African Grey Question

Hi All Birdie Lovers! I have a Congo that is 6 months old... should he be starting to talk yet? He just whistles and peeps a lot.. and makes baby noises when I am near. I always talk to him. Am I expecting him to talk to soon? Just curious.... I think he is a smarty pants and he is just holding out on me. Probably talks a storm to the dogs and the 'Too while I am at work. Angel J

Every bird is different just like we are all different. A lot of Greys are talking by now but they are also always learning so he could just be a late talker. I have several birds including a Quaker which they say usually talk while still hand feeding. Well my Pickles didn't talk till probably 9 months or so. Keep talking to him and he'll come around if he is going to be a talker. If he never talks though remember to love him for the wonderful bird I'm sure he is! Enjoy your sweet little guy!! Janice 258/149-153

Thanks for your reply Janice. If Lil Chicklet never uttered a word I would love him just the same. I just know that little grey noodle of his working it all out. He is such a sweet little guy I love him.... ! Angel J

My grey didn't really start making understandable words until he was almost a year old. Now at 12yrs old he talks up a storm (as well as many sounds) You will find your baby soon imitating everyone in the house as well as any other animals in the house. Bobbie loves to call the cat and loves to watch T.V. Good luck with your baby. Teresa S.

Thank you for your reply! I "think" he was "trying" to speak today. I think he is working it all out. I cannot wait until he speaks. But if he never does I will love him no less than I do already. He is my BABY BOY! At least I "think" he is a boy.. he has a squarish head.. the males are supposed to be flat square heads and the hens the rounder smaller heads... at least that is what my Grey book says. I "discovered" birds 3 years ago. I cannot imagine life without them now. They are so wonderful! Thanks again for the info. Hugs Angel J

Unfortunatly, I was told by a avian vet that the only way to tell for sure the sex of your bird is to have it sexed. The good thing he told me that I'll pass on to you is that you can feed them anything you eat except chocolate, avocotoes, and tomatoes (so nothing with tomato sauce); otherwise if you are eating something and your bird shows interest feel free to share. My birds love cheese, hard boiled eggs, veggies, licorice amoung other things. You shouldn't feed your bird just seed (I had to explain that one to my mother; she has ****ateels.) Toiletpaper tube stuffed with shredded paper makes for a cheap toy for your baby to play with. As I'm sure you have found out by now they love to tear things up. And when toys cost as much as $20 it's interesting finding inexpensive ways to keep them occupied. Rawhide sticks are fun to watch them play with as well. Teresa

TP tubes stuffed w/ paper! What a GREAT IDEA!!! Thanks! My 'Too and Grey will LOVE that! Rawhide sticks for foot toys! Yes! Toys are spendy... Thanks for the great tips! Angel J

Wow Sandra! That is AMAZING. I know these birds are extremely intelligent. That is what makes me love them so. I just know Chicklet will be talking soon. he is really trying hard. I sing and talk to him all the time. Thanks for your info... Hugs Angel J LOS

I think I read most greys don't start until 1 - 1.5 years out and it's sex may make a difference too. Mine is a male and he started probably at just under a year old and has never shut up since! Actually, he can be very quite for hours but at other times he tried to get attention. Whenever someone walks in the door he starts mimicking things they say in their own voice. My mom and dad get a real kick out of that. I work from home often and his cage is in my home office and he might be quite for hours but as soon as I get on the phone it's like he competes with me. The people on the other end, usually co-workers, really have fun with it too. What funny is if I pick up the phone to dial it or if it rings, he'll make the sound of the phone ringing and then say hello in my wife's voice. He then goes through this jabbering conversation which is obviously one-sided as that is what he hears. He keeps throwing in "OK" throughout the jabber too. Finally, he'll say "OK, Bye Bye Now" and then make the sound of the phone hanging up and start the whole routine over again. It's hilarious and he does it all the time but only when the phone rings or someone gets on it. Too funny!

I have had my Grey for 22 years, but he was about 5 when I got him, so I missed his baby years. I have also heard that Greys don't start talking til they are 1 - 1 1/2 years old. The cute thing about them is that they will "practice" a word first. You will hear them saying a new word very softly, like they want to make sure they can say it right beforethey say it out loud. I know my bird is a male because I had him DNA tested, but in an older bird, the males tend to have red around their vent area.  I also believe that the males talk better than the females, although some people don't think so. Give your bird another year and it will be talking like crazy, my bird says about 350 words and phrases.