How to Train a Parrot to Talk

Birds can be wonderful companions. Large birds are much like other pets in the home and will love, snuggle and cuddle with you. They will also want to please you, and can learn a variety of tricks. Parrots can learn over 100 words if properly trained. A good training plan involves patience, love, praise and time. Once trained, your parrot will use his new vocabulary constantly, so it is also a good idea to be careful in what you train him to say.

Things You'll Need

• Parrot
• Treats

Instructions

1. Begin at birth. Birds that are young when they enter their permanent homes have an easier time learning to speak. They grow comfortable with humans and learn to trust them.

2. Train with your bird 30 minutes each day. It will be easier on the bird if you break it into two 15-minute sessions. Begin with short and simple phrases. Spend this time repeating phrases to your bird, and rewarding him with pets or treats when he squawks back. Good starter phrases are pretty bird, good bird and good morning.

3. Stick with the same phrase. Do not try to teach your bird too many words at once. Repeat the same phrase at each training session until he learns it.

4. Teach your bird a song. Birds whistle and sing naturally. If you are having trouble teaching him to speak, start with a song. Continue with the daily training sessions, but repeatedly whistle a tune instead of speaking. Praise him when he reacts.

5. Reward him with play. Do not make every play session a training session. Your bird wants to love and play with you. He will enjoy your praise when he learns something new, but if you overdo it, he will become bored. This will hinder the training.

Tips & Warnings

• If you train for too long, the bird may become bored. To enhance training, take the bird out of its cage. Teach your bird to whistle a tune.

• Too many words at once will confuse your bird and slow his progress. Avoid using CDs, your parrot will learn best from time with you.

Resources

• All about parrots