Talking

[bowkeet]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this, so thought I'd post my first thread on here. I have a Rainbow Lorikeet bird who is nearly 2 years old. I have had him for around 16 months now. He talks a lot and has an extensive vocabulary for a bird, as he learnt how to say a sentence before an actual word first. However, when I try to get him to talk when I am right next to him he just sits there and looks at me. I know he probaly does because he is listening to me talk, but I want to try and get him to talk on command. I see other birds in the past talk back when the owner is standing infront of the cage. When I walk away from his cage and am sitting in another room, that's when he will start talking away. Why is this so? Does seeking attention have anything to do with this? Very interested to see what other owners have to say...

Thanks

Shay

[zazanomore]

My cockatiel only sings when I'm not in the room...I have to hide to hear him! I think he's just shy, but then again he's still just a baby.

[Kim S]

Maybe he hasnt learned yet that talking is a back and forth thingy. If he starts talking while you are in earshot, start talking back. Maybe that will help.
I dont know the problem from experience. Kika started talking back to me right after he learned to talk. When I walk into the room he says "Hey Kik!" since that is almost always the first thing I say to him when I enter the room. When he wants attention when we are already in the room he yells "Kika!". He noticed me using his name when I wanted his attention so he is using it the same way.