Can Eclectus Parrots Talk? How To Teach an Eclectus Parrot to Talk?
Last Updated on July 16, 2023 by Ali Shahid
Whether large or small, parrots are known to be excellent talkers. But not all parrot species are excellent talkers. As we are discussing Eclectus parrots, what can be said about them? Can Eclectus parrots talk?
Yes, Eclectus parrots can talk and are ranked among the top five parrot talkers. Eclectus parrots speak clearly and fluently. The voices they can mimic are similar to those of a young girl, but they can mimic other voices as well. Eclectus parrot owners report that their birds learn 250 words and display excellent reasoning abilities.
When properly cared for, they are very calm and quiet parrots; however, if they are not properly cared for, they may produce annoying sounds. A decibel measurement indicates that Eclectus parrots can produce noises up to 115 decibels. The noise level of an Eclectus parrot is rated six out of ten on the website problemparrots.com.
The screaming, however, only lasts for a short time. So, you don’t need to worry about your neighbors knocking on your door. Most of the time they are quiet and gentle.
Do Eclectus Parrots Talk?
The Eclectus parrot is one of the most talented parrot species when it comes to talking. They are reluctant to make traditional bird noises, such as squawking, screeching, and trilling at high pitches.
However, Eclectus parrots are often very chatty when they mimic words. Eclectus parrots are suitable for those seeking a bird that will converse with them. Unlike other talking parrots, they distinguish themselves by the clarity of their pronunciation.
When they speak, they are able to clearly mimic the sounds that they hear.
At What age do Eclectus parrots start talking?
The Eclectus parrot generally begins to speak around the age of four months, although it may not be able to form clear sentences. Around the time of their first birthday, their mimicry is likely to become more evident.
It takes an Eclectus parrot around 18 months to reach puberty and 2-3 years to reach sexual maturity. It is possible that these changes will affect the way they speak.
Changing hormones and emotions can modify how the Eclectus interacts with its owners, but don’t give up on the relationship. Throughout this period, they may continue to expand their vocabulary.
There is no age limit on learning words with Eclectus parrots. You need not worry if the bird you adopt does not speak yet. As an avian vet, I have noticed that most clients who complained their Eclectus was not talking have now started talking.
Male vs Female Eclectus parrots: Who is better at talking?
Regardless of which gender the Eclectus parrot is, it is an excellent talker. In terms of intelligence and vocabulary learning capacity, they are equally capable.
However, there are some differences between male and female Eclectus parrots that could affect training. In fact, Eclectus parrot males and females differ so greatly that they were initially regarded as separate species.
Eclectus is the name given to them due to the dimorphic coloration between males and females. Their plumage isn’t the only thing that distinguishes them.
Eclectus females are known for their calmness and affection, whereas Eclectus males are more outgoing. Some believe that males are more trainable and easier to work with, whereas females possess a higher level of independence.
Men are often regarded as better pets since they are trainable and outgoing, but it really depends on the individual’s preferences. There is a strong maternal instinct in females and they can be territorial.
Some individuals may find it challenging to train due to their independent nature, but in the end, it shouldn’t affect their bonding abilities. Simply keep your own personality in mind when selecting an Eclectus.
How to Teach an Eclectus Parrot to Talk?
A reputation for shyness is sometimes associated with Eclectus, but that is simply not true. In my experience, Eclectus parrots have some of the best vocabularies in the parrot kingdom when they are calm and comfortable.
It is not difficult to teach your Eclectus to mimic sounds. The only step you need to take consists of introducing those words or sounds in a calm and relaxed environment. Then, have your Eclectus repeat the commands until he is able to mimic them.
The key is patience and time, but if you stick with it, your friend will learn most words. Here is my tried and tested guide to teaching a parrot to talk.
- Established a routine
We all know that to learn something we have to establish a routine. The same is the case with Eclectus Parrot. It’s best to repeat routines and reinforce learning. The first step should be to introduce words through a daily routine.
You can teach your Eclectus what to say and when to say it by incorporating your training into small, regular intervals. Regardless of the time you choose, make sure that you remain consistent.
Your bird will be better able to remember the phrases if it hears them often in connection with specific events or actions.
- Establish a bond
It is generally believed that parrots learn to speak more effectively when they have a close relationship with their owners.
As a rule, Eclectus are prone to stress and will not speak if they are not comfortable with their owners. Feed, talk to, and let your Eclectus fly in a safe environment each day to get to know them better.
- Quiet and calm environment
It is important to provide a relaxed environment for your bird as you prepare for training. The television should be turned off as well as any other distractions. Allow your Eclectus to become accustomed to its new surroundings.
Once they are standing upright on their perch with wide-open eyes, put them back into their cage and allow them to calm down before releasing them.
- Start with Basic Easy Words.
When selecting the first words your Eclectus will use, choose those from your daily routine that will be easy to mimic. Ideally, these words should be short, single words that your bird will be able to practice every day.
It is also a good idea to teach your Eclectus food names in addition to greetings. The majority of their diet consists of fruits and vegetables, so you can tell them what they are eating while you feed them.
Even if that is your ultimate goal, avoid starting with complete phrases or questions. Initially, you should get your bird comfortable with speaking in your home.
- Repetition
Training a parrot is primarily a matter of repetition, so saying things only once or twice is not sufficient. You should repeat the words daily once you have decided which words you wish to teach the parrot.
A trainer could repeat a word several times during a training session, however, using context would be more effective.
So, rather than saying hello several times, express your greeting each time you enter a room. In this manner, the word will be associated with the action, and your parrot will greet you immediately upon entering.
- Same Tone
The Eclectus parrot is an extremely intelligent bird, but it does not understand language like we do.
Unless they have been taught its context, they listen primarily to what a word sounds like. The parrot will be better able to recall specific words if you use the same tone of voice.
For each word and phrase, use a different tone. For some words, you might want to extend the vowels or sing-song to help the parrot learn.
- Rewards
A parrot can be trained to speak in the same way as any other animal. It is most effective when positive reinforcement is used. Give your bird a small treat you only use during training after each successful word they say.
You may use almond slivers, grape bits, or sunflower seeds as a treat. Be sure not to overfeed your Eclectus on seeds and grains by including these in his daily diet.
- Make words actionable
Add actions to individual words to build up phrases. Adding “eat” before the name of an Eclectus food might be a good way to teach them food names. In this way, it will be easier for the bird to construct meaningful phrases one word at a time.
As an example, the word “almond” could be translated into the phrase “eat almond.” If your bird has mastered this, you may even add its name to make it say, “Birdie eats almonds.”
- Structure your training
Once your bird has learned more words, it may be tempting to stop training him each day. It is important to schedule some time for talking every day until they become comfortable and fluent when speaking.
Each training session should include five or six repetitions of the five-for-six words. The same set of words or phrases should be used until your bird is comfortable speaking on its own. If you add too many words too quickly, your bird may become confused.
