ChelsieSp 🏳️‍🌈
A photo I took through the pet box hole the day I brought home Aristotle. I had budgies growing up, then went over ten years without waking up to morning chirps & chatter- I missed that so much. Arie is still young, but he's learning so fast. Any pet bird stories or budgie training tips are welcome on this post #birds #budgie #parakeet #pets #parrots #budgerigar #birdtraining
Jul 10, 2023 at 8:35pmWeb
Show threadJessica CannonJul 11, 2023
@Rockbythetree Build trust by letting Aristotle come to you, then once you’ve started to build that relationship, talk to him everyday. Point to objects and name them. Ask full questions (e.g. do you need a drink of water?). Play with toys together and spend time letting him hang out with you in the evenings or while you work. Basically treat him like another person. This enriches his life and is how I’ve had both of my parakeets learn to talk and engage in ways that we understood each other. Good luck!
Show threadChelsieSp 🏳️‍🌈Jul 11, 2023
@drjacannon thanks for the advice! I knew budgies were smart, but didn't know they were that preceptive! The only thing I've been saying to him is "hello" because I thought it would be cute if he says hello to everyone. Ha. I'll start talking more. He already gets on my finger and I let him out to fly for a few hours a day. I also have cats so he can't be free to roam in and out of the cage or fly outside the one room of the house, unfortunately.
Show threadJessica CannonJul 11, 2023
@Rockbythetree They are smart cookies! My most recent girl (had her 12 years before she passed) learned my name (among 20-30 other words) and even asked where I was when I was not around. The one I had as a kid would ask for what she wanted and easily had a vocab over 100 words. Repetition and speaking clearly are key. Definitely be careful with the cats around too, they like to slip into rooms unnoticed.
Show threadChelsieSp 🏳️‍🌈Jul 11, 2023
@drjacannon that is so cool! I have never had one that could talk. And yes we're careful- cats are cute, but they're shady too!
Show threadJessica CannonJul 11, 2023
@Rockbythetree It took about a year for them to start to learn to talk, although that was before I realized how much teaching them was just like teaching a child. It might go faster with focused effort.