My Grey not talking

[gerrypony]

Hello!

I'm new on this board, and just have one concern. My 9-month old Congo, who I've had for 5 months, is not talking. I specifically bought an African grey to talk, but this baby is not making any effort. I talk to him a lot, repeat words like "hello" at least 30 times a day, and I say words associated with objects or events to get him to learn. However, all he wants to do is gurgle and whistle.

Is there anything else I can do? Does anyone know if this is normal, and if he would eventually start talking? At what age do greys usually talk? I absolutely adore him, and keep him company most of the time. I'm just dying to hear "baby's first word"!

Thanks,
D

 

[Ratzy]

Not every bird talks, it depends on their personality. Are you sure of his age?

 

[Riley's mom]

I have a grey that turned 1 on March 15 and is just now starting to talk. But I also have friends that have greys that don't talk at all. Not all birds will talk. Most of my birds do talk, but I didn't get them because of that talent. I don't care if none of them talked, I love them for themselves and the joy they bring our family.

 

[gerrypony]

I'm pretty sure he's quite young. His eyes are still dark -- haven't turned yellow yet. I do love him anyway ... I just wish he would talk to me.

 

[parrotqueen]

I know how it feels, you want to hear your baby show off his talent. I'm afraid you're still going to have to wait a little while longer. Just keep talking and talking, and be patient with him.

 

[Spiritbird]

I have a TAG Rosie who just recently learned to say hello. She will be 1 year old April 20th. In addition to saying words in everyday life I took the advice Of Antionette and made a tape recording of my voice saying the words. I played it whenever I was busy or not home. Shortly after that she started to say hello. Now I am making a recording of other words. They develop a vocabulary between 1 and 2 years.
I know what you mean by wanting to hear them say words. You just never know.

Dexter looks really cute.

 

[n5drt]

greys dont start talking til there little over 1 year off age

 

[willist]

I'm sorry you bought your Grey for the wrong reason, no breed of bird is guaranteed to talk. You should just feel privileged to own one of the smartest birds on the planet. My grey did not say a single word until he was one year old. Be patient.

 

[stanleyseah999]

be patient my friend.

generally greys start learning their first words at around 1-2 years old.

but then not all greys are talkers, some are contented to whistle or keep quiet their whole lives, & some talks non-stop you wished they would stop!

anyway, don't fret if your grey doesn't start talking within a year or two. sometimes, those who start the slowest tend to be the best talkers around!

 

[gerrypony]

I have a commercial CD with lots of different phrases. You can loop each word or phrase and have it repeat as long as you like. Does anyone think that a recording of my own voice would be more encouraging?

I actually didn't know that greys may only learn to talk in their second year of age. A couple of books I read mentioned that most start talking around 6 months old! Anyway, I feel better now knowing we do have a chance

 

[gerrypony]

I'm sorry you bought your Grey for the wrong reason, no breed of bird is guaranteed to talk. You should just feel privileged to own one of the smartest birds on the planet. My grey did not say a single word until he was one year old. Be patient.

I do feel very privileged to share my home with a gorgeous, smart little grey. It was a childhood dream to own a grey, and only just managed to get one because they are so expensive where I live. Having him talk to me is a bonus.

 

[Spiritbird]

Of course you feel it is a gift to have a grey in your home. They are all little feathered treasures as I call them. Very rare but it does happen that they talk under 1 year of age. Ask Antionette about her CAG Mishka.

 

[ButterflyMommy]

Of course you feel it is a gift to have a grey in your home. They are all little feathered treasures as I call them. Very rare but it does happen that they talk under 1 year of age. Ask Antionette about her CAG Mishka.

I agree Spiritbird, they are such treasures!

Gerrypony, I would not worry too much, as others have stated, they usually on average do not talk until closer to 1 or 2 years of age, some start younger, like my Jimmy, who was 5 months and now at 7 months I only wish he had a mute button LOL j/k. Mishka as mentioned above also talks all the time non stop cuteness. But just because ours started early does not mean yours wont. At the same time there is no guarantee that your grey will, but regardless, they are a blessing. Give your grey a scritch from me!

 

[antoinette]

Hi there and welcome to a great forum.
Be patient, birds take a long time to learn to talk.
Go into a post called " was I lucky to get a bird that would talk "
Sure this will help you, understand it does not happened overnight, takes hours and hours.
Perserver, keep talking and talking.
Go into "video's" I have a few recording of Mishka talking and how I taught her.
Any further questions please just ask.....
Good luck

 

[peach]

totally agree with most my cag only started to talk at about 1 year and 5 month. dont worry it will

 

[AMR500]

I've been working with Bela for the last 3 weeks, and he quickly picks up new whistles... and noises.. but no gurgling or talking as of yet... I'm patient and waiting... I'll attempt that recording thing perhaps... oh and he's 2yrs old.. so here's hoping...

 

[antoinette]

It takes time and loads and loads of patience and repetition over and over again.
Go into the link below, sure you will find some great tips....

Teaching your bird to talk

 

[Harleyboy]

My grey is 11 now but he didnt start to talk until he was 1 year old... and now he never stops..lol but its great.. just be patient

 

[antoinette]

I'm sorry you bought your Grey for the wrong reason, no breed of bird is guaranteed to talk. You should just feel privileged to own one of the smartest birds on the planet. My grey did not say a single word until he was one year old. Be patient.

I do feel very privileged to share my home with a gorgeous, smart little grey. It was a childhood dream to own a grey, and only just managed to get one because they are so expensive where I live. Having him talk to me is a bonus.

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Talking should be considered a bonus not a requirement..... you are so correct high five

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[Kacie]

I see this is a very old thread but I am curious, did your grey start speaking? Most who are inclined to speak (which is NOT always the case) will do so between 12-mos-24mos. A African Grey has a lifespan similar to a human and therefore they develop slower. They are un-believeably intelligent but it takes time for them to reach full communication potential. Also, I have known more Greys that never spoke a word than have who speak much. The rescue I volunteer for has several Greys who were rehomed by 5 because they didnt speak & the owner got bored & surrendured them. So it IS possible that Greys will never speak. I am just curious how things turned out with your little cutie? Chatterbox yet?