Teaching your parrot to talk

Do you want a talking parrot?

No doubt about it, birds have a lot to say. They squawk, peep, cheep, screech, warble and whistle – and some species even talk. One of the biggest draws of companion avians is their ability to mimic human speech. If you've got time and patience (and a bird with capability and interest in learning) you just may have a chatterbox on your hands.

Which species have what it takes to talk? The best talkers of the larger parrots are African greys and Amazons. Macaws, cockatoos and eclectus parrots are very capable, too, and medium-sized talkers include cockatiels, conures and chattering lories. The award for the most talented small talking bird goes to the common budgie, and some notable members of this species boast hundred-word vocabularies.

In general, younger birds are more likely to talk than older individuals, and males are more willing students who tend to learn faster than females. Avians in pairs will be quite content to chat in bird-talk with each other, so it's smart to keep a single bird if you have dreams of a talking companion. But even if you have a young male of a species biologicallly capable of mimicry, we still can't offer any guarantees. Some birds talk, some don't. It ultimately depends on the individual.

Steps for teaching a parrot to talk

As your bird's teacher, you'll need to be patient and consistent. To prepare for class, remove toys and other distractions from the cage and make sure the room is quiet – no TV or radio, other people or pets. It's a good idea to hold sessions at the same time every day, ideally when your bird's most relaxed and receptive. Two sessions a day would be preferable, if you have the time.

Start off with a simple word or two-word phrase. "Hello there" and "Pretty bird" are always good choices. Say the words slowly and clearly, allow a pause for them to sink in, and repeat. And repeat! Sessions should last about 10-15 minutes, but if your bird seems stressed or agitated at any point, cut it short and try again later. You can also say the word or phrase throughout the day, in greeting when you enter the room. Remember to be patient with your bird – it can take six months or more before he speaks his first phrase. Then it's time to pour on the praise!

Once a bird starts talking, he'll begin to develop his learning capacity and new words will come faster. To facilitate training, some owners record tapes of themselves repeating a new phrase to play back to the bird. This can help, but in-person lessons always work better.

Don't be surprised if your bird does some extra-curricular work and begins mimicking sounds and phrases on his own. Many a parrot parent has been fooled by their pet's imitation of a ringing telephone, the songs of backyard birds or the neighbor's barking dog. Some birds may chose to focus their skills on copying sounds such as these, and may never utter a word.

Praise your talking parrot

Whether you've got a talker, a whistler or a first-class impressionist, remember that your bird's an individual with his own special talents. Always praise him when he shows them off – we'll bet he'll love to bask in the spotlight!