Training to Talk

[Luthien]

Ok guys, I have a 1 year old Scarlet Macaw. I know he should be at least trying to mimic words by now but he's not even trying. Does anyone have any ideas of how to get him to talk? I repeat words over and over and over with him but he's just not interested. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!

[Honesty]

Have you tried making a cd of you talking? I made one for Codie to put on while I am out. I have repeated each word or phrase 3 times on the cd. I leave it on repeat while I am out. Codie has learnt many words by this method. It is also a comfort too him in hearing my voice while I am out :D

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[Pinkbirdy]

I think hes to young yet .Mine could say hello and Harlow for the longest time.Things really started happening at the 2 year mark. Don't give up yet.

[spiritbird]

While I do not have a Macaw I have had several birds that talked. I truly think they just pick up words and sounds from the home naturally without using repetitive speech patterns. Important to remember not all parrots learn to talk. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Blancaej]

I agree, although most birds can learn to talk right away (except greys usually don't start for a year) I don't think they have a big vocabulary at first. I am sure in time she will say more. Savannah is not a big talker, probably says less then 10 things. But she wasn't in the best social environment in her previous home. She is a closet talker, too. When no one is around (in the room with her) she does lots of jibber jabber. I can't always make out everything she says. But she does talk and I try to praise her when she does so it encourages more talking. The cd idea is great way to go as well. I may try that with Savannah!

[spiritbird]

I would love to hear your bird talk Blanca. Macaws must be so much fun to have in your life.

[Blancaej]

One of these days I will try to record Savannah. It's hard to catch her talking on video. I love having Savannah in my life. She is such a joy and so easy going.

Quincy on the other hand is a great talker. I hope to get more videos of him talking away! :)

[Luthien]

Thanks for all the replies guys! In June he will be 2 years old now and he's starting to mimic my vocal tones in his squawking :) It's so cute!

[Honesty]

You will have to try and get a video of him :)

[Luthien]

Lol I'm trying but he seems to be video shy, although he loves his picture being taken. He poses for the camera

[Honesty]

I have been having the same trouble with Codie. In the end, I kept the video camera out all the time so he got used to seeing it there. I actually managed to get a video of him talking for the first time a couple of weeks ago :) This made me so happy :)

It is in the Amazon section, titled "Codie asking to come out".

[Turquoise]

Luthian I think Phoenix is just going to learn at his own pace. I know my two Catalina boys knew a few words already before they came home from the breeder and they didn't stop once they settled in. Ruby Jewel, my Green Wing has moved into talking much slower. She is just now at a little over 1 1/2 yrs old starting to use familiar words she has learned in her interaction with me. She talks quite well, it just took her much longer to decide to use what she had been learning and hearing.

I too believe like Dianne that just talking to them as you go about daily chores is the best way for them to learn. All of mine that talk have picked up way more things from listening to me not talking to them directly that when I try to teach them something special. Except Miss Leyla Belle, now she loves phrases and I do repeat them to her often so she can get it all down. She gets lazy if I don't keep it up with the repeats and shortens the phrases with a roll on version all jumbled up together toward the end. LOL

[kendrafitz]

I wonder if macaws are slower in learning to talk?

Rosie just turned two. She had a few words down but like Phoenix she has been way more interested in tones. I usually got what she was saying just from her inflection.

Lately she is interested in getting words, which is fun. :) However, just like a toddler, she will repeat the word until I say the correct word back to her. Sometimes frustrating for her if I don't get it. Fortunately, like a toddler, I can distract her if I am just not getting it. ;)

[BeakFace]

Ok guys, I have a 1 year old Scarlet Macaw. I know he should be at least trying to mimic words by now but he's not even trying. Does anyone have any ideas of how to get him to talk? I repeat words over and over and over with him but he's just not interested. Any suggestions would be great!


Thanks!


Eye contact and repeat. All my birds talk. My Palm Is Doing Great And They Are Not Know For talking. I say to him I Love you very slow and he starts by opening his beak and repeats ever so slow. Not clear at first but within days or weeks crystal clear, not clear like human but clear. I hold him close to me and the eye contact is incredible. He trys very hard. Make short sessions. Now the other birds pick up words easier without being in my face. My Queen really picks up things much easier. My Rose Breasted Cockatoo only says a few words and it's like his needle is stuck. If he wants anything he will say hello until you respond or pull your hair out. In the am it's feed me, later a snack, maybe a nut.

[Luthien]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I will defiantly keep working on him and repeating things