Am I wasting my time talking?

[CAGLulu]

Hello you all .

I just wanted to ask you if I'm waisting my time, talking to Lulu when she's about to go to sleep. When I turn the lights off and cover her cage, I lay down on a bed right next to her, repeating two or three words/phrases that I wan't her to learn, for about 30 minutes. Yesterday I kept repeating for 15 minutes "hello" and for another 15 minutes "how are you". Is she listening at that time, or am I waisting my time?

Thanks.

 

[mtdoramike]

Your wasting your time. The best time is in the morning or later afternoon when they are most vocal.

 

[mnsalani]

Maybe move that little session to earlier in the day But the love you're giving her is never going to waste! Keep it up when she's not trying to get some zzz's & she'lll be talking in no time I bet

 

[CAGLulu]

Alright I'll do that . So I should "talk-train" her in the morning and late afternoon. Got it . Thanks.

 

[antoinette]

Your bird is listening and learning, all the time.
It takes hours and hours to teach a bird to talk not 30 minutes, each night, even during the day. Some birds have the ability to learn and talk much quicker than other birds, give Lulu a chance. When Lulu is ready and willing, she WILL start talking.
Perhaps you are trying to hard, 30 minutes at a time, for only three words or phases, I reckon Lulu is getting pretty bored. Do not make it a training session, keep it fun, play around, stimulating the bird all the time.
Having chatted to you previously, I recall you were trying to teach her I love you and hello.
When saying I love you, add is kiss kiss and make the sounds, that will catch her attention quickly, she will then learn that kiss kiss comes with I love you and begin to say it and make the kissing sounds.

I have Mishka sitting on my lap for an hour each night after dinner. It has become a fixed routine.
We play around a bit and then chat. After a few minutes of playtime, he sits absolutely still knowing we are going to chat.
I go over new words, repeating them to him, adding in words he already knows and add on the new words.

Keep the "conversation" exciting, changing the tune of your voice for different words etc.

Good luck

 

[CAGLulu]

Thanks for your advice antoinette. I try to keep it fun as much as I can, but I'm just worried about that if I/we goof around too much that she won't concentrate on what I'm saying . Or am I completely wrong on this?

I always change the tone I'm saying the words in .

How long should I repeat a word for her? 5-10 minutes?

 

[antoinette]

Thanks for your advice antoinette. I try to keep it fun as much as I can, but I'm just worried about that if I/we goof around too much that she won't concentrate on what I'm saying . Or am I completely wrong on this?

I always change the tone I'm saying the words in .

How long should I repeat a word for her? 5-10 minutes?

Read my post above carefully, I have tried to explain it.

It does not matter how much you are around the bird, as long as when you are, just keep talking and talking. A bird has an amazing memory, they never forget what they have heard. I have said new words to Mishka previously, he has never even attempted to say them, then weeks later he just blurts them out, adding in all other words along with the new word.
Please do not keep repeating words, birds get bored so quickly. Imagine your mom made you repeat a word for 5 to 10 minutes, you would feel it is more like punishment, sure a bird would feel the same in my opinion.

I have been with Mishka 24/7 since he was 6 weeks old. He was with me from 4.30am till 8pm each and every day. He is now almost 4 years old.
I began working again, permanently, outside from home, two months ago.
I was so worried that Mishka would change, his personality etc and that he would detest me for leaving him for such long periods (I also work every weekend full day) He is left on his own during the day, from 8am till 5pm. My cd's are left playing all day for him. He now has 27 cd's. There are many many many different saying, words etc, everything that he has learnt. From his first words and saying to present.
I am so happy to report that Mishka is exactly the same towards me, I actually think our bonding has got even stronger now, because our time together is so little and so precious that we grab every opportunity, and make the most of it.
Remember each and every bird is different, some may talk and other not. When we become guardians, it is for the love of having a bird not for what we want out of a bird. Even is your bird never talks, they have so many other precious things to be grateful for.

 

[CAGLulu]

Never thought of it in that way. It gives me bad conscience thinking about that I've been boring her, by constantly repeating the same word over and over again.. I give Lulu attention all the time except when I'm in school and in the gym (1½ hour). Sure I haven't brought her home just because I want her to talk, but if she will do, then that's an amazing bonus. I love her to pieces.
I'll stop bore her by constantly repeating the same words. Thanks for your advice. It opened my eyes .

 

[antoinette]

Never thought of it in that way. It gives me bad conscience thinking about that I've been boring her, by constantly repeating the same word over and over again.. I give Lulu attention all the time except when I'm in school and in the gym (1½ hour). Sure I haven't brought her home just because I want her to talk, but if she will do, then that's an amazing bonus. I love her to pieces.
I'll stop bore her by constantly repeating the same words. Thanks for your advice. It opened my eyes .

That is just my opinion.......
Just keep trying different ways and methods, that is what I did with Mishka.

I am trying to get Mishka to say

Hello my name is Mishka Routledge

I live in Alberton, in South Africa

Mommy Routledge (and my cell number)

I am struggling, chopping and changing it all the time. Just finding the best method...
He has never even said My name is Mishka Routledge yet, but I know soon he will.

Good luck

 

[Rio Mom]

That's brilliant to teach Mishka to say where he lives and your number!

 

[antoinette]

That's brilliant to teach Mishka to say where he lives and your number!

You never know what can happen, and heaven forbid, if he ever flies away, he will be able to say his name, mommy's name and cell number.

On the funny side, knowing Mishka he will keep them entertained for hours and hours with all his saying etc, then when he gets bored and wants to go home, he will mention my name and number haha

 

[mtdoramike]

I have also found that not trying to teach them how to talk and just let it take it's course and let them learn on their own works great as well. Unfortunately you can't tailor their speach that way, but you will be surprised at what they will pick up and it's usually stuff that's repeated the most. like if you have a dog as well and you yell every morning and evening for your dog to come inside.

I have seen a few birds that never learned to talk and only made vocalizations. But it's usually because when they start chattering and making noise, the owners yell at them to shut up or cover their cage because they are noisy. But then they wonder why they won't talk duuuuhhhhhhh!

I think birds mainly learn to talk to get our attention. I know my little Sennie doesn't say a word while she is sitting with me or near me. But let me leave the room for a while, or give her play time or quiet time on her cage and within minutes, she starts chattering away, between words, chirps, peeps, squeals and an occassional squawk.

I also read to my bird quite often, like once a day or every other day. Nothing mind blowing, just an article in a news paper or magazine. By the way, she LOVES the Sunday comic strips, especially if i show her the pictures while reading the captions to her.

 

[merlinsmom13]

I have also found that not trying to teach them how to talk and just let it take it's course and let them learn on their own works great as well. ,

Thats how Merlin learned all of his words, he has about 40 words/phrases. He learned peekaboo in one night, some of the others we had probably been saying them to him for months/years b4 he started saying them. He hasn't said anything new for awhile, wonder if he's learned all he is going to learn? I actually spend more time w/him now than before.

 

[CAGLulu]

@antoinette: That is a funny project you're working with! Funny if she actually learned it. I once read that a parrot that was lost told the guys who found him his address and his owners phone number LOL. Pretty amazing.

@mtdormike: You're right about some birds may never talk. It could be because of their owner, but I think that it depends on the birds personality. Sure covering their cage or yelling at them when they talk are not the best motivation. Some birds talk to get our attention, I totally agree with you on that, but some birds, like Mishka just enjoy to talk and mimic sounds.
From now on I'll talk to Lulu a lot more, but not only repeating the same sentence, but just talk. Maybe repeat the thing I wan't her to say more often, but not constantly. Hopefully she will begin to catch on some words on her own as well .

 

[Spiritbird]

I just have to add my 2 cents in this. It is important to remember 2 things here. There are birds, even greys, that may not ever talk. The other item is to remember that in the parrot world nothing happens on our schedule. CL please read the wise suggestions you have been given. Digest them and learn.

Please relax about your bird talking. Some do not talk until after 2 years of age. You could repeat words ad nauseum and the bird will tune you out after a while. They will mostly pick up sounds and words from every day life. The harder you try the more frustration you will have.

 

[CAGLulu]

@Spiritbird: Thanks for your input. I do know that some birds may never talk. As I said before, I haven't brought her home because I wan't her to talk. If she do, that's just a big bonus. I've read all the suggestions and learned from them. I'm not the guy that asks for help and then don't listen to peoples advice. I may understand something wrong since we don't speak English in Denmark, but I try the best I can.

I don't understand you saying I should relax... I just started a thread regarding if I'm waisting my time talking to Lulu when she's ready to sleep and her cage covered up. Thanks anyway .

 

[Nakiska]

I'm certainly no expert on teaching a bird to talk, but I happen to have a male cockatiel who's picking up some words and phrases. He's approximately 7 months old and started saying pretty bird only 3 weeks after we got him. (he was approximately 3 1/2 months old then)

I don't do anything special with him, but I'm a talker and talk alot to all my pets. Everytime I walk by their cages I take a moment to look at each bird specifically and say something "Chicken Little, him a good boy?" or "I love you Franklin**kiss** or "Chiquita, such a pretty girl"

When he learned Pretty Bird...that's ALL he said for 3 months! That and wolf whistling, kissing, chirping, monkey screaming and the works! Sometimes my husband would get irritated because Chicken Little's timing for some of his flock calling screams was poor, but I made excuses for him..I said he's trying to learn to talk and he's learning all the tones his voice can make. He's Practicing :09: And if you cover him up it will discourage him from talking. When he'd start on with those flock calling monkey screams, I found that saying a phrase he knows, redirects his attention to "talking" rather then screaming because he'll start repeating the phrase and stop the screaming.

Anyway, one evening a little over a week ago when I was talking to my husband, Chicken Little was chatting along too, I was 1/2 listening to my husband and 1/2 listening to Chicken Little and then I heard it...He said "Chicken Little" I stopped listening to my husband and waited, my husband saw I was distracted and then Chicken Little said his name again and I said to my husband..."DID YOU HEAR THAT!?" He's saying "Chicken Little!" So we both chimed in "Chicken Little!" And Chicken Little, repeated his name over and over as confirmation that it was correct...a few days later, I'm listening to him and I heard him say "him a good boy?, Chicken Little...Him a good boy?, him a good boy?"

Last night when I had Chicken Little out for play time, I noticed that when I asked him "What'cha doin'?" He cocked his head and walked toward me, so I said it again and he got closer, extremely interested and watching my mouth and I repeated it a few more times, sometimes saying his name "Chicken Little, what'cha doin?" or "Him a good boy....what'cha doin?" He didn't speak at all, but I could see his mind working.

This morning at first daylight, right on schedule, he woke us up chattering away with all the phrases he's learned, whistling, kissing and so forth, but this morning I heard him practicing "what'cha doin?" And a couple times he even got it and when he did, I repeat it...What'cha doin'? GOOD BOY! And he seems to understand that as confirmation that it's correct and he said "whatcha doin" approximately 3 times.

In a few more days...he'll be belting out "What'cha Doin'?" Along with everything else he knows.

So I guess the purpose of this post is to encourage you to NOT get DIScouraged.

Just keep talking and jabbering to LuLu and one day when you least expect it, you'll be suprised to hear her say something out of the blue and you'll be like...OMG! Did you hear that?!

Also, with Chicken Little, it seems that now that he's learned several phrases he picks up new words/phrases much more quickly, I'm not sure if it's true for all birds, but in my experience, once they've learned a word or phrase or two, they tend compound the learning a lot faster. I posted a couple short video clips in the video's thread.

Good Luck she's a BEAUTIFUL gray I know you are very proud to spoil

Toni

 

[Rio Mom]

That's brilliant to teach Mishka to say where he lives and your number!

You never know what can happen, and heaven forbid, if he ever flies away, he will be able to say his name, mommy's name and cell number.

On the funny side, knowing Mishka he will keep them entertained for hours and hours with all his saying etc, then when he gets bored and wants to go home, he will mention my name and number haha

I got a laugh just thinking about Mishka going on and on to somebody about poopie, and sean's car, and everything else, and at the end where he lives. lol.

 

[wibitywab]

The best time could be the morning, but if you usually hear her talking in her sleep, try to talk to her at night!

 

[antoinette]

That's brilliant to teach Mishka to say where he lives and your number!

You never know what can happen, and heaven forbid, if he ever flies away, he will be able to say his name, mommy's name and cell number.

On the funny side, knowing Mishka he will keep them entertained for hours and hours with all his saying etc, then when he gets bored and wants to go home, he will mention my name and number haha

I got a laugh just thinking about Mishka going on and on to somebody about poopie, and sean's car, and everything else, and at the end where he lives. lol.

Just imagine Mishka asking them would they like coffee, then tells them to go to the bathroom, then yells shuuuu oh shut up, you silly billy