Older Macaws - Talking

[WeimerHeimer]

Are older Macaws capable of learning new words?

We rescued 3 Macaws a few weeks ago. They are all around 11-12 years old. Not old by any means for a Macaw. We were wondering if they have the abilility to learn any new words, songs, tricks, etc.... being this age.

 

[Narkissios]

From what i have read it really doesn't seem to matter the age, only the willingness of you to spend the time working with them and training them. Its a long path but a rewarding one.

 

[triordan]

sure they can, Remington was 13 when we got him and he has learned new vocabulary~ just takes a lot of repitition and time!

 

[noblemacaw]

I have noticed the closer the bond with the parrot the more the macaw is willing to try to please you. Once you have a really close bond with the parrot it will want to communicate with you better so it will learn your words. This is really good training your parrot and teaching it tricks.

Interesting enough I am more adept for training my parrot to do things than to talk. Lupe has the talent of getting them to learn new words and phrases. I am the nurturer and she is their human toy. Each person will have a different relationship with each parrot and the bird will respond differently with that person in the desire to communicate.

 

[WeimerHeimer]

Thanks folks!

All of our other birds (Conures & 'Too's) we've pretty much obtained at an early age and we've trained them when they were young. We've just did this rescue recently and never had the chance to work with older birds from the start like this.

Anyone else have any opinions or ideas on vocab training older Macs, please let me know.

 

[Shayne]

My 3 year old b and g macaw that I've only had 2 weeks has already learned new words off me. He says 'ouch' or 'no' after he bites me. Says 'goodnight' and I even got him to say 'how you doing'. Although he only said this once.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Thats fantastic : you have 3 rescued Macaws. They will have a bit of time before they settle in. They might already know alot ,and are not ready to share. Eleven years is alot of learning and experiencing time. I always say I love my rehomes cause your never know what their going to say.LOL