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TO TALK OR NOT TO TALK ... |
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... THAT IS THE BIRD'S QUESTION ... By
John Geary One of the first things people ask me when they hear I have a parrot is: "Does he talk?" I like to quote Liz Wilson, a certified veterinary technician and regular contributor to BirdTalk magazine. In a 2002 article, she wrote her favorite response to that question is, "Yes, he talks perfect parrot!" First
of all, it's important that you accept the fact some parrots just never
pick up human speech, for reasons unknown. It's important to love your
feathered companion for what she or he is, not what you want your bird
to be. Our
19-year-old CAG Nikki does not talk - at least, not human. He speaks
GREAT parrot, though! He whistles, pops, and imitates all kinds of
sounds. He was abused by his first owner (probably because he didn't
talk) and developed some really difficult behavioural issues. When we
first met him, he hated all men and it took me 18 months to gain his
trust enough just so he'd step up. We're now bosom buddies, but he still
doesn't talk human. He communicates in many other ways, though, and we
love him no less for it. He
does make one sound we hate - a very high, shrill-pitched PEEP! -
usually when he's not getting enough attention, or when he's unhappy
about something. The best way to handle that is to IGNORE IT or use some
method to distract him. Responding in any way - even in the negative -
will reward the bird and the behaviour will continue. I always tell people who seem to be overly concerned about a bird's talking ability, "If you want a parrot that talks, buy a toy mechanical parrot." Even an older parrot that talks with one human may stop completely if it goes to live with another human. Rescue centres are full of abused and neglected parrots forsaken by their humans because they didn't "talk human." Remember,
these are sentient beings, not pieces of property to get rid of the
first time they don't do exactly what you want them to do. If all your bird ever does is whistle, at least be grateful it is trying to communicate. Whistling is one way of communicating. Wild grey parrots in the rainforest do this all the time. You
can help maximize your bird's potential for talking human. it's
important to talk to her constantly, telling her what you're doing, when
you're doing it. For example, when you're making coffee, say,
"Let's make coffee, Nikki!" and do it all the time, not just
once or twice. When giving the bird a treat, tell her what it is.
"Would you like a peanut, Coco?" "Here's a peanut."
She will learn by association and context. However,
if you don't accept the fact your may never talk much, if you're
disappointed, he will sense this and could develop behavioural problems.
Remember, we're dealing with a creature that has the intellectual
capability of a six-year-old human but the emotional maturity of a
two-year-old. And like a two-year-old human, parrots want nothing more
than to love and be loved. If
you want to give your bird every chance to be happy and healthy, let go
of your expectations - you'll be amazed at how this wonderful creature
will amaze you - daily. The more love you show your bird, the more love
you'll get in return. These creatures have incredible depths of love and
acceptance (and forgiveness!)
For more info about talking and greys, visit Talking and Intelligence in African Greys on Sally Blanchard's Companion Parrot Quarterly website |
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General Information About African Greys |
