What Bird Is the Easiest to Teach to Talk?

All known as talkers and quick learners, African Grey Parrots, Quakers and two species of Amazons are the easiest to teach to talk. However, a bird's ability to talk should not be the criterion for owning one. Choose your talking bird for its personality because some birds will never be accomplished talkers.

  1. African Grey Parrots

    • The African Grey Parrot

      African Grey Parrots have truly remarkable cognitive powers and talking abilities, which appear at around 1 year of age, according to TheAfricanGreyParrot.com and author Nikki Moustaki. Bursting with character, charm and extraordinary intelligence, the African Grey Parrot is the easiest to teach to talk.

    Quaker Parrot

    • According to Mattie Sue Athan, a companion parrot behavior consultant since 1978 and author of "Guide to Quaker Parrot," Quakers are terrific talkers that often talk by 4 months of age. Quakers have the capacity to mimic human speech and all kinds of sounds. The Quaker's talking may not match the quality of speech found in African Greys and some of the Amazons, but their conversations are easily understood.

    Yellow-naped and Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrots

    • Enjoyable, fun-loving clowns, the Yellow-naped Amazon and Double Yellow-headed Amazon, both sub-species of the Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot, are unsurpassed in talking ability, according to Amazon breeder Debra Morgan. Often described as boisterous and outgoing, Amazons require experienced handlers and patient training for them to reach their full talking potential.