How to Teach an African Grey to Talk

African Grey parrots are considered by most experts as one of the more intelligent parrots. Not only is their ability to mimic absolutely amazing, but there have been studies that demonstrate that these parrots can correctly use the words that they mimic within the context of the situation. For example, when shown an apple, the African Grey would say, “apple.” These birds are capable of remarkable vocabularies and with patience can learn many words, sounds, and even phrases.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An African Grey Parrot
• Patience

How to Teach an African Grey Parrot to Talk

1. Depending on your situation, whether or not, you have a young parrot that you purchased or bred, or have taken on another’s parrot for any number of reasons, it is important to bond with parrot first and foremost. With young parrots, you must also realize that they do not start talking until they are at least a year old and in some cases two years old. They may mimic noises but it is rare to witness a young parrot speaking before a certain age, much like humans do not speak until certain brain functions have developed. The bonding is important because African Grey’s are prey animals, meaning they are food for predators, and as such, have trust issues because they are hardwired into thinking that they can be a meal for something if they are not careful. Their mimicry is actually a defense mechanism that if utilized correctly, gives predators the idea that they are not who they may appear to be. Even predators adhere in most cases to “if it quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.” So, if it roars like a lion, it is probably a lion, even if it is an African Grey. The importance of the bonding centers on the flock mentality of birds. They may not differentiate you as “not a bird” and in a flock there is always an Alpha bird. African Grey Parrots have a tendency to mimic who they perceive is the Alpha bird or the member of the flock who is in charge.

2. Whether or not you are the Alpha bird in the household or not, African Grey Parrots will mimic whatever they feel like mimicking. However, in more cases than not, the Alpha bird’s vocabulary is most extensively drawn from by the parrot. Do not expect the parrot to necessarily start saying a word or phase after a half a dozen times. Sometimes constant bombardment for months is what is necessary to get the desired effect. Besides repetition, food is one way to teach any animal how to do most things that animals are capable of doing. This positive reinforcement motivates the animal to continue the behavior that leads to the reward. Also, if you say “apple” every time you give your parrot an apple, not before long, he or she will say “apple” as well.

3. Clear speech, uncomplicated words, and succinct phrases are factors in what will be mimicked by your African Grey. However, you will be surprised with what they pick up on and do not pick up on. Many hours of training and unbelievable patience is necessary to get desired results versus random speaking.

Tips & Warnings

• Spending a lot of time with your African Grey will get the best results. You do not necessarily have to constantly focus on training in order to get him or her to speak. Just paying attention to them in any situation and speaking to them is often enough to get them to talk. They are very intelligent, so if you are willing to place time into them, you will be happy with what can be accomplished.
• Not many people realize that parrots are not very domesticated and in fact, many of their parent or grandparents, may have been wild birds captured and smuggled into the country. This reality is that even if they are six or seventh generation, they are not far removed from their wild animal mentality. Therefore, depending on the individual parrot, results may vary tremendously.

[agraynameddusty]

on 5/16/2009 My gray somtimes gag and act like there is somthing in his throat, should I worry about this? someone please help if u can I'm a first time gray owner.