by Cage Cleaner » Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:47 pm
Talking and noise partly depends on the bird, but definitely partly on the owner/person that interacts most with it. Let me explain:
Birds are flock animals, which means that they try their best to communicate with what they perceive as a "flock". For pet birds, this means you. They are constantly watching you for clues, and will pick up clues or hints that -you- do to help them interact.
If you're the type that doesn't talk much when interacting with the bird, then the bird will learn that making vocalizations doesn't work/doesn't facilitate interaction with his "flock", being you. But if you're the type that obsessively talks to the bird when hanging out with it, then the bird will pick up words and phrases in an attempt to better interact with you. If you whistle to him, then he will most likely pick up whistling over talking, etc.
Both my birds talk, and make a decent amount of noise. Obviously this is because they ARE CONURES. However, I look like a complete idiot when hanging out with them, because I am non-stop talking/blabbing to them. My Sun Conure at 3 months of age is talking. Probably because she watches my GCC do so to me. We also contact call with words when I'm around the house and out of sight.
I don't consider my birds that noisy, mainly because they've learned that screaming doesn't get them attention over talking.
Alexandrines I believe are supposed to be loud, as well, naturally. And also good talkers. Maybe you can try to start talking to it instead of teaching it amazon rain forest sounds. That way, it might be a good compromise between the annoyed roommates and the non-vocalizing bird.