Just adopted a Grey --need feedback/help

[Hawaiisheila]

Hi

I am new to this. I just recently purchased a Grey congo that is roughly 2 years old. I bought him from a breeder who did not breed him and was selling him for someone else. The grey was around lots of other birds. I am not sure of his history and was just wondering if my grey can learn how to talk being in the environment with my family who is around him and caring for him. I still love the bird even if he never says a word. But my question is can they pick up speech even if they a few years old or do they have to learn it from baby?

Thanks

[Guest Monique]

Kudos to you for adopting an older bird!!! :cheer:

 

Definitely I think he has the ability to learn how to talk. Most likely he is mimicing something (even if it is a door creak vs. speech). As I'm sure you know, in general not all Greys mimic sounds so whether or not he will is anyone's guess. Talking or not - giving your bird an enriching environment I am sure you will see many rewarding changes in him over the next several years... just be patient with yourself, and him . I look forward to hearing your stories as the two of you settle in!!!!!

[Hawaiisheila]

hI

thanks for the reply I appreciate it. I brought him home about a week ago and he was very quiet. The past two days he has been very vocal in the morning while I get ready for work and he seems to do this whistle sequence which is fascinating to me, it sounds like a dog whimpering, then he makes a sound like a chimpanzee and then just various whistles. thanks again

[Moddy]

I'm sure he'll talk He's in a new place and he's not going to be an open book just yet! And well when they are alone is when they talk the most. But after awhile.. He should pick up on what you're saying and start mimicing. My parrot didn't talk at all when he first arrived. Then started saying thing's he used to know and it's been well awhile and not everything has been earsed from his memory of what he used to say but alot has and soon he will start with my slate

[Guest]

Hawaiisheila, welcome to the forum I hope you will enjoy it.

 

Congratulations on your new Congo. He sounds like quite a character. I think he's beginning to get lose a little probably after adjusting to his new environment and the people surrounding him now. How did you call him?

[Hawaiisheila]

Hi

Thanks everyone for the responses, Im so glad I found this forum! My greys name is Xerxes(Zurky for short) and he seems to like the name. I am starting to get worried about the noise factor in the morning. One of my neighbors complained to be and I promised I would try to do something to aleviate the noise it makes every morning. Does anyone know if taking the bird out for a walk would be helpful. Or should I just let it squack. I am not sure what it is doing, if it is wanting attention or wanting to go outside. Is this a normal thing for greys to yell in the morning. All day and night the bird is quiet , though I am wondering if the bird starts to feel more comfortale it may start vocalising all day. Any help with this is appreciated. thanks!

[Guest]

Hawaiisheila, maybe cover his cage overnight and then he knows he can start making noise soon as you undo the cover? I don't know if this is good advise though, it's just what I'm thinking....

 

Zurky is a nice name

[judygram]

Hawaiisheila, covering the cage should keep him quiet until you uncover it, that is the way I do mine. But they do have vocal times and there is not much you can do to keep them from making their calls.

Oh and by the way kudos to you for adopting an older grey as most people would rather get a baby one.

Celery, I'm sure with a lot of time and patience you can make a fine companion with a juvenile grey, although you are getting more problems with one that is plucking its feathers. Try to find out what was going on in the household when it started to pluck to find what is causing it and you can work on that when you bring her home. Good luck to you.