“Polly want a cracker!” Would you like for your bird to talk to you? The first thing you need to figure out if your bird is a kind that is able to speak. Here is a list of birds that can talk:
- Cockatoo
- Cockatiel
- Amazonian Parrot
- Monk Parakeet
- Indian Ringneck
- Monk Parakeet
- Quaker Parrot
- Eclectus
- Hill Myna
- African Grey
Now that you know if them talking is a possibility, let’s talk about how you can work with them and get them to talk. Begin by building a social relationship with your bird. Speak to the bird often, so that it trusts you and gets used to your voice. Speaking in a gentle voice, make sure to play with your bird every day.
Just like training any animal, a talking bird requires short, frequent and regular training sessions. Make a schedule, limiting training sessions to 5 minutes, for two to five times each day. Your bird will pick up on simple words if you say them often. Examples are “hello, bye-bye, night-night” and your bird’s name.
When you teach your bird to talk, hold her in front of your mouth. This is to make sure that you have each other’s attention. This will also help the bird to focus on the sounds you want them to make. You can even include a relative or friend, as some birds learn better when several people are involved.
It is a good idea to repeat specific words or phrases whenever you do something with the bird, such as “up” when you lift her. Be sure to reward your bird with treats whenever she says something that you want her to say. Don’t reward the bird unless she is talking.
Provide your bird with a variety of sounds to make. This is to be certain that they are entertained. You can even try playing recordings of words to your bird for about 5 minutes at a time. Last but not least, be patient with your feathered friend. Some birds may begin to speak after a few months, while others may take years. Just enjoy your bird’s company and she will return the favor.