Bird Talk? My African Grey is just 7 months old and not yet talking. She garbles a lot and whistles?

Question

in the same tune I say things to her. For example, I say "I love you" and she makes a bird whistle sound that mimics my words. Is that how they begin talking? Is her garbeling her way of practicing or do all parrots do that. I want desperately to hear her speak, how much longer do you think I'll have to wait???

I didn't buy her because I wanted a talking bird, but if she is capable, I'd really like to hear her voice. If she never spoke I would love her all the same, she's precious to me. My question is primarily about the sounds she makes, is it normal before speech or is it just bird stuff?

Sara, she sure does love to sit on my shoulder and cover me with kisses. I have a bird halter for her so she can go outside with me. Although her wings are clipped I would never want to take a chance. I'm soooo sorry you lost your bird. I hope one day you'll get another.

Answer 1

I have two Congo African Greys. One I've had since she was a chick with no feathers (about 6 wks old), that I handfed and raised. The other I took on as a rescue about 5 months after getting the first one. The both of them appear to be about the same age, size, etc. Both are females.

The one I hand-raised made lots of non-sensical sounds for about two years. I was seriously concerned that she would never talk. When she became about 2-1/2 years old, she started talking and has been non-stop since. She will be 4 years old on Valentine's day.

The other, can speak, but rarely does.... and usually when she does it's very faint. You have to really be listening to hear her words, but she does say some things. She talks nothing like the other, however.

So not all Greys are created equal. Some will talk and some won't. Some will start earlier than others. Mine started at 2-1/2 years old and talks all the time. She even makes up her own sentences and asks for things for other pets in the household. She's a real hoot! Then I have one that would prefer to squeak & squawk than talk. I am still in hopes that she will one day talk too... but I'm not pushing on her. I love her whether she talks or not.

Talking to your bird is most important. Even after they start talking... The more you talk to them, the more they learn and the more they will give back to you.

Good luck!
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Answer 2

If this baby grey is only 7 months old and he is 'kinda' mean, there is something going on around him that he feel threatened about. Is he in a noisy room with a lot going on? For any parrot and especially greys, you need to build up a trusting bond with the bird. Be gentle, talk softly and talk to him like you would a young child. Seven months is pretty young for a grey to start talking. Usually they don't start to talk until about 1 year old. You also must realize that not every bird talks, even greys are sometimes not willing to learn our language. If you treat your baby grey with respect and kindness, he will bond to you better and have a better chance of speaking when he is a few months older.

Answer 3

African Grey's are the bomb! That is my dream bird. I have researched Grey's, 7 mons. is way to young! She will talk around 1 year of age. The garbeling is a great sign.

Alway's remember with any Bird, your only going to get out of it what you put into it! keep talking to her, repeat the same things over and over. Grey's have the mind of a 5 year old Child, but a temperment of a 2 year old. They end up being a one person Bird. If you have others in your Home she might take to one of them.

When People get a new BabyBird they tend to handle them alot, as time goes by they tend to change holding them as much. Please don't do this with your Grey. Handle her now like you will beable to handle her the rest of her life with you, they can get mean fast, they are very demanding Birds.

Also with Greys, it does NOT matter if it's a Male or Female if it's going to talk it's going to talk, if NOT it won't. Like i said i really reserched Grey's with the garbeling i think you have a talker.

Good Luck, I hope this helps..............................Just my opinion.

Answer 4

Yup. That's exactly what she is doing. She is trying to learn how to talk. It really depends on the bird but most Greys only start sounding clear after they are a year or a year and a half old. Keep talking to her and praise her for talking. React to the sounds she is making. Positive reinforcement and attention is the key. Patience and love is another. She'll be chatting non-stop in no time.. Have fun!!

Answer 5

Birds, like children, learn to speak in their own time. Having a bird take up to or even longer than a year is not unheard of. You say this is a female bird....they do not speak as clearly as male birds. It does sound like she's picking up on it quickly at only 7 months and she'll be getting more clearly in her speaking in no time! Keep working with her and talk to her often...repetition is the key here. Good luck!

Answer 6

On different websites I've read about African Greys (at the time I wanted one.), I heard that it takes like a bit of time to talk. I'd say 7 months is still too young. Males are the ones to most likely talk, but lone African Greys have a great chance of talking.

But really, not all birds will talk, and that's why they shouldn't be bought just to talk. If you wanted one that would talk, it probably would of been best to already buy one that can talk.

Keep repeating the same words to her everyday, and she may or may not get the hang of it.

Good luck.

Answer 7

females are not big talkers- if her mother was a big talker, she could be, but most females do more of a whistle mimicry. They will do some words, but not nearly as much as a male would.
Garbling is her way of practicing words/sounds, yes.The theory behind that is they want to make them sound correct before saying them to you- a self conscious issue, lol.
My neighbor has an african gray- tried forever to get him to talk with all the normal phrases- would only whistle (at ~11months). One day he dropped something on his foot- yelled sh".t and the bird copied right back....and has been talking words ever since!

Answer 8

WOW - i am so jealous of you ! I had my grey GIVEN to me - he was older ,but chatted up a storm !! Even whistled when seeing me naked lolol - and meowed like my cat ! I had him and trained for over a year - never got his wings clipped ( i recommend this for you) and he flew away :( ...i cried for weeks ...miss him like crazy .....anyway ........yes everyone is right ...urs is young ....keep repeating yourself .....like ur name and his name ..and before you know it he will be chatting non-stop!! Hello is their fav. word and whistling !! It's their nature to talk alot - so don't worry - hang in a bit longer sweety and have a blast with him !! They are soooooooooo unbelievably clever - can say almost any word !! Good luck babe - also take him to the vet to get a check up - u will have him for a long time !! U lucky girl ! Oh ya ...u probably know ...but they love to sit on ur shoulder and kiss u - ...also they might nip u as they are very protective and it's their way of showing love !! xoxoxox

Answer 9

My African grey timneh did the same thing at that age. She turned one in November. You should hear her now. She is still learning some words but others are very clear now. I know you are as anxious as I was for her to start talking. They are so lovely. Of course my other 3 help in the process of her talking too. :)

Answer 10

i have 2 greys, 4 year old and 8 months. my 4 year old said his first word around 6-7 months. both of my greys are timneh and they start to talk a little sooner than the congo grey. you will notice a bunch of jebber jabber for awhile, yes that is their way of learning how to talk. my grey says what he wants not what i want him to say, so just keep talking like your doing and it probably wont be long for he starts to say thing. my 8 month old just started saying a few words around the beginning of jan. if you have a congo, it might be closer to 1 year or a little longer before she starts to say words.