Hi, chrs-md, thank you very much for your reply. Yes I know these things take time. And I have read a lot about talking in parrots and African greys in particular. But sometimes internet articles and guides tend to be to general and don't take into consideration the specifics of a certain situation. That is why I posted on the forum, hoping for advise from your (the experienced parrot owners) experiences with your parrots.
You said: We always say “don’t pick a bird because it can speak". And suggested focusing on building a bond. Well I think building a bond and teaching a bird to talk are not mutually exclusive. One can work on both equally and I think both efforts will be complementary. I've read a lot of posts or replies to other similar questions about talking which always go along the lines of: talking isn't important... Or you should never get a bird because it talks... or (and this is my favorite): "would you love your child any less if he didn't talk?"
Let us just make one thing clear: a parrot is a pet bird and NOT a child!! No comparison. It really gets under my skin when I hear people comparing their pets to children or fathers or mothers.. etc... A pet is an animal. Period. One can be an EXCELLENT per owner but still view his children as children and his pets as pets. And if we do want to use that anology (African greys talking and our children talking, I think every loving parent would do everything in their power to help their child overcome his/her talking problem. Another issue I would like to raise is the following: If one researches parrots looking for specific characteristics, talking ability would be one of the things listed for African greys. So it is absolutely normal for anyone who did their homework and made an educated choice to get an African grey to be every bit enthusiastic and excited for it to be a good talker (in addition to being a well bonded and socialized and healthy and happy animal). So I don't understand on forums (whether this or others) why when someone is concerned or disappointed that his African grey is not talking, he/she get criticised. If I wanted to get a hunting dog, I would do the research and find the best breed for this purpose and I would be VERY disappointed if my dog ended up being one of the exceptions of that breed and doesn't possess the characteristics need to be a hunting dog. If i get a cow to produce milk and ends up producing a few drops of milk every other day, yes i would be VERY disappointed and would be very upset if i tried getting advise online and got answers like:
"Oh, but it doesn't matter that the cow doesn't produce milk. It is still a beautiful animal." Understand my point? If someone gets an African grey and talking is an important characteristic and then it doesn't talk and he/she decides after a month or two to give it to a loving family (who don't value talking ability) and get a new African grey that talks, I think he has every right and deserves every bit of respect for his decision. Let us not forget that when one commits to an African grey we are talking about the possibility Of this being a 40 or 50 year commitment. It is only normal and expected that this person would not want to be stuck for 50 years with a parrot that does not do what he chose that specific breed of parrot to do. Of course I stress the idea of passing that parrot on to a loving family or caring facility. If that person were to say he was going to throw that African grey out or put it in substandard conditions, then yes I would agree he is doing something very bad.
Chrid-md, I'm sorry I posted this in reply to your post. I do not mean for it to be directed towards you. I am just voicing my opinion for anyone who is reading this thread and for anyone on this forum.
Thank you.
