If you want to own a talking parrot, it is best to start with a baby parrot, for several reasons. The system you use in choosing your new pet will help determine how much talking your parrot does later.
The breed you choose is important, as some parrots naturally talk more than others. The African Grey parrot is by far the best talker and can actually learn words throughout its life. Next from them are the Amazon Parrots, which are also good at learning to talk, but usually only learn for the first 2 years. Even parrots as small as cockatiels and budgies can sometimes learn a couple of words. Although big and beautiful, the Macaws and Cockatoos are not usually good talkers and can rarely learn more than 10 words.
The best place to buy your parrot is from a breeder who hand-raises parrots, because the parrot and human bond is extremely important when determining whether or not a parrot will learn to speak. Parrots that are at pet stores often don’t have the necessary socialization and often, by the time you are able to bond with them enough that they will want to learn to speak, the window of opportunity has passed.
When picking out a baby parrot, look for the ones that are the most friendly toward people and who are already the most vocal in their nest. Males tend to be better talkers than females, so choose a male when possible. Typically, sex cannot be determined until they are older or by DNA testing, so you may just have to pick a bird that is larger than the others and hope that it is a male. You will also want to be sure that the parrot you get is healthy and doesn’t have any signs of illness.
If you do purchase a baby parrot that is just out of the nest, begin talking to him immediately. Even though he won’t be able to form words right away, he can start to learn to understand them, much like a human baby can understand words before being able to say them properly. Be sure to use a lot of rewards when training, though not always with food. If you teach your parrot the name of certain toys, you can reward him by giving him that toy. And as you are training your baby parrot to talk, it’s important to say things simply, clearly, and often.
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May 12
9
Australian Parrot Species
There are many different parrot species from across the globe, and several of those are native to Australia. These are somewhat common as pets, but many people may not know that these very different birds come from the same place.
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets have beautiful patterns of orange, white, red, green, blue, and yellow all over their bodies, making them quite a sight to see. Despite being beautiful, this bird is a pest to fruit farmers in parts of Australia and is actually hunted by them.
This has made some of the subspecies become endangered, though the species as a whole continues to thrive throughout the world. There are quite a few subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeet, but not all of them are recognized by all bird experts. 7 of the subspecies are not usually debated, but over a dozen others are constantly being debated as to which group they belong in.
This parrot reaches about 10 inches (27 centimeters) in length, and has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. They inhabit wooded areas, rainforests, and costal bush. Their diet consists of nectar, pollen, and fresh fruits. This species has no distinguishable traits between females and males, so DNA analysis must be done to determine the gender.
Major Mitchell Cockatoos
These birds are named for a man named Major Sir Thomas Mitchell that was quoted in his remarks on the originality and beauty of these birds. The Major Mitchell Cockatoo is mainly from the state of Victoria in Australia, but is found in other parts of the country as well. This type of Cockatoo is white and pink, and has a yellow band as well in their crests. The yellow band is a little wider in the females, and the females also have lighter-colored eyes than the males.
The Major Mitchell Cockatoo usually live around 40 years, but when properly cared for, can live for over 70 years. They are approximately 15 inches (40 centimeters) long, and are on the list of threatened and vulnerable species. These parrots are ground feeders that mainly eat seeds from cypress pines, melons, wattles, and saltbush. There are two subspecies of this main species.
Although both of these parrot species can still be found in the wild, we must be careful to preserve the wild populations of both the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Major Mitchell Cockatoo to be sure that they remain a part of Australia’s beautiful wildlife.
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Mar 12
30
A Closer Look At What Parrots Eat
The first misconception of most prospective parrot owners is that the bulk of a parrot’s diet should consist of seeds. In reality, relying on seeds alone will not do. It contains too much fat and not enough nutrients such as calcium, proteins and Vitamin A. Some birds may pick out their favorite types of seed from a mix and further compromise their nutritional intake. For most parrots, seeds should only make up 10 per cent of their food and even birds that are traditional seedeaters such as cockatiels and budgies should get no more than 25 per cent.
Vegetables are a necessary component of your parrot’s diet and they can be served fresh or cooked. Legumes such as beans, peas and lentils are also very nutritious. These can be germinated as sprouts to make a great source of greens for birds.
Most birds need little encouragement to snack on fruit. For this reason, you should include a wide variety, particularly of the types of tropical fruit that may occur in their natural environment. Berries, bananas, mangos, papaya, cherries, apricots, oranges, kiwi, nectarines, peaches, pineapples, pomegranates, pears, grapes, tangerines, grapefruit and apple are all nutritious choices. Just avoid giving them pips or apple seeds as these could be toxic to parrots.
There are certain types of food that should be avoided. Junk food, especially with a high salt or sugar content is a no-no, as is any drinks containing either caffeine or alcohol. Chocolate, avocado and rhubarb should also be avoided.
Since it is difficult and sometimes expensive to duplicate the wide variety a wild parrot feeds on, parrot pellets have been formulated specifically to supplement deficiencies in a captive parrot’s diet. Often, there is not enough calcium or protein. Parrots need the former for bone development and the latter for feather growth.
Unlike most types of parrots, lories and lorikeets feed mostly on soft fruit and floral nectar. Their tongues are equipped with brush tips to collect the pollen and their gut is adapted to digest it.
One website offers over 300 recipes specifically designed to delight your parrots. There are for instance various types of bread, all with heavy seed content. Some of the recipes include pellets or sunflower seed, but pecans, raisins or currants, beans or peanut butter also feature. Cookies or crunchy cookie bars are another option. In this category, you can expect to encounter ingredients such as oatmeal, oats and other breakfast cereal, apple and dried fruit. You can also create your own seed mixes or even germinate them to sprouts.
Mar 12
21
Hand Rearing A Baby Parrot
In the wild, only one baby parrot out of every two parrot chicks survives. One of the challenges of the bird breeder is to try to beat those odds and it is not easy.
One breeder estimates that the survival rate of his young settles at between 80 and 90 per cent. Using an incubator allows you to closely monitor the temperature at which chicks will hatch, and to manage their environment during those crucial first weeks.
The incubation of parrot eggs, which are uniformly white, ranges from 17 to 35 days. It is the larger species that usually have longer incubation periods.
The earliest feeds will need to be very frequent. Every two hours is recommended for new hatchlings. As they grow stronger, the intervals will slowly lengthen.
Various commercial brands of hand rearing formulas are available. These contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals a young hatchling will need to develop into a healthy parrot. To avoid bacteria forming, mix fresh hand feeding formula for each and every session.
To successfully hand feed your parrot chick, you will need to understand the working of the crop. As part of their adaptation to flight, birds metabolise their food intake at a super fast rate. As back up, the crop, which is nothing but a bag of skin, serves to store food reserves. It is surrounded by muscle and contracts to send these food reserves to the stomach opening when needed.
While you are feeding a chick, you should monitor the state of the crop to prevent it stretching. It should remain pliable and not feel taut or hard. You should also make sure that the crop empties out completely at least once during a twenty-four hour cycle.
The crop releases food from the top, meaning that the freshest portion is released first. If it does not empty, the food reserves at the bottom will spoil, causing a condition referred to as sour crop. This usually leads to an infection of Candida or other bacteria and a costly visit to the vet to have the crop flushed out.
In extreme cases the infection progresses to crop stasis. When that happens, the crop has lost the ability to empty and the poor baby parrot may starve and die.
The chick should be kept warm and its food should be warmed to around 104-105 degrees. If it is too cold, it may not easily move out of the crop to the stomach. If it is too warm (over 110 degrees), the chick may suffer crop burn. Most chicks do not survive crop burn and even if yours does, it may suffer infections later in life.
As the baby parrot begins to develop feather growth, the temperature of the chick’s environment should systematically be reduced until it is able to withstand normal room temperature.
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Mar 12
12
How Do You Teach A Bird To Talk
In general, parrots love exercising their vocal chords, but the true reward for most owners lies in coaxing them to utter a few recognizably human words. Not all parrots learn to talk, but there are ways to encourage them. Parrots that spend most of their time with either humans or other parrots that talk are more likely to acquire the habit themselves.
Some species are better talkers than others. Puck, a male budgerigar that died in 1994, still holds the record for the parrot with the greatest vocabulary. He was documented to have used up to 1,728 words.
While a parrot that talks and performs tricks may make an entertaining showpiece, the basis of training a parrot will lie in teaching it to obey commands. As with all animals, good behaviour should be rewarded with a food treat. If the parrot behaves badly, simply ignore it. Do not punish it. What it wants, is your attention and depriving it temporarily of that is a severe enough punishment. As the parrot learns, you should slowly switch the focus away from food. Verbal praise can also serve to motivate your parrot and reassure it of your approval, as can a session of playing with a favorite toy.
Training a parrot to perform tricks may require more patience than training a dog. Talking, however, is in their nature. Many parrot species bond closely with a chosen mate and stay in constant verbal contact with that partner. As pets, they often form the same type of bond with their owners, making the talking process seem natural and inevitable. Parrots do not have vocal chords, but the way their syrinx connects the windpipe to the lungs accommodates speech. Since hearing and sound modulation differences from that of humans they sometimes confuse the ‘a’ and ‘i’ vowels. Their natural inclination to mimic sounds from their environment is what gives them the capability of learning human speech. African Greys and Amazons are excellent talkers and some of the smaller breeds such as budgies are capable of surprising diversity of sounds. Macaws are not the greatest speakers and their voices tend to be croaky.
Before beginning a teaching session, eliminate all distractions such as television, radio or cell phones and also other family members. The first word or phrase should be spoken with some emotive quality. One of the reason parrots learn to curse so easily is because curse words are usually spoken with a lot of expression. ‘Good morning’ and ‘Who’s there?” make good starting phrases. Try something with two or three syllables. Some parrots find the slightly higher tones of women or children helpful. Teach the parrot by naming objects as you handle them. Teach them responses by rehearsing the answer phrases first and then letting them practice it in association with the question. Parrots learn by repetition. They are responsive to stroking and being scratched and praised. Another tactic would be to associate a favorite food treat exclusively with a teaching session.
A subject that draws considerable debate is the clipping of wings. As one bird enthusiast states, parrots were made to fly and would be happiest within a large aviary with several flock-mates. Certain aspects of a bird’s physique such as hollow bones and a quick-working digestive system are adaptations to accommodate the ability to fly. When unable to fly, their respiratory system is not utilized to capacity. Birds that are allowed to fly are more confident and independent. A bird that is unable to fly may become too vocal or resort to self-mutilation out of boredom and frustration.
Allowing a bird to fly does call for vigilance and responsibility on the side of the owner and various precautions will need to be taken to ensure your parrot’s space is safe. Windows and mirrors should be screened to avoid accidents, as a parrot may mistake them for openings and fly into them. If you own cats, they should not be in a position to threaten your birds. Make sure there is no standing water and close the toilet lid.
The safety factor weighs heaviest with those owners who do decide to clip. Colliding with a window pane can seriously injure your parrot and accidentally flying into a working ceiling fan is most likely to kill it. Stoves, cooking pots, light bulbs and sinks filled with water are other potential hazards to guard against. An unclipped bird will find it difficult to resist the temptation of an open door or window and may mistake a mirror for one.
If you do decide to clip, let an avian veterinarian or reputable breeder handle the task. A bad clipping can permanently damage feather follicles, but correct clipping should not permanently disable the bird. In the case of a new bird in a household of first time parrot owner, safety should come first. The first six feathers on each wing are the flight feathers, and these are the ones that need to be clipped. In a smaller bird, a few secondary feathers may need to be trimmed as well. By the time the bird moults and has had some time to bond with its owner, the situation can be evaluated.
Remember that even clipped birds will be able to fly to some degree. Being more reliant on walking, a clipped bird may get stepped on, if underfoot, or meet with hazards on the ground, such as power plugs. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what is best for the bird and the household it belongs to.
Feb 12
12
The Fun of Talking Parrots
At some point in time almost everyone has seen or heard talking parrots. There have been many circus acts, zoo programs, standup performances, television shows, movies, and other entertainment that has centered on the ability of a parrot to be able to talk. Some of the most famous talking parrots are African Greys. This particular species is not only able to form human words but is also able to mimic many sounds that are in its environment. Their intelligence is well documented and their abilities have been recorded for entertainment value and for scientific study.
If you spend any time on youtube.com you will find many instances of professional acts that have been on Animal Planet and other television channels showing acts of mimicry. Some of them are scripted so completely and the prompts are so seamless that it almost appears that the parrot is having a conversation with the handler. It was so striking that some scientists decided to study to see if they could determine whether a parrot is truly capable of conversation or if it is just able to mimic the things that is been told or shown to do through massive repetition.
The simple fact is many people will see an act with a talking parrot and on a whim decide they would like to own one. Even though their heart may be in the right place at the time it is not a decision that should be made in the blink of an eye. A person should thoroughly research the responsibilities that are involved with owning a parrot and caring for one for many years. There are recorded instances where parrots actually have outlived their owners and were part of their owner’s estate to be cared for after the owner passed away.
Parrots have been regarded for their intelligence and for their ability to talk and mimic and have been chosen companions for people for hundreds of years. But even as modern sounds come into their world they are amazingly still able to duplicate those sounds such as the sounds of electronic equipment, buzzers, telephone ring tones, construction noises such as hammering, and other sounds too numerous to list. So at what point do we decide that parrots are actually attempting to communicate with all of the beings in their environment whether they happen to be alive or not.
We may never know if talking parrots are really talking to us but one thing is for certain they are a comfort to many people and a lifetime companion that can be a part of a family for more than one generation.
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Jan 12
29
Teaching Talking Parrots
Having talking parrots can be a lot of fun, but it takes a lot of work to get a parrot to that point. All you need to train a parrot to talk is a parrot that is willing and able to learn how to talk, a quiet place, treats, and lots of patience.
There are several different types of parrots that can learn how to talk. The African Grey is the most popular, and is considered the most intelligent and able to pick up words. Macaws can also learn to talk, and are well-liked for their vibrant colors. The Cockatoo is not as talkative as the African Grey, but can still pick up some words with a lot of work. With a lot of patience and training, there have even been some Cockatiels that will eventually pick up a word or two.
When you begin training your bird, go to a place that is quiet and free from distractions. Birds love picking up different sounds, so if you do not remove distractions, he may start barking like the neighbor’s dog rather than learn to say “pretty bird.” Once you have him in that quiet place, you can begin to teach him words, phrases, tunes, or tricks. When teaching words, be sure to annunciate well and say the word or phrase you want to teach alone.
Once he starts trying to say the word, you can give him a reward. At the beginning, you can reward him just for trying, but as he learns more and more, you can begin to reward only for a correct word. It’s up to you to judge when he needs the encouragement, or when he’s just trying to get you to give him a treat. The best type of treat to give is something small like a seed that your parrot likes. You can also have bits of fruit prepared in advance. This positive reinforcement is one of the most important parts of training your parrot to talk.
Be prepared to be extremely patient with your parrot. The best time to begin training is when your parrot is just two months old. Although they will not begin to speak until closer to four months, this time is good for your parrot to start understanding words and associating learning to speak with positive things. Every session should be a positive experience for both you and your parrot. If you or your parrot starts to get frustrated, take a break and come back to it later, as he won’t join the ranks of talking parrots if he becomes too angry to learn.
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Jan 12
15
Famous Talking Parrots
Most parrots are able to talk, but there are some that are more famous talking parrots, because of their incredibly large vocabulary. This is due to a lot of training and numerous hours put in by their trainers. Both of these birds are African Greys, which are known to be the best at being able to learn human speech.
One of these famous birds was Alex. He was a part of a scientific research study that worked to prove the intelligence of parrots and be able to have two-way communication with them. His main trainer was Irene Pepperburg. His vocabulary was over 150 words. In addition to being able to say so many words, he also had an understanding of some more abstract concepts, and was able to use size comparisons, identify colors and substances, and he could even count up to 6.
Pepperburg developed a unique style of training for Alex, which is known as the Model Rival Technique. Rather than simply repeating words or phrases to get the parrot to repeat them, this technique forces the parrot to actually learn the proper response to questions. The parrot is put up against a rival, who is there to compete for the attention of the main trainer. This rival is also the model for the parrot, giving and getting rewarded for correct answers. Parrots are naturally jealous of other people who are getting attention from their trainer, so they work hard to get the answers right and win back their trainer’s attention.
Another talking parrot that’s famous is Einstein. She became famous because of being featured on Animal Planet, as well as other television shows. She had a vocabulary of over 100 words, and was excellent at making various sound effects as well. His trainer, Stephanie White, worked with her for many hours to teach her to do so many things. Einstein was so well-trained that she could even yawn and dance on command. In addition to being on television, Einstein also got to go visit many schools, and help to educate children on parrots.
Perhaps you are considering owning an African Grey so that they will know many words and become famous. Before you do so, you need to realize that these parrots are so well-spoken because of the hours of work put into teaching them. Alex, for example, had people working with him for 8 to 12 hours every day to accomplish such a vocabulary. So, if you do want talking parrots, you have to be prepared to put in a lot of work like these famous ones.
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There are many parrot species today that people keep as pets. Some people think that all parrots are basically the same, but the truth is, every species is very different, and has different levels of attention that must be given. It is important to know how demanding your parrot will be before you bring one into your home.
One of the easiest types of parrot to keep is the cockatiel. They are hardy birds that live around 15 to 20 years. Many people get cockatiels as first pets because they are low maintenance, and are generally very gentle and friendly birds. They can come in a large variety of colors, and can sometimes be taught to speak. They are also a small-sized parrot, which makes them easy to handle.
Another small species of parrot is the conure. The conure is known for being very brightly colored and having long tails. They are also extremely playful and highly intelligent. But because of that, they can become very destructive if they do not get proper socialization on a daily basis. That means that you will have to commit to spending several hours every day with your conure, if you are considering this species. However, if they get that attention, they can learn to say different words and to do tricks.
Even more intelligent than the conure is the African grey. They are considered to be the most intelligent parrot. Being primarily grey, though sometimes having a red tail or wings, they aren’t as visually stimulating as the conure, but they are usually able to learn several hundred words if they get the attention that they need. This species is medium-sized and can live from 40 to 60 years, which means there is a lot of care and commitment with the African grey.
The Cockatoo is one of the larger species of parrots, and are usually white with a yellow or reddish crown of feathers on the top of their heads. They are also intelligent and can learn many words, but tend to be rather aggressive, sometimes to the point of biting. Because of that, they do not make good first-time pets. However, if you do look hard, you can find a cockatoo that is calmer and does not get so aggressive.
With all the different parrot species available, you’re sure to find one that will fit your lifestyle.
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