by Michele Marie Friend Metiva

Created on: November 26, 2008   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

Training a parakeet to talk or mimic certain words and short phrases requires a lot of patience and a fresh cheery voice. Parakeets will voice any sound they hear repeatedly making training these birds a relatively easy but time-consuming project. Parakeets or budgies are by nature very social little chatterboxes. Using that innate ability to chatter, a trainer shapes certain sounds that appeal to the parakeet and repeats them until the bird can verbalize the chosen word or phrase on its own.

Repetition and consistency are the basic elements of training a parakeet to talk. Budgies work well with words that contain the 'hard' consonants such as p, g, t, b, and d. With this in mind, a good phrase to begin training would be something like Good Bird or Pretty Bird. Being consistent in training the parakeet requires interactive vocalization at least three or four sessions a day. Each training session should include repeating the desired word or phrase at least four times slowly and cheerfully using the same tone of voice with each repeat.

A good time to have a training session is first thing in the morning while removing the cage cover. Starting the training sessions early in the morning will get one active session completed before the home becomes too busy. It is good to have training sessions when the home is quiet. Each session should only last approximately ten minutes at the most. It is a good idea to turn down the volume on the stereo or television so there is no sound interference during vocalization time.

Another session could occur while passing the birdcage during the day. Stop and repeat slowly the chosen word or phrase in a sweet and carefree voice. Repeat the chosen word or phrase at any time during the day, even from another room, yet within hearing range. Keep it soft and cheerful.

The same idea will work at night while covering the bird for bedtime. Repeat the chosen word or phrase slowly and quietly while covering the cage. This also cues the budgie that it is time to go to sleep. Keeping the bird healthy, alert and attentive during the day requires approximately ten to twelve hours of covered sleep time each night. This quiet covered sleep time also eases any stress that the budgie may encounter during the consistent and repetitive training sessions.

A healthy bird is a happy bird and a happy bird chatters. Keeping the parakeet healthy and happy requires fresh food and water daily. Clean the birdcage once a week and trim the flight feathers for safety reasons. Once a month lightly spray the bird with warm or tepid tap water to keep the plumage healthy and pretty. Placement of the birdcage is also part of a happy bird. Place the cage in an active portion of the home but out of any drafts and away from the fumes of the kitchen.

Soon, during the quiet of the day, when the budgie lightly chatters himself to an afternoon nap, the chosen word or phrase will be heard as part of the parakeet's normal routine chattering. This is the time to praise the parakeet in an exuberant and proud response with a phrase such as You did it, Birdie You did it What a Good Bird!

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