Parrots are loved and appreciated for their dazzling plumage, their intelligence, and of course, their ability to mimic human speech.
However, there are times when parrot owners are left scratching their heads at their bird’s sudden vow of silence.
So what is the reason why your parrot is not speaking?
In short
The truth is, there may be several logical reasons behind your feathery friend’s reluctance to chatter, such as illness/pain, being in new surroundings, the presence of a predator, or an abrupt change in its vicinity.
Before you start getting too anxious – relax.
We’ve got you covered with our parrot-centric feature.
Read on the learn more about why your parrot may not be speaking and what you can do about it.
What to expect from this article?
You’re going to discover the following
- Why has your bird stopped talking?
- Can a parrot lose their voice?
- How you can make your parrot talk?
- How do you know if your parrot is stressed?
In short you’re going to learn everything about parrots and why they may have stopped talking!
Sound good?
Let’s get started!
Why Has My Bird Stopped Talking?
It’s natural for parrot enthusiasts to get a little apprehensive when their hootin’ tootin’ bird goes on silent mode.
It can almost feel like your parrot isn’t even there anymore.
But, typically, your bird will turn silent due to explainable reasons.
That’s why it’s essential to identify the source of your parrot’s distress – so that things (and your parrot) can return to their noisy normal state in no time.
Here are some of the usual culprits behind why parrots stop talking.
Illness/Pain
Think about it like this, do you remember a time when you weren’t feeling well and wanted senseless chatter surrounding you?
That’s probably a hard no.
Humans tend to withdraw into themselves at the slightest discomfort – until they’re better and ready to join the world again.
Similarly, parrots can stop speaking if they’re ill or experiencing pain in some form.
Despite having the power of speech, your parrot is unlikely to tell you about its illness.
In which case, you should thoroughly examine your bird’s feathers and eyes.
If your parrot appears dull and its feathers look lackluster – it’s best to take your pet to a specialist vet (aka avian veterinarian) to get your birdie the help it deserves.
Regardless, the first thing you should as soon as you realize your parrot has stopped talking or is not acting normal, take them to the vets just to be on the safe side
New Surroundings
Changing homes can throw off even the most stoic of people.
So, you can well imagine what shifting to a new location will do to your pet.
If you’ve recently changed homes, your parrot’s silence may be related to the new surroundings.
There’s not much you can do in this situation except giving your pet the time and space it needs to get used to your new home.
You can also try coaxing your parrot to normalcy by treating it to its favorite food.
Spending time with your parrot and reassuring your birdie that everything is okay will certainly help too
Predator Lurking Nearby
Even though your parrot lives indoors with an extra layer of protection (aka the cage) – it’s just as vulnerable to reacting to a predator’s presence as it would in the wild.
The survival instinct of animals isn’t something that can be eliminated in captivity.
So, whenever your pet parrot stops speaking abruptly, look for the presence of a predator (like a bird of prey) lurking outside the window – right in your parrot’s line of vision.
If you do spot a bird outside, draw the curtains to make your parrot relax a little.
An Abrupt Change In The Vicinity
You may think you have carte blanche to redecorate your home the way you want – but your parrot may have other ideas.
Plus, any changes you make around the vicinity of your pet’s cage don’t even have to be substantial to meet your feathered friend’s disapproval.
Anything from shifting a vase to moving the cage itself can be enough to throw your birdie off and move it to silence as it adjusts to the change.
If you can live without the modification you’ve made – put everything back in its original place to get your parrot back to its usual chatty self.
If the changes you’ve made are necessary, you may have to wait a bit for your pet to adjust to the alteration.
But, most of the time, your bird will be back to its cheery self in a few days.
What if there is nothing wrong with your parrot?
You may be wondering – what if your parrot has their voice?
Let’s find out if this can actually happen
Carry on reading..
Can a Parrot Lose Their Voice?
Parrots suffering from tracheal disease can lose their voice.
Tracheal disease can often result from upper or lower respiratory problems in birds and can be identified if your parrot starts making cough-like or gurgling sounds.
Other symptoms may include rapid open-mouth breathing and tail bobbing.
It’s crucial to get your parrot to the avian vet as soon as you hear the cough-like sounds to get your pet the necessary treatment.
This will also help ensure your parrot has a faster recovery time.
Note that delayed treatment for tracheal disease can also lead to heart problems and should be treated as soon as possible.
How Can I Make My Parrot Talk?
Making or teaching your parrot to talk can be an exciting experience.
However, the first step of the process is getting your pet to bond with you – before anything else.
Once you’ve managed to get your feathery friend to trust your presence – start by picking a few short words you want to teach your parrot.
Next, repeat those words and phrases to your parrot as often as you can.
This process may take a little time and patience – but all be worth it when your parrot says its first word.
Don’t give up or be discouraged if your pet isn’t a chatter box within a few days.
Remember, your pet is adjusting to a new experience too, and will need time before it starts picking on the words you keep repeating.
Make sure you don’t say words that will cause you embarrassment if it’s repeated by your parrot in front of guests!
Related articles
Do parrots know what they are saying?
How do parrots talk without lips?
How Do I Know If My Parrot Is Stressed?
Believe it or not, parrots are pretty vulnerable to stress, and the slightest things can set them off.
Thankfully, you can tell whether or not your pet is distressed by looking out for the following warning signs:
- Feather picking (self-mutilation)
- Reduced appetite or loss of appetite
- Aggressive tendencies
- Change in the way your pet vocalizes
- Stress Bars (horizontal lines that run across the shaft of your parrot’s feathers)
If your parrot is showing signs of stress, it’s essential to figure out the source of contention to allow your pet the chance to unwind.
Also, be extra-gentle when talking or handling your pet during this time.
You can also try taking your bird out of the cage for a few minutes if that’s something that your parrot likes.
Wrapping Up
Parrots can stop speaking for various reasons, such as shifting to a new home, the presence of a predator nearby, an illness, etc.
However, more often than not, your pet’s reluctance to speak may also be accompanied by signs of stress.
That’s why it’s imperative to discover the source of your parrot’s anxiety and silence – so that you can get rid of it and help your pet get back to normal.