I Need Info about [African Grey Parrot]?

Question

I have a parrot and i adore her,but I just wanna make sure that i have all the info i need about her (somthing new).

How can i teach my bird 2 talk?
the only thing he says is "meow"..
lol

Answer 1

The above answer from Ethan is perfect.

I used to have an African Gray. She was a very good bird, but keep in mind that Africans usually are tailored towards one sex, and then one person. The bird abosolutely loved me, but hated my wife, and that is why she had to go (the bird, not the wife).
They are very smart and very good talkers. My bird used to mimic many different people, with different voice tones. They do require a great amount of social interaction. If you don't give them enough attention, it usually will result in disaterous results including plucking of the feathers (a bolemic type epidemic).
If you can afford it, I would buy a hand fed baby African Gray. They will live 50+ years so plan on a pet for the long run, but you will not be dissapointed.

Answer 2

The African Grey Parrot has been called "the perfect mix of brains and beauty" (Bird Talk, Aug. 92) and the "cadillac of parrots" (Bird Talk Sept. 93). Much of the notoriety of this species stems from the phenomenal gift of speech members exhibit. While many parrots learn some words or phrases, many cases have been documented of African Greys learning multiple lines of songs, prayers, or plays. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the best talking parrot or parrot like bird as a African Grey named Prudle. Prudle was captured near Jinja, Uganda in 1958 and when "he" retired from public life in 1977 had a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words.

The African Grey Parrot is a medium-sized parrot of the genus Psittacus, native to Africa. As the name implies, they are predominantly grey, with accents of white. Some of their feathers are very dark grey and others are a lighter grey colour. They have red or maroon tails depending on the subspecies. They feed primarily on nuts and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.

There are two subspecies:
Congo African Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus erithacus - these are larger birds (about 12 inches/30cm long) with light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks.

Timneh African Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus timneh - these are smaller in size, have a darker charcoal gray coloring, a darker maroon tail, and a light, horn colored beak.

Some authors incorrectly recognize a third subspecies, Ghana African Grey (Psittacus erithacus princeps). It is similar to the Congo African greys, but darker and slightly smaller, though scientifically this subspecies has not been found. Among breeders, there is said to be a fourth subspecies, the Cameroon African Grey, most often referred to as the big silvers.

Answer 3

The African Grays are my most favorite Parrot, I own 4 of them ages 37, 12, 8 and 3 years old they all have their own personalities, sometimes it is like have 4 two year olds running around, but I would never give them up for anything. They are a very inteligent species, they tend to be on the shy side around strangers, but they are very good at learning how to talk. The more time you spend with your bird and continuing repeating words he will learn to pick them up, it won't happen over night, but always offer a treat for his efforts. If you need more info on African Grays please contact me, I have over 25 years experience with them.

Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com
join our group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/

Answer 4

Here is a forum for African Grey Parrots

http://africangreyparrot.info/forum/index.php?act=home

Other Websites:

http://www.ukparrotcages.co.uk/african_greys.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/africangreys/a/africangreys_3.htm
http://www.amazon.com/African-Grey-Parrots-Everthing-Nutrition/dp/0764110357 (if you want to buy complete pet owner's manual)

Google Search is a great tool. If you need more information to simply type for example African Grey Parrot Care. You will have lots of options too choose. Libraries are awesome too and should have a lot of information. I usually multiply my options. I hope it helps.

Take care.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have some good advice so far, I can only add a couple things.

African Grays are intelligent birds and will mimic sounds they hear if it helps them fit in and belong to the “flock”. Right now, the reason he meows could be that a previous owner taught him that or that he has been around cats for a while – I know many that “bark”!

Talk to him like you would a child, always pay him attention and even try to have conversations when you’re around him. Eventually he will begin to realize that the sounds you make he can also make. It might sound like a garbled mess at first, but keep at it.

As for some behavior…. Yes, they are very possessive of one and only one person. They will fall in love with one person and act aggressive towards anyone else that they view as “moving in” on their “mate”.

They also have a habit of rubbing their beaks against perches, ground, etc.. This is to clean them off but it also acts as a territorial sign – “I live here, this is mine!”

Some also head-bob – bounce their heads up and down – no one can really say why they do this, they just do.

They forage on the ground for food and to nest so you might find him trying to “start his Harley” so to speak; scratching one foot on the ground with his head lowered.

“Pinning” (controlled dilation of their iris) of the eyes could mean they’re curious or interested in something that’s around. Keep an eye on this behavior and see if you can tell what piqued his interest.

The ultimate sign of affection for parrots is regurgitation. It might seem messy for us but they lock beaks and share food with each other. If you think he’s being friendly and then he grabs a finger, try not to pull back or overreact – he might be trying to show affection. Even though their beaks are big and sharp, you’ll know when they’re trying to hurt you vs. trying to interact with you.

The same can go for stepping up on your arm; he might latch on with his beak to get a grip and if you jerk away, he might feel he has to grab on even harder.

They have the intelligence of a 3-4 year old human child, so treat them similar; offer them plenty of toys to stimulate themselves with, talk to them, play with them and love them like one!

Answer 6

I am an owner of a Jen-day, a Nan-day, Cockatiels and a Double Yellow headed Amazon. I bought this CD on EBAY...It has 50 phrases and words and you just play it on repeat . My birds caught on very quickly with this method. Bit, you need to also use these phrases and words around them too. I have been very successful with even training my cockatiels to talk, when this breed of bird is not that vocal. My brother has even taught his parakeet to say
'hi", "goodnight", " daddy", and ten more words. He has only had him for 1 year.

Answer 7

Some Grey's are talkers and others aren't so much, it really depends on their personality. Our male talks like crazy and our female only likes to whistle. It's best to just work with them, play games with them that are using the same words over and over, they have fun and start to use those words, also if they are alone during the day, play music.

Answer 8

African Grey's mimic people the more you talk to her she might talk back or some birds dont talk in front of people lol but the more you talk to her and she hears she'll learn.

Answer 9

The best way to get parrots to talk is to talk to them! LOL Sounds simple, right? Well, it is! The more you talk, sing, whistle, play, and interact with your parrot, the more it will pick up and start mimicing your own behaviors and sounds. I have a 10 month old African Congo Grey parrot, and she already mimics my singing, my talking, can say over 15 words (like "I'm A Good Bird!" and "Here Kitty Kitty!"), and loves one-on-one time with me and my dogs. The more I say things to her, the more she learns!

We also like to play "mirror" where she does an action, and I repeat it or vice versa. She'll flap her wings, and I'll give her a hand signal and word for the action everytime she does it. For instance, to flap her wings and "fly" her word cue is "fly with me" as I flap my hands out to my sides and show her, mimicing her natural action of flying. She LOVES this and has quickly associated my asking her to "fly with me" with her flapping her wings, so it becomes a learning game of fun times and play!

I know it's funny, but I'm also teaching her to poop on command by saying "Poop" everytime I see she's about to, and she'll now do so whenever I say poop about 85% of the time. This comes in really handy whenever I want to take her for rides in the car or out to the pet store to show her off...I tell her to "poop" when we're outside over the grass, and she does so so there are no accidents while inside the store or the car. So, figure out what actions you want her to do to help you have more fun with her, no matter where you are! I hope to within the next year be able to have her trained and talking so well that she and I can visit schools and children's homes to introduce them to the wonderful world of birds and her canine best friends.

Bottom line is: The more time you share with your parrot in interactions and play, the more it will want to interact with you and play to please you. Think of things you want your parrot to start saying, and SAY THEM to it as often as you'd like. The more they hear the repetition, the easier it will be for them to work ou the sounds and start saying what you want clearer and clearer.

All in all, I have found African Congo Greys to be one of the most intelligent and fastest learners among all parrot species of birds. Enjoy yours!

To every other bird lover out there, "Have you talked and played with your bird today?" =o)

Answer 10

The African Grey Parrot comes from a broad area of Central Africa. P.e. Erithacus being the nominate race, the Congo African Grey. P.e. Timneh more commonly called Timneh African Grey. Given the appropriate nutritional requirements in a nurturing home, African Grey's can have a lifespan of 50-70 years.

The Congo African Grey Parrot is a medium grey bird with shades of light grey on the body. The feathers on the head have brushed white edging. The eye area is of bare white skin. A solid black beak and bright red tail are the finishing touches to this magnificent parrot. Young CAG's have dark grey tips on their tail feathers. They are also known as the "Red Tailed Grey". They vary in from 12-14" from beak to tail, also can vary in weight between 400-650 grams depending on the frame of the individual bird.

Greys from Nigeria usually have dark grey wings. CAG's from the Congo region are, on average, larger in size. On occasion you might see a Grey with red feathering throughout the body - they are known as "Red Factor Greys".

The Timneh African Grey Parrot is a dark grey bird with shades of light grey on the body. The eye area is of bare white skin. They have a "bone" colored upper mandible and a dark maroon tail. The Timneh is smaller in size ranging from 9-11 inches beak to tail. Also TAG's can vary in weight from 275-400 grams.

The CAG and TAG as a baby parrots will have dark grey to black eyes up until they are roughly 6 months of age when their eye color starts to lighten. By the time they reach a year, their eyes become a pale grey color. At about 1.5 to 2 yrs their eyes will turn a pale straw color. And lastly at about 3-4 years of age, they will have a light yellow iris. This is one way to be able to determine an estimate of how old a baby is when visiting bird stores. Grey's usually reach maturity at about 4-5 years of age.

Note: When speaking in context of African Grey's; I am referring to both the Congo and the Timneh species. The only difference between the two species is their physical appearance.

The most common phrase I have heard regarding African Grey's is "the perfect mix of brains and beauty". I often hear people say African Grey's are not as "colorful" as most parrots. They apparently have not seen the true personality of an African Grey Parrot. They have a remarkable, noble beauty that takes your breath away!

African Grey's have the most extraordinary flair for speech. But do not think that they are limited to speech only! They can mimic almost any sound in your home. Although most greys do not start talking until a year in age, there are many cases where they will speak earlier. Some greys do not start speaking until 2 years, so never give up hope! They have the capacity to have a vocabulary of over 2000 words. I would like to add this "food for thought"... there is no guarantee that a Grey will speak. This should never be the sole reason for buying a grey. (Please see our Talking Article.) There is so much more to an african grey than just speech. a They are more human than some will admit. They feel our emotions and act accordingly. They do not mimic, they learn from us. Speaking in sentences, responding appropriately to questions, the physical motions to comfort us when we are sad, the list goes on and on.

African Grey's have the intellectual capacity of a 5 year old child with the emotions of a 2 year old. Because of this higher intelligence, they can be demanding pets and rightly so. They require constant attention along with a stimulating environment that includes various types of toys, a large cage, a play-stand.

Generally speaking, Greys are cautious birds. They have a tendency to sit back and watch you before giving themselves up freely. They tend to not be very outgoing towards strangers. Then are very intuitive to your feelings and it is always best to approach them with a calm demeanor. Once you win the trust of an African Grey, he/she will be your best friend for life. They are very dedicated and loyal birds