Train your Parakeet to Talk

Did you know that you can train your parakeet to talk? That's right, these small birds can learn speech nearly as well as the larger members of the parrot family.

Many people are familiar with the colorful little birds called parakeets, or "budgies." These birds are very intelligent and playful, and can be taught to do tricks. Many parakeets will also pick up sounds and words and repeat them.

Some budgies need some patience and encouragement, while others may naturally learn without much work on your end. You may one day hear your telephone ringing, only to realize that there's no one on the other end other than a playful parakeet mimicking the phone ring. Or your parakeet may never talk no matter how hard you try. How easy or difficult teaching your parakeet to talk will be depends largely on his personality.

Before you start teaching your budgie to talk, you will want to have it hand-tamed and comfortable around you. It also helps if you have only one parakeet (once they find a mate, they have eyes only for each other! You will just be that awkward third wheel and that's never fun). Male parakeets are also more vocal, so you might have a better chance of getting them to talk.

That's enough chatter - let's teach your parakeet to talk!

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   Be patient

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   It can take a while before a parakeet says its first word.

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2. 2
   Repetition is key

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   Start the training process by going up to the cage and just saying "hello" - or whatever word or phrase you want your parakeet to learn. Repeat this word every time you're near the cage.

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3. 3
   Start small

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   Only teach one or two words at a time. Too many words at a time may confuse your parakeet, or not be picked up as readily.

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4. 4
   Start easy

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   Small words like hello, goodnight, or even hi are good places to start.

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5. 5
   Reward progress

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   Give your Budgie a treat when he does try to talk. Budgies enjoy millet, but your bird may also like healthier treats like apple slices or broccoli. Find out what your budgie's favorite treat is - a yummy treat is a great motivator.

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It's difficult to train a bird properly unless you gain its trust first. Birds may not be as openly affectionate as dogs and cats, but they also form a strong bond that can only be forged through trust and a lovingly crafted relationship.

Here are some tips for earning your bird's trust:

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   Allow them to get into the groove

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   Make your bird comfortable with his new environment. This is the first thing you do when you bring him to your home. Just like with people, you need to make a good "first impression" so you have a better chance to develop a bond during your initial encounter.

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2. 2
   Be there for the bird when it needs you

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   Naturally, it will not feel at ease the first time it steps into a new environment. This is your chance to be there for it. Don't just leave your bird alone all day - interact with it, make sure it's fed and comfortable, and just spend some time near the cage when you can. You can't expect to get results right away. This takes time, so be patient.

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3. 3
   Take time to know your bird

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   Be a keen observer as soon as you put it in its cage. Closely observe the things it likes doing, its key characteristics and its unique behaviors. Also try finding out the things it doesn't like, or things that agitates or frightens it. You may notice, for instance, that your parakeet is uncomfortable with you too close to the cage. Take your cue and keep a comfortable distance. Decrease this distance little by little until your bird doesn't mind you being near it.

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4. 4
   Give it time to adjust

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   Your parakeet may become easily overwhelmed if you introduce it to other people and animals immediately. Try doing this gradually. Introduce one animal or person at a time so it will have a chance to get used to them. Even if you think your pet cats or dogs are friendly, the birds may be frightened and panic around them.

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5. 5
   Provide it with some alone time

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   Allow your bird some time to be alone. Let it play and give it a pleasant and happy environment, where it will not just merely exist, but will truly live and thrive as well. The happier your bird is, the easier it will be for you to bond with and train it.

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The importance of good nutrition for your pet bird cannot be over-emphasized. Just like people and other animals, you cannot expect your bird to be at its training best unless it's being fed well and provided with balanced nutrition.

Know that giving a bird water and seeds is simply not enough. Not only do you need to give it nutritious food, but you also have to make sure that the food is safe and tasty. It's recommended that you give birds about 1% treats, seed and calcium, 5% meat and dairy, 45% fruits and veggies, and the highest percentage is the grain products, constituting 50%.

Here is an example of some of the best foods you may want to try:

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   Whole Grains

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   These will give your bird the much needed proteins and carbs, vitamins and minerals. There are numerous products available on the market that you can choose from; just make sure you're getting whole grain, not white. Low-salt bagels, tortillas, berries, and low-salt crackers are recommended.

   
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