When Do African Greys Begin to Talk?

African Grey birds are one of the most common species of parrots kept as pets. With time and patience, some African Grey birds can learn to mimic the human voice and other noises in its home environment.

  1. Time Frame

    • As a general rule, African Grey birds will begin to talk at 1 to 2 years of age. A few birds can learn to speak at 4 to 6 months old. Some African Grey birds never talk, and some birds do not become vocal, making only household noises.

    Potential

    • The African Grey's learning process for sounds begins with clicks and whistles. Eventually, an African Grey can pick up some human words and begin to try to sound out the words itself. African Greys can pick up a multitude of noises and phrases, ranging from the sound of a telephone to the sound of a toilet flushing to two-way arguments.

    Tips

    • Begin speaking to your African Grey at an early age to help it pick up sounds. African Greys pay attention to an excited and animated tone of voice, so use caution when using colorful language around the bird.