Skittles talking or wishful thinking?

[Skittys_Daddy]

I know that without video/audio, its probably impossible for anyone to say for sure- but I'm just curious how other sun conure owners decipher between mimics and words. Skittles is very tempermental with the camera. Sometimes he'll let me photograph him or record him, no problem. Other times he will attack the camera. So I have to catch him on a 'camera is not bad day'.

Now, I know sunnies don't have 'clear sounding vocals' that you can easily understand so its difficult to know what, if anything, they are saying.

But I say "love you" a LOT to Skittles and the other day I heard him making the same sound, it rhymed in sync with what I was saying. I just dismissed it at first since I never tried to teach him to talk. But I just wonder because I say it to him so often (probably at least ten times an hour, minimum). But I can't help but think he is trying to say it- especially since he will often make his 'kissy noises' on command (depending on how he feels lol). Though he makes those noises constantly while in time out. lol. He IS a major manipulator!

So, thoughts people? Am I imagining it?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Dude, congrats... of course he's talking, and you're understanding.

 

[trimblegirls]

I don't think you're imagining it. I think Skittles is talking! My green cheek conure, Tillie, says "come here" but only to me. No one else ever hears her. It's in her little garbled voice but she's definitely talking.

 

[wrench13]

Each species has a different 'voice'. Cockatiels and buddgies have high pitched squeaky voices , but when you attuned to their voices, you can certainly hear the words. I dont know about sunnys . Salty goes from his Opera voice singing to my wife Geris voice ( typical womans voice) but when he does my voice its this low pitched almost robotic voice. We used one of those repeat boxes when we first got him, however he picked up stuff right away, and we dont use it anymore. I bet you he is talking you just need to listen closely.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Mango, the Sunny from Pepper&Pals, says hello and other words.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

He was cuddling in my shirt a few minutes ago and I tried to catch him on video making the noise but as soon as he saw the camera he went into 'attack mode' and bit me pretty hard. He broke skin, and it bled. But given that he only does that when he feels 'threatened', I don't discipline him. I just say "no" and then remove the threat. Then he returns to his normal self and doesn't bite. Its weird because he seems to have a love/hate relationship with the camera. lol. He just doesn't seem to like being recorded when he is cuddling in my shirt.

I'm pretty observant of his little idiosyncrasies and I know all of his sounds and mimicks and this one is new. The only sound he hears that rhymes with that is when I say 'love you'. I was pretty sure I wasn't imagining it especially when he seems to make the sound most after I say those words. Just like the 'kissy noises'. Though he will make those on his own too. But I didn't teach him that.

Anyways, I'm glad it isn't just me. I just hope he doesn't start saying "get off the phone and get me a treat". Or as some men say "go in the kitchen and grab me a beer". I do know that sunnies can be very difficult to understand if they speak words. The fact that he says it most often after I say "love you" is actually what got me thinking it was him talking. I hadn't even put the two together until today. lol.

 

[KAYREX]

I have a pineapple who 'talks', but most people can't understand. The best way for me to describe it is like a toddler when only mommy can understand. My pineapple mimics mostly the syllables and tone, but not the actual words if that makes sense. However, mostly in the mornings when his cage is covered he says things much slower and clearer like he's practicing. It's so frigging cute lol

Anyway, he's definitely trying to talk though! Congrats! That's very exciting! Hi Skittles!

 

[Kyoto]

Kyo talks all the time now. I'd say most of the noises she makes are mimicking as opposed to normal conure noises- and I think it's very likely that Skittles has picked up some of your speech.

 

[Sunnyclover]

How old is Skittles?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Skittles will be 7 in March. I'll have had him for 6 years in April. (He was exactly 1yr, 2mo old when I got him).

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I thought Skittles was going to be a one-hit wonder. lol. He hadn't said "love you" in what seemed like several days. Then this evening, he was on his perch and lifted his wing (signalling wanting a wingpit rub) and he said 'love you' three times in a row.

So, as I suspected, he IS saving it up for manipulation. I hate it when I'm right.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

A little update. Skittles said "love you" three times in a row earlier. I was in the bathroom by the sink washing my hands and he wanted to go in my shirt and was saying it. Its so easy to understand when he is standing by my ear. lol.

The other time he said was that wingpit rub incident and he said it three times then too. He repeated that incident earlier this evening.

I can't seem to get him to say it back to me at bedtime or when I leave. Even though I say it to him. I want to get him to say it back to me. lol.

On an unrelated note, after I put him to bed earlier, my neighbor came over cause I had some soup and pasta salad to share with her and right after she left- he started squawking. I went to check on him and his head feathers were raised and he wanted out. So, I took him out- and he proceeded to 'inspect' the apartment as if he was 'looking' for her. After a little while I was able to put him back to bed. I just wanted him to know he was safe, so that's why I let him out for a bit. He is such a riot sometimes!

 

[wanesso]

You are such a good parrot parent!
I am new to birds, with rescues consisting of two conures and a lovebird (not tame at all). Maria, the female conure, says "Maria" in a robotic voice and puffs up moving aggressively when she says it....it's scary! I wish she'd say "I love you"!!