Parrot or bird owners - what are your experiences with....?

Question

teaching your bird to talk? What did you try and what actually works? Is it worth it - or should I just let the bird be a bird and not worry about her talking?

I have a Sun Conure - she is 5 yrs old.....Is she too old to learn?

Answer 1

I don't know if 5 years is too old to start talking for the first time but I would guess it might be. I have a male sun conure and he will be 2 this november. He started saying "hello sunny" his name when he was 6 months. I think I was the only one who could understand him but after a little while everyone could tell what he was saying. I just always said Hello Sunny every time I seen him. He now says Moma come here, Hello Sunny, Morning Sunny, Nite Nite Sunny. Yes he loves his name and uses it a lot. He grumbles thank you when you I give him something he likes. He as well knows when to use each too. In the morning when I uncover his cage or before you will hear him saying morning sunny and when I cover him at night he always says nite nite sunny. I have been trying to get him to say "I want one" to get a sugar free marshmellow and to tell me moma's home when she drives up. But so far he just gets excited but won't say it.

Take your time and make sure something is happening when you say the words you want him to learn. He will use them when he hears or sees it happening.

Sorry I meant she in your case being you said yours was a female.

Answer 2

If you never have had a bird do not race into something large and the more cuddly they are the more attention they require. Go for a cockatiel my wife and I have had these for yrs and they love to sit on your shoulder and the boys are great talkers and love to whistle. When you are more aware of birds and how much attention they do require maybe look look at a small cockatoo like a goffin or a sulphur crested. I say small because for one the larger ones need a huge cage that will set you back 300-1000 dollars and they need almost constant attention like atleast 2-4hrs everyday. Amazons and African Greys they are awesome birds but really if you have never had a bird then stay away from these until you are more educated raising a bird since these birds will cost you from 1200-2500 dollars and can literally take your finger off if your not careful.

Answer 3

Suns are not big talkers but more the cover-girls of the bird world. It is not to late, it never is, but some just don't digg it. If you say , " Good morning Sweetheart !" every morning and What ya doin', during the day, and Goodnight sleep tight" usually they learn this easy because it happens EVERYDAY at certain times. And then begin to listen closer to words. My 22 year old Macaw said nothing when we got her. Learned those phrases in a few months of being with us, and has picked up some not so primetime language as well within the first year. Now She calls us by name. Never give up on them.

Answer 4

1. Don't teach it to whistle first. It decreases the chances of it being able to talk later.

2. Conures can be adequate talkers, my advice:

Buy a tape/CD that repeats phrases.

or

Use a computer and record a few easy phrases. Then put on repeat and leave the bird near the speakers.

Then

Leave so you don't go insane.

You'll bird will be talking in no time and you'll wish you never had taught him bad words to begin with.

Good Luck

Answer 5

The best way to teach your bird to talk is by repeating that same word over and over. Same goes to whistling a song. I'm not familiar with a Sun Conure, but I had a male grey cocktiel. It took time and patience, but he sings the song I taught him or he'll repeat his name. I see him whenever I visit my parents during the holidays. Now that he mated with a female partner his 2 sons repeats his name and sings the song I taught their father.

Answer 6

A bird can learn to talk at any time, if she wants to. If you talk to her, she'll love it anyway, whether or not she's willing to learn to. You sound like a great bird mommy.

To teach her without stressing her out, you can get her into the conversation by giving her words for what she sees. Announce what you're doing while you're doing it. You can try toys like the "wordy birdy" and videos, and leave her a tv or radio to listen to during the day, but if you want her to learn what the words mean, she'll have to see them in action.

Conures never really have the clearest voices but they sure love to try to make you learn their language. My Hahns talks like an elf, or a teletubby.

Answer 7

Maybe...they have to be receptive..I had a cockatiel that I taught to whistle "Take me out to the Ballgame".
It took 20 minutes a day for 8 months.
Man am I tired if that song.
My friend has a African Grey parrot that you can hold a conversation with...in fact on time it flew away and two weeks later a neighbor called and asked "how did you teach this bird his name and phone number"

Answer 8

I rescued a sun conure named "Sunny". She/he has the sweetest voice and is still learning new words, although she is not a young bird..."I love you" is one of her favorite phrases. Birds can always keep learning...but don't bore them with words that are repeated too much. 3 times a session with several sessions a day is good. More might bore them. Good luck!

Answer 9

if you have female sun conure she may "not" talk. had three year old sun conure ( attack bird) that made alot of noise, was good bird though, but never said a word. she was very cuddly and would sleep on my neck, pick my teeth and drink my coffee in a minute, but never said a word. she was a great bird, would have another in a minute....her name was clucky....

Answer 10

say the same thing every day.
I heard you should cover there cage but I dont know if that works. Say a word and give a treat. SOme birds are more cooperative than others.