Question about ennunciation

[DRB]

So our FIDs are crazy smart we all know, some moreso than others, but all smart as a whip. Obviously CAGS are known for great ability to talk and mimic sounds with great precision. So Perjo has started talking, just two words "hello" and "what". My question is why do they struggle with precise enunciation when they start to talk? It strikes me as a bit surprising simply b/c Perjo started mimicing other sounds and whistles from me right from the start, and with great precision. She mimiced the animals sounds I taught her (online) and my whistles literally within days and arguably exactly like she heard them, but not words. She says "hewwo" and "wha", which is awesome and I love it. Just a bit surprised it isn't spot on after hearing it for 17 months.

Does it have anything to do with the complexity of the syllables in some cases or them really understanding the context of what they are saying?

 

[GaleriaGila]

I have heard it said by the Pepperburg crew that many birds have trouble ding S sounds. Yet little screamer Rickeybird can say them.
I've also heard widely that parrots "rehearse" and perfect words and phrases in a quiet-ish voice before "announcing" them. Rb does that for sure.
There's no predicting them! I've said I LOVE YOU ten times a day for 32 years, and never heard it back. He hears a J-Lo song maybe ten times a day during the weeks it was the biggest hit and eagerly learns the chorus (his version, anyway).
I give up.

 

[Kentuckienne]

It may be because every time you say a word, you say it slightly differently. As an English speaker you know that "you all" "y'all" and "youuuuuu all" mean the same thing, but to a parrot those are three different things, not three variations of the same thing. Whereas the microwave ding is the same every time. That's why people use clickers to train, the clicker sound is unique and consistent.

 

[GaleriaGila]

There ya go, makes total sense!

I'd still like an explanation for why Rb won't say "I love you" but sings about J-Lo's booty. Nevermind, I know the answer.

 

[DRB]

It may be because every time you say a word, you say it slightly differently. As an English speaker you know that "you all" "y'all" and "youuuuuu all" mean the same thing, but to a parrot those are three different things, not three variations of the same thing. Whereas the microwave ding is the same every time. That's why people use clickers to train, the clicker sound is unique and consistent.

That's kind of what I was thinking. Good point.