Talking or not.....does it matter to you.

[Dragonlady2]

I have a number of birds. Most say something, some say a lot, but the ones that don't say much have such a different way of communicating. I watch their facial expression more and their eyes. The eyes say so much more. So in answer to my own question talking is great, but there is something to be said about the silent ones.
How does your parrot communicate with you?

[kendrafitz]

What a great topic!

Rosie uses both verbal and non verbal communication.

I actually prefer her body language to speaking. What she conveys with her actions is much sweeter. More empathy and love is communicated that way, at least with us. Speaking is neat, but has its drawbacks. Much like a toddler, you think it be will be great when they talk...until they do. Lol. Speaking gives her the ability to demand what she wants and she expects her demands to be met RIGHT NOW. ; )

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Dragonlady2]

Yes Kendra, I have my Joey whom I love dearly, but I am constantly apologizing for his potty mouth. And it's usually directed at me. We had the plumbers come in and he told them to "eat s**t" and "f**k it" along with meowing and various other sayings. They just thought he was wonderful! I forgot to add...my adult sons had a hand in encouraging his flowery language, I certainly did not teach him. The problem is everyone laughs when he says it so it encourages him even more. He is the only one that has the potty mouth.

Rosie is such a big bird, I imagine her voice is pretty loud.

[PlaxMacaws]

Salsa is my only prolific talker. Zaffer used to talk quite a bit but seldom says anything since his broken leg incident at the end of 2013. He was significantly traumatized by the veterinary procedures. Jack says "hello" (kind of) and Maynard only screams. Each of them is so unique and I love them all! While I miss Zaf's speaking of words, it's still fine with me if he never says much again. He's been through a lot and I adore him under any circumstances! Salsa is an incredible nut and talks enough for all 4 of them :D

I agree that the non-talkers have very effective ways of communicating their thoughts, their wants, and their moods :)

[kendrafitz]

OMG, Helena that is so funny. Are you Joeys chosen person? It would be hard not to laugh, I feel for you there.

Rosie's screams are loud. Her volume with speaking depends. Sometimes its softer and sweet and other times its excited and yelling. ; )

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Dragonlady2]

Unfortunately Kendra, I am Joeys chosen one. He and I can have the cutest conversations, then something will upset him and away he goes. He was given to me as the breeder couldn't sell he and his brother. He almost died due to some bad handfeeding formula but right now he is a pistol for sure.

I went into the caged area of the breeder's macaws and my god...the noise was deafening! One would do it for me however the constant chatter/noise of the smaller birds can be a little much too.

My husband tells all his friends about Joey and they will wait outside the window to see if he will swear while they are listening. I should charge money...lol

[Dragonlady2]

As much as I love Joeys' chatter, there are times when I wish he wasn't quite so noisy. I find that he shuts the others down....there is no airspace left for them. Tony, do you find that, with Salsa. Would the others vocalize more if Salsa was quieter?

[PlaxMacaws]

Tony, do you find that, with Salsa. Would the others vocalize more if Salsa was quieter?I'm not sure. If anything, Zaf might. I doubt that Jack would. And I'm sure that Maynard wouldn't, since he has never been inclined to talk. Jack and Maynard are wild caught macaws.

[Mare]

Talking around here, is always noticed and appreciated. From what I've learned from my cockatoo family, their feathers say it all. The crest is a sort of barometer in determining attitude :). Amigo was my best barometer..I won't cry,, I won't cry.

I always know what Sassy and the 'tiels are feeling/thinking by watching body language and the lay of their feathers.

Oh! The eye thing! Having cockatoos I've not experienced that dilating evil eye thing!!

[Dragonlady2]

Even with a cockatoo's eyes, it's like liquid black. And it seems to shift or ebb and flow. My Oliver (Alexandrine) although he doesn't say much, the intentness of his stare is mesmerizing. I can talk to him and he watches my eyes and mouth and tilts his head slightly. Each of them have their ways/quirks....it's what makes them special.

[PlaxMacaws]

The eyes of Hys are the same, deep black marbles. I can see Zaf's pupils if the sun hits just right, but they then quickly vanish. He does those famous Hy head tilts to better express himself to me... I can tell what he's thinking and wants without much trouble.

[Mare]

So, Zaffer's eyes aren't like most macaw's eyes?! That is good knowledge for me to know, thanks! The googly eye birds have me baffled. I'm sure they are all well equipped to be sound, in the home birds but..

[kendrafitz]

Talking around here, is always noticed and appreciated. From what I've learned from my cockatoo family, their feathers say it all. The crest is a sort of barometer in determining attitude :). Amigo was my best barometer..I won't cry,, I won't cry.

I always know what Sassy and the 'tiels are feeling/thinking by watching body language and the lay of their feathers.

Oh! The eye thing! Having cockatoos I've not experienced that dilating evil eye thing!!
Silly Mare, it's not an evil eye thing!! ;)

When Rosie's eyes dilate that's how I know she is interested in something. It's an awesome visual cue. One of the things I find coolest about her.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Dragonlady2]

I agree with Kendra...my Sennie is a biter and his eyes are a dead giveaway when he is inviting me to his chompfest...lol.

[Lady]

Chompfest, LOL, sounds like a title for wrestling match.

I agree, I have learned to try not to react until I read her body language or it could cost me a nip or worse, unless of course it is an emergency and she needs help. I'll take all the chomping she has to help her.


Sometimes Lady just sits so quiet, listening and looking at what's going on around her, then I start watching her and wondering what she thinking and learning about her surroundings, then she notices I'm looking at her and she will break that quiet moment with a screech as if to say I see you looking at me... come closer and entertain me you don't look so busy yourself.

[Dragonlady2]

My Sennie gives me what I call the Winky-wink which is the precursor to the bite. He tilts his head ever so slightly and slowly closes his eye....looks like he is asking for a scratch....but no, he just wants my finger within biting distance!

[Albert]

At 1 year, Salty is talking a lot. Name, hi, hello, good buy, pretty boy, how ya doing, lots of other thing. He also sings with me and imitates the dog, cries, and so much else. But he communicates with his amazon voice. He has also learned a dozen or more tricks, search on YouTube for salty workout. I think you will be surprised.


[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Dragonlady2]

Oh my goodness, he is adorable. Salty is doing pretty well in the training department, he sure knows what he has to do to earn his treats. Thanks for sharing.

[Lady]

That's great Albert
I will search you tube this week to see how much you have accomplished with him. When you say his Amazon voice, I'm thinking you mean with his natural sounds that he makes, is that right? Does he have a special amazon voice that he uses when he calls for you?

[luckyandjenn]

My lucky does not say much i kinda wish he did but im happy he seems to be very chatty and i think hes trying to learn the few words he does say is what i belive to be my dogs name copper he loves to wisper and its super creepy how human it sounds he says night night lucky and hi he seems to be a super sweet and funny guy im going to start on training this week

[Lady]

I got to see Salty's workout, what a cleaver bird Salty is. You've done a wonderful job teaching Salty so many cool tricks. I know it's not just the trick that is cool, but the bond you have made while making the trick work!

[bill-e]

My OWA of 40 years didn't say anything. She meowed and rang like an old phone but that was it. She disliked my wife and the feeling was mutual but I cant help but think that if she talked my wife may have warmed up to her more, though Berta never would.

Nike talks when she's excited, doesn't say a lot but enough to get visitors to laugh, which causes her to laugh...and so on like a self licking ice cream cone. SHe is also pretty good at on the spot mimicing of simple sounds...I enjoy doing that with her too.

Personally I like a bird to talk and I especially like when Nike talks in her own language, especially when it sounds like it's "under her breath"'. It's pretty repeatable and associated with her current state of mind so I think it may be the beginning of new words.

[Dragonlady2]

Yes, every bird has their own way of communicating. I do find that people expect a bird to talk all on their own. As much as birds depend on repetition to learn, so do we have a duty to respond in kind. Whatever they say to me or whatever noise they make (unless it is screaming), I will repeat back and then throw in a few phrases of my own. Sometimes it sounds like a kindergarten class in the house.

[lolsavannahh]

I'm a little late to the convo because I was on vacation.. but yes I believe birds talk in many ways!
Nash, for example, talks with his beak! LOL he bites when hes unhappy, and when he's angry.. Dory talks with her noises, I could tell what she wanted by what call she used.. I think it is really cool that you can understand them even if they don't speak english... better than dogs! :P