying my name....then pointing to his chest and saying his name....

He says my name when calling for me...."Michaelllllllllllll......breakfast" he says... or "Whatcha doing BOO Boooooo" ....." go lay down" talking to the dog..."get my ball" after he drops it on the floor....

Greys will forget if it's not repeated daily...practice and more practice pays off. My Amazon 8 yrs old...has a vocabulary of over 1300 words. such as...

Where we going?......
I really like it....
where's mama....
Can I have a drink?
It's really good...
It's cold outside....
No no...you go lay down bad dog....
Come on, come on, up up, hurry.
Poppie's a good girl, wanna sing a song?...
What's that???

Just to name a few...she carrys a conversation with you.

 

[BillsBirds]

Understand that even though a birds' species can talk, that doesn't mean that every bird will. Many birds choose not to mimic human speech. They communicate in their own language naturally, and do not feel the need to learn any new language. Also, physiological and psychological issues may prevent it. Keep talking to your bird, and strengthen the bond between you both as much as possible. That will nurture a desire to communicate in your language.

 

[Sheeji]

Finally. This thread came alive. Lol it had started to sound like my Grey.

 

[Sheeji]

One more thing. I read on one of the websites that whistling is not a good thing. If they whistle a lot they may never talk. Is that true? Another one says you should whistle back, it teaches them to copy sounds. None of us in the family knows how to whistle. So that doesn't help anyways.

 

[jasper19]

One more thing. I read on one of the websites that whistling is not a good thing. If they whistle a lot they may never talk. Is that true? Another one says you should whistle back, it teaches them to copy sounds. None of us in the family knows how to whistle. So that doesn't help anyways.

Well i am not an expert, but i think the 'whistling' thing you read is a load of **** :54:

Angel says tons of words clearly, and sentences...and also whistles up a storm!...along with tons of other sounds, clicking, coughing (like a human) Sneezing, meow....

I wouldn't think because they whistle means they won't ever talk. Just always use the same word associated with the same thing. Like every night, say goodnight, goodbye. Then turn the light off and leave. Soon enough your bird will say this when they know its bedtime, or even if they WANT to go to sleep they will start incessantly saying "goodnight" "goodbye"....like ok bird i get the hint already haha

 

[thekarens]

I agree, that's BS. Our grey could whistle sleigh ride and 76 trombones and also had a 200 word vocabulary. He really didn't start talking until he turned 1, but continued to learn new words until he died at 14.

 

[Sheeji]

It must be heartbreaking to lose a pet that's been with you for so long. Makes me sad just reading about it. RIP

 

[Hawk]

One more thing. I read on one of the websites that whistling is not a good thing. If they whistle a lot they may never talk. Is that true? Another one says you should whistle back, it teaches them to copy sounds. None of us in the family knows how to whistle. So that doesn't help anyways.

Well i am not an expert, but i think the 'whistling' thing you read is a load of **** :54:

Angel says tons of words clearly, and sentences...and also whistles up a storm!...along with tons of other sounds, clicking, coughing (like a human) Sneezing, meow....

I wouldn't think because they whistle means they won't ever talk. Just always use the same word associated with the same thing. Like every night, say goodnight, goodbye. Then turn the light off and leave. Soon enough your bird will say this when they know its bedtime, or even if they WANT to go to sleep they will start incessantly saying "goodnight" "goodbye"....like ok bird i get the hint already haha

My grey dose the same thing....After breakfast, he sits by the window on his perch and talks and whistles up a storm...His songs and dancing are whistling...Quite a character.