Some parrot species have an incredible talent for talking and may even learn to talk on their own. However, most other parrots require some level of training before they can utter their first words.
The number of words a parrot can learn and remember also varies depending on the species. Parrots like African greys, budgies, and quaker parrots are known to have an extensive vocabulary. While most parrots can learn words, they might not have the biggest vocabulary.
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Different Parrots And Their Vocabulary
The remarkable ability of parrots to mimic words and talk has made them a sought-after pet. Many people get a talking parrot because of their amusing voice and vocal repertoire. Different parrots have varying vocal capabilities as well as vocabulary.
Budgies
Budgies are skilled talkers, capable of learning words, and long phrases. They are one of the best small parrots that can talk. Because they are social and enjoy interacting, budgies often pick up on speech quite well. Their playful nature makes them talkative around people and entertaining pets.
Budgies hold the Guinness world record for the most extensive bird vocabulary. A budgie named Puck has been listed as the bird with the largest vocabulary, capable of speaking 1,728 words.
While individual budgies may vary in their abilities, many owners share stories of their budgies showcasing impressive vocabularies. On average, trained budgies have a vocabulary of 200-300 words.
African Greys
African grey parrots are great talkers and can learn a large amount of words. They can learn up to 1000 words, which is a testament to their high level of intelligence and good memory. However, they may not always know the meaning of each word they are saying.
The famous African grey parrot named Alex knew only about 100 words, but it could use most of them in context and seemed to show a certain level of understanding. Alex knew three color adjectives, two phrases for describing shapes, nine nouns, and the functional use of the word “no.”
Quaker Parrots
Quaker parrots are precocious birds when it comes to their talking ability. These parrots are born talkers and can learn to talk as early as 5-6 months of age.
Quaker parrots can develop a vocabulary of 50-100 words on average when trained regularly. On their own, they can only learn so much. They mostly pick up sounds and few words. These parrots have a lot of potential and can amass a good vocabulary with training.
Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots are not just good at talking, but they are also remarkable singers. They are among the best singing pet birds out there. Amazon parrots have a vocabulary of 200-250 words on average.
In addition to that they can also develop a repertoire of songs. Their exceptional mimicking skills allow them to sing their own rendition of human songs. Amazon parrots are known to put their spin on human songs as they tend to go off-key, but even then, they sound delightful.
Indian Ringneck Parakeets
Indian ringnecks can build up a vocabulary of 100-200 words. They are one of the best medium-sized talking parrots.
Their squeaky talking voice is adorable and loved by everyone. However, their voice lacks realism compared to some other parrot species. Despite this, their extensive vocabulary and delightful talking style make them popular as entertaining pets.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are not known for being very good at talking. However, they can still learn to say a few words. Typically, cockatiels have a vocabulary of 20-30 words.
Cockatiels are more adept at mimicking sounds than saying words. They are also considered to be talented singers and can learn many songs.
Teaching them songs, rather than words, can be a more successful and enjoyable endeavor as these birds are inclined towards singing. Simply playing songs on repeat allows them to learn the tunes and showcase their musical abilities.
Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots are known for their clear and articulate speech. These parrots are quite intelligent and can learn up to 250 words. They are usually quiet birds and not as talkative as some of the other parrots.
While they may not chat your ear off like others, the words they do say are crystal clear. These birds bring a touch of eloquence to the table, making them unique and fascinating talkers in their own right.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos have an average vocabulary of 10-30 words. They are excellent mimics, but not skilled talkers. Cockatoos can learn a bunch of different sounds, including household noises and human speech. They may not develop large vocabularies, but with training, they can speak some words.
Macaws
On average, macaws have a small vocabulary of 20 to 30 words. Macaws are not very talkative and their words are not always clear, however, they can mimic sounds. Macaws have a raspier voice, which makes their words a bit unclear.
Tips To Teach Your Parrot New Words
Repetition
Repetition is key when teaching words and phrases to parrots. Make sure you are consistent with training and stick to one word before moving to another.
Start With Easy Words
Begin with words that are simple to grasp and are a part of your daily interactions. Common words like “hello,” and “goodbye,” are excellent starting points.
Progressive Approach
As your parrot becomes more comfortable with easy words, gradually introduce new ones. A progressive approach allows them to build on their vocabulary with more difficult words and test their potential. You should also incorporate phrases in their training once they are comfortable with learning words.
Be Patient
When teaching your parrot to talk, it is important to be patient and try to make the training session fun. All parrots learn at different paces, so don’t get discouraged if your parrot has not started talking yet.
