2006-08-21 07:53:43 · 18 answers · asked by cArToOns 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
We have a timneh and a congo grey.
Our congo (silver-grey with a red tail) only learned how to talk last December, and already we've filled up the front and back of a notebook page with things that he says. If you want your bird to speak in context, you have to train it all the time: tell it what you're doing, in a few simple words, or what you're eating, or holding. He speaks around 200 words now, and he's 2.
Our timneh grey (darker, w/ burgundy tail feathers and a white upper mandible) speaks just a few words, but he's very smart, and he dances and invents his own songs; he can imitate any household sound. Sometimes we think the fire alarm is going off or people are knocking at the door, and it's just him. He laughs when he tricks us into opening the door when nobody is behind it.
They're really diverse little guys.
PS: this is the name of the world record holding Grey, whose vocabulary was around 800 words: Prudle. If you look it up, you'll find out a lot more about the way they learn than we can describe. Also, check out The Alex Foundation: http://www.alexfoundation.org/
2006-08-21 12:07:23 · answer #1 · answered by Em 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the bird, and other factors such as age, the way it was handled, and personality. The African Grey was rated by Bird Talk magazine as the best talker of all parrots. African Greys are also highly intelligent. Most do talk, and have very prolific vocabularies, although it may take years to achieve. For the most part, Greys will talk, and also imitate sounds; ringing phones, microwaves,doorbells,etc. But a person shouldn't get a bird just because of it's ability to talk, because you could be disappointed in the long run. There is no guarantee that any bird will talk, and birds should be wanted because you want to make them a long-term family member, that is well loved and cared for.
2006-08-21 15:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by geri s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will a whole lot IF you spend the time with them that they require. You should always leave the t.v. on for them when you leave the house but leave in on channels that don't have a lot of stimulation. The weather channel is a good one. The best thing you can do for your bird is to make a few recorded tapes of the Teletubbies. They repeat themselves on that show and a lot and greys have the verbal skills of a 3 yr. old child. It takes a lot of effort to get your bird to talk like Einstein. If anyone out there needs info about your african grey send an e-mail to merrilypop@hotmail.com and put bird in the subject line. This lady will give you the best advice you can get about anything having to do with African Greys.
p.s. never turn the t.v. off in front of your bird. He/she can make the exact same sound that turns off the t.v. by remote. When you're trying to watch something and they want your attention, they will cut your t.v. off.
2006-08-21 15:09:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grey's are the most intelligent of all animals. This has been proven time and time again. If you spend the time they will actually learn, not just repeat, parts of the language. They are about as smart as a 4 year old child. But if you ignore them they will squawk and demand attention. They like to hang out with you and will repeat many things, like the telephone ring and an alarm clock. But they are affectionate and excellent companions if you are into birds as a pet. Remember they live up to 60 years!
2006-08-21 16:55:29 · answer #4 · answered by michael g 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my congo african grey is 5 yrs old and has a vocabulary of over 100 words. He speaks in complete sentences and knows what he is saying! He can also count to 4. He will screw that up and then give a wicked sounding laugh. He knows all the other pets in the homes names and knows who is who. When our conure screams he will say Romeo. shut up! He whistles for the puppy. He was talking when we brought him home at about 8 months of age. We do not have to repeat a word, if he likes the sound of it, he will start saying it after just hearing it once. You really have to watch what you say around him! They are very intellegient.
2006-08-21 20:34:48 · answer #5 · answered by rockyp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ussually african greys do talk but everyone is different and if you try to teach it to talk....like keep syig the same words that you want him to say over and over. some never speak one word and others have a large vocabulary...the highest number of words spokebn by an african grey is 173.
2006-08-21 15:19:49 · answer #6 · answered by chel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read and heard that they're the most intelligent parrot and if you work with them they can amaze you with their talking and intelligence.
Look up "Pepper Schwartz and Alex" on the internet - this is a woman who's been studying parrot intelligence for years and her parrot is amazing - he doesn't just mimic, but holds conversations, initiates speech, answers questions, and lies like a rug.
I envy you - I'd love to have an African gray but my lifestyle wouldn't allow me to have the time to spend with it.
Good luck!
2006-08-25 15:03:35 · answer #7 · answered by Nightlight 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, they are the best talking parrots on earth. my 8 year old grey knows several hundred words and speaks in complete sentences all the time
2006-08-21 20:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ours didn't, but then, we never put a whole lot of effort into teaching him anything. All he ever did was telephone ring and normal bird sounds, but he did a LOT of that! hardly ever shut up. So I would assume that if you put time into training your bird, he would "talk" a lot.
2006-08-21 15:04:32 · answer #9 · answered by pessimoptimist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my gray talks all the time as they get older they will start to put words together to make sentences and tell you what they want
my grey will ask for food or water.
2006-08-21 18:14:54 · answer #10 · answered by taz39taz2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋