Parrots are exotic and entertaining pets. They look unusual; have beautiful coloring and, best of all, you can teach them to talk. Thats right, its true many people think that talking parrots are merely an urban myth but with a bit of perseverance and regular practice for a few months it is possible to teach your parrot a few phrases. Its a great party trick and can keep people amused for hours.
It is a common misconception that parrots actually learn to talk. In reality, they have no idea what they are saying; they are simply mimicking the noises they hear regularly. In the wild, parrots learn to mimic the noises they hear their parents making while they are chicks. This is a bonding process and repeating the familiar noises to each other keeps the family bonds strong. The same principal applies to parrots in captivity. They have a long life span and like to be surrounded by company. As their owners become more like family, they will be more likely to imitate them.
If you have a parrot and want to teach it how to talk, it is best to start when they are younger. This is when they would start imitating their parents in the wild and, although they might not be able to pick up actual words yet, they will be able to copy sounds and tunes. Teaching a parrot to talk is a form of training. Just as you would give a dog a treat every time he sat down when you asked him to, it is important to associate the words you are teaching your parrot with things it likes. The fastest way to teach it sounds is to repeat them again and again when your parrot is eating and playing.
The sound of your voice will also make a significant impact on your parrot. Womens voices are higher and therefore easier for the bird to recognize but it is important to sound excited when saying the words you want your parrot to repeat. Just as if you were teaching a child, start with simple one and two syllable words and over pronounce every part. In the beginning, your parrot will only be able to learn one word at a time so dont try and teach him a second word before he has mastered the first otherwise you might confuse him.
Like children, parrots also have to be in the right frame of mind to learn. You will not be able to control this but sounding excited and engaging will help. You will know when your parrot is ready to learn, as his behaviour will chance. Usually, he will stare at you and you may see his pupils contract or dilate as you whistle at him. If your parrot doesnt seem interested then he is either just not in the mood to learn or you may need to get creative and find another way to get his attention.
Parrots are pets for life some can live as long as 70 years. In the right environment, it should be possible to build up an impressive vocabulary during that time!
