Speech-Training in a Normal Voice

[Mingus]

One youtube video shows a grey that is very hard to understand. The reason becomes clear when you hear the owner talking in a goofy (sort of annoying) tone with the bird. Another video shows a Red-bellied poicephalus (not famous for clarity) speaking very clearly. The owner speaks in an animated, but very normal voice to her bird. Older books tell you to talk to your bird in a high voice when teaching speech. I say baloney! Be nice, happy, and enthusiastic, but use your real voice. Otherwise your bird only learns to communicate in ridiculous, silly tones. Poor bird! My Timneh is capable of reproducing all of my human pitches, my Jardines is quickly learning to do the same.

[danmcq]

Dangit! I guess I need to drop the Mickey Mouse voice then.

Thanks for sharing this Mingus. :-)

[katana600]

Oh dear Dan, I thought that WAS your normal voice. Oops :S Just kidding. I didn't talk baby talk to my kids but it just isn't my character. Mainly I think our birds are like my husband... let it go in one ear and out the other unless there is strong emotion.

[JillyBeanz]

I do speak to Harvey more animated - but I don't think I could stop it! Say, when I come downstairs in the morning - I don't just mutter "morning" in the way I will to the first person I see - I say "Good morning baby, how are you today" - in the way I would speak to a toddler! I don't think I can change it though!

I must say - my "human" voice - will be well recognisable - when he starts saying phrases such as "Harvey no", "Harvey stop it", "Harvey no" and "Harvey, naughty boy"!!!! :laugh:

[luvparrots]

I have a little girl's voice (I assume because when I answer the phone everyone what's to talk to my "mommy") so Ana Grey's voice is hers, kind of gravelly, cute and gravelly that is. :laugh:

[Mingus]

Thanks for all of your responses. Whatever type of voice you have, my point is, IT IS ALREADY PERFECT! When people try to modify their voice to sound more "parroty", that is when the poor bird is stuck trying to imitate some ridiculous sound. The effect is usually the exact opposite from that intended (which is presumably to help the bird speak more clearly). It's much more fun when people just relax and be themselves, letting their birds also be themselves.

[Goerge]

hi at what age are they start talking myne is making sounds im talking to him alot se is 6 months now

[pat]

frosty will end up with a brummy accent ,lol

[JillyBeanz]

pat wrote:

frosty will end up with a brummy accent ,lol

Oh Pat, poor Frosty :laugh: Have you thought about sign language to save him from this fate (and before anyone else says it - this is coming from a Geordie!!!!) :laugh:

[pat]

lol i love the geordie accent .