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Contact calling an African Grey

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Contact calling an African Grey

Postby NICrosis » Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:18 pm

Trying to break Loki's habit of whistling the Indiana Jones theme while he chases my cat. I'd really like to teach him a contact call, and to speak. He's five years old and doesn't say a word.

I'm trying to figure out how to make him contact call with the phrase "My Body" and work on his speaking. Loki won't even say his name that he's had for 5 years.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby Wolf » Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:42 pm

The more you talk to him, the more likely he is to pick it up. they also tend to pick up things that are said with emphasis and / or like you were singing your words. but it is hard to say what they will decide to pick up.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby Pajarita » Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:20 pm

Loki might never say a single word. Lots of grays don't. And, if they did not learn to speak human when young, chances are they never will.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby Harpmaker » Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:41 pm

NICrosis wrote:Trying to break Loki's habit of whistling the Indiana Jones theme while he chases my cat.


LOL. That's got to be one of the funniest things I've heard of a parrot doing. I understand why you need to stop it, but the picture!

Maybe you can get a video before you get him to stop?

With a name like Loki he should be whistling the Ride of the Valkyries instead. ;)
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby Akash » Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:57 am

This is extremely pleasant and better than average post....you shook posting it....thanks a great deal for posting it....!!! :swaying: :rainbow: :greycockatiel:
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby liz » Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:33 am

You named him Loki. He is just living up to his name.

At least he doesn't hide behind the toilet and wait to scare someone.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby GreenWing » Tue Nov 24, 2015 11:19 am

NICrosis wrote:Trying to break Loki's habit of whistling the Indiana Jones theme while he chases my cat. I'd really like to teach him a contact call, and to speak. He's five years old and doesn't say a word.

I'm trying to figure out how to make him contact call with the phrase "My Body" and work on his speaking. Loki won't even say his name that he's had for 5 years.



Rotfl, that's hilarious. Indiana Jones! Adorbs.

Another poster pointed out the right - Greys will pick up on words you say often. Not always, though - they may rephrase it like we're the idiots, lol. For example I say "coffee" and Chance still calls it "Some water?" in the morning and makes a water gurgle sound. Greys are highly intelligent so the bird sees me put water in the coffee maker and knows it's water of some sort I'm drinking. She won't say "coffee" though.

What I have noticed, with Chance anyway, is if you say things lovingly, like a nickname, they might be more likely to pick it up. Chance calls me many loving words I say to her.

So, maybe start calling Loki "My Body" a lot when being affectionate and see what happens?

It may take time for a Grey to speak. Some Greys are bigger talkers than others but, I think the more you interact and bond the more likely they are to talk to you.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby Wolf » Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:09 pm

Kookooloo still refuses to speak when there is anyone in the room other than me. Not that she talks all that much any way, Still she takes it all in and you can tell that she doesn't miss much.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby liz » Thu Nov 26, 2015 10:27 am

Just because they don't speak does not mean they are not absorbing everything they hear.

Myrtle loves to baby blabber but will say words clearly when she wants to.

My Amazons yell hello back and forth until I tell them I had enough.
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Re: Contact calling an African Grey

Postby ParrotsForLife » Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:12 am

liz wrote:You named him Loki. He is just living up to his name.

At least he doesn't hide behind the toilet and wait to scare someone.

Loki is living up to her name (Just incase you get confused im talking about my Loki)
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