Just like any other kind of humor, it’s not just what your bird says but how and when he says it. And so, even the simplest of phrases can turn into something hilarious if your parrot says it at the right time and with the right tone.
However,
Training a parrot to be funny will take a lot of time and patience on your behalf.
But it sure will be worth it!
And it’s also a great way of building a special bond with your parrot
In this article you’re going to discover
- How to make your parrot fun
- What you can teach your parrot to say
- What is the easiest word for a bird to say?
- Funny awesome things to teach your parrot!
- What is the easiest parrot to train?
So if you’re interested in making your parrot more entertaining and to spend some quality time teaching your parrot to do certain things then you’re going to love this article!
It’s a great way to show off to guests too because I’m sure they will be surprised at how funny your parrot can be!
Make sure to let me know in the comments what funny words you have taught your parrot to say – I’d love to know!
Sound good?
Let’s get started!
How Do I Make My Parrot Fun?
By investing one-on-one quality time with your parrot.
Why?
Well, to make your parrot fun, you need to know:
Why your parrot behaves the way he usually does?
For starters, parrots speak out of peer pressure rather than their love for human language.
You see, parrots in the wild live within flocks that provide them with information regarding food resources and potential threats.
And so, it’s only natural that parrots need to communicate with each other through specific ‘Contact Calls’.
However, most caged birds lack a flock.
Therefore, they try to make contact calls with their human owners.
Since humans don’t speak parrot language, your parrot is desperate to communicate which means they end up imitating human language.
This also explains why a single parrot is more likely to speak than a pair.
As the primary purpose of imitating speech is to get your attention, therefore,
Parrots take special notice of voices that matter to you or excite your tone.
For instance, a parrot may mimic a microwave beep simply because you always hurry towards its sound.
Similarly, parrots imitate words you say with vigor or passion.
Let’s look at how you can train your birdie to be more fun
- Shift your parrot to a quieter place for training, so neither of you gets distracted.
- Repeat whatever you want to hear, but with excitement.
- Give your parrot treats whenever he mimics your intended speech, to positively reinforce his actions.
- Set up cues such as pointing or spinning a finger, right before the phrase. This way you can control your bird’s timing.
- Be exceptionally clear with your enunciation as birds are vocal learners.
- Be extremely patient with your bird.
- Set up a training schedule, so as not to exhaust your parrot.
While there are several training CDs and coaches available, there is no substitute for one-on-one training.
Why?
Because your parrot wants ‘Your Attention’ and performs tasks only because they matter to ‘YOU’.
Let’s look at what you can teach your parrot to say and I mean funny things!
What Can I Teach My Parrot To Say?
Almost anything, from greetings to knock-knock jokes.
However, humor is more about timing than anything else.
Even a single word like “What?” can turn into a joke if said at the appropriate time.
Lucky for us, parrots easily pick on the situational cues.
Do remember though – training does take time but will be worth the effort!
Here are seven of my favorite phrases for a parrot to say:
1. Help! They Turned Me into a Parrot.
This joke neither gets too old nor less funny.
Also, it works for all age groups.
Most birders suggest that you teach one word at a time.
While I partly agree that it eases the teaching process.
However, in my experience, the bird will end up fragmenting the joke.
Which is why
I recommend you teach the whole sentence at a time.
2. Bless You!
Timed right after a sneeze, a “bless you” coming from your parrot will not only lighten your mood but will likely make you laugh from ear to ear.
3. That’s it! I am calling the cops!
This will probably stop a whole room full of people in their tracks.
And then, with the apprehension of a bird saying that will make everyone crack up.
4. What Ya Doing?
This one doesn’t even need to be timed.
A parrot asking “what Ya doing?” with a bit of suspicious tone may startle and make you laugh!
5. NooooOOOOooo!!
I have known a bird that would respond with a dramatic “Nooooo!” every time its owner said, “We are not going shopping.” Or “Storytime is finished.”
While it’s quite hilarious, but you don’t want your bird to say ‘no’ all the time.
So, I recommend you set up some special cues like touching its beak right before asking the question you want a “no” from.
6. I Love You Three Thousand!
If you are a Marvel fan, then this one will be the endgame for you.
This will not only make you laugh but also love your parrot a little more.
7. Vatican Cameos!
Of course, the term is related to an armed person entering the vicinity.
Also, with the BBC version of Sherlock.
Timed with your parrot relieving itself, this phrase can be both improper and decent at the same time.
Most people choose “Bombs! Away!” or “Poop on its way”.
But over time, such phrases may sound distasteful.
Also, a bird may never rid itself of the habit.
That said, you may have to train your bird harder for this joke.
8. Others
Depending on your choice of humor, you can teach your bird several jokes.
These may be:
- Animal mockery such as meowing like a cat, barking like a dog, or roaring like a lion.
- Greetings as conventional as “Hello”, “Hi”, “Nite-Nite”, or “Good morning”.
This may also be something unusual like “Oh La La” or perhaps the host from Aladdin movie saying,
“Salam and Good Evening to You, Worthy Friend”.
- Quotes from your favorite books and shows, like:
- You are a Wizard Harry (Harry Potter).
- Cute and cuddly boys, cute and cuddly (Penguins of Madagascar).
- We were on a Break (Friends).
Now, you may be wondering:
What Is The Easiest Word For a Bird to Say?
The word a bird most commonly hears.
Usually, it’s “Hello” because most people greet their birds that way.
Unlike humans, birds produce sounds by changing the shape of their trachea and controlling wind flow in syrinx via tongue motion.
That said, most birds can easily speak words with one or two syllables.
However,
The absence of lips makes it harder for parrots to pronounce bilabial consonants, ‘P’ and ‘B’.
Eventually, it comes down to how much a parrot gets to practice a single word.
Check out my articles
How do parrots talk without lips?
Do parrots know what they are saying?
And if your parrot is not talking for some reason you may find my article My parrot is not talking really helpful so make sure to check it out
Word of Caution
Training your parrot is an exclusive bonding time, but it may also be quite exhaustive.
Here are few things you must consider while training your bird:
1. Lowering Expectations
While most parrots are easily trained within months. However,
A parrot is still a tiny bird.
And so, there is still a possibility that your bird may never respond to you.
Therefore, no matter how much time and energy you invest in your parrot, keep your expectations low.
2. Patience
You must be extremely patient and gentle with your bird.
Because your parrot is still a living breathing bird, with its own needs and mood swings.
Therefore, it does not matter how excited you are about training your bird.
You do not have the right to exhaust your bird or flick his beak as a punishment.
If anything, this behavior is animal cruelty and may cause you to lose your bird’s trust.
3. Profanity
Since birds pay special attention to excited voice notes, therefore,
Parrots are exceptionally prone to profanity.
While that may be funny at times, however, if anything it is rude and improper.
Also, it counts as animal abuse because your bird does not even know what it’s saying.
Don’t teach your bird rude words or swears especially if you have children in the house
Be mindful what you say in front of your parrot
4. Flirting and Kissing
We all love our birds, but flirting is not the way to express it.
If anything, flirting will bring you unprecedented amounts of embarrassment.
You wouldn’t want a bird to hop onto you and speak in some lewd seductive tone, while in a room full of people.
He may even go overboard because he will likely be jealous of your attention.
The other issue is you demanding your bird to peck your lips.
While that may be cute and lovely for you.
However, in a world where we are already dealing with a pandemic, kissing your bird is a bit absurd.
Because you don’t know what health hazards you will transfer to your bird.
Your bird doesn’t have to be bawdy or rude to be fun.
So, I present to you:
Funny Things To Teach Your Parrot
The training usually involves you using a treat to lure in your bird to do something.
Then feed your parrot its favorite treat and over time, replacing the treat with a gentle stroke.
The parrot’s name must be used in training with each command.
For instance, if a bird is named “Max”. Then, “Come Max” will command the parrot to come to you no matter where it is.
When Max comes to you, you must feed him his favorite treat, or gently caress him.
This positive feedback will reinforce this behavior.
Here are few fun tricks you can teach your birdie
| Command | Trick | Instructions |
| Fetch | Parrot brings you a small object. | Put a small object close to your bird. When he picks it up, take it from him declaring it as Fetch. Then, give him a treat.
Over time, change the distance to the object. |
| Spin | Parrot spins with the motion of your hand. | Use a treat to make your bird turn gradually 360 degrees and then treat him declaring it as spin. |
| Wave and Shake Hand | Parrot waves at you or shake your hand. | When your bird puts his feet on you while stepping up, gently shake it while declaring it as a handshake. Then feed your bird.
Use the same trick, but don’t let your bird touch your hand, and declare this as a wave. |
| High Five | Parrot gives you a high-five. | Tap your finger against bird’s feet and call it a High-five. Then treat him. |
| Tunnel | Parrot walks through hoops. | When he walks through a hoop give him a treat declaring it as Tunnel. |
| Bat Flip | Parrot turns upside down on a perch, like a bat. | Using a treat make your bird walk and flip upside down. Call it Bat Flip then treat him. |
| Eagle Wings | Parrot raises all its wings. | Gently stretch your bird’s wings and declare this as Eagle wings, then give your parrot a treat. |
| Drop-dead | Parrot lies down on your cue. | Make the bird perch on your finger and then lay him on his back. Declare this as Drop-dead and treat him. |
| Bow Down | Parrot bows down. | Feed your bird food and when he lowers his body call it ‘bow down’. |
| Peek a Boo | Parrot hides. Then, comes out saying ‘Peek a boo’. | Put some cover between you two, and when the bird raises up, call it ‘Peek a boo’ and feed him a treat. |
| Games | Ball hoop, Pinballs, Hoops on a stick | Show him the trick. Whenever your bird performs a task, give him a treat. |
I suggest you:
- Keep training sessions short.
- Fix a routine timing.
- Don’t exhaust your bird with treats.
Now, all that training sounds like a lot of work but it can be very rewarding!
What Is The Easiest Parrot To Train?
That depends on how much you are willing to invest in your bird.
Normally, African Grey Parrots are considered the most intelligent learners.
However, it may be because they are the only birds studied extensively for their cleverness.
Here is a list of the easiest parrots to train:
| Parrot | Size | Reason for Fame | Pros | Cons |
| African Grey | 410g weight; 13-inch height; 20-inch wingspan; grey color. | The smartest parrots with the cognitive ability of a 5-year-old human. | Speaking, shape, and color recognition can also count. | Independent but demanding, not much cuddly. |
| Macaws | 1-2 Kg weight; 34-inch height; 43-inch wingspan; Deep blue to yellow. | Social, vocal, and captivating. | Intelligent tricks and speech. | Loud squawks; territorial; requires large space, commitment, and expensive food. |
| Amazons | 600g weight; 10-20 inches height; 14-16 inches wingspan; mostly green, red, or yellow. | Most human-like speech. | Words can barely be discerned from human speech. | Requires spacious cages and superior mental stimulation. |
| Cockatoos | 300-1200g weight; 12-24 inches height; 40-inches wingspan; black, gray, or white with yellow or pink splotches. | Endearing birds. | Loving and cuddly birds, easily trained for tricks. | Must limit the socialization otherwise, the bird may panic without their owner. |
| Eclectus Parrots | 440g weight; 12-inches height; 14-inches wingspan; Brilliant emerald with orange beaks. | Eye-catching and Intelligent. | Excellent memory, logical reasoning, and learning potential; can even unlock doors. | Not easy to handle for beginners, not much cuddly. |
| Budgies | 30-40 g weight; 7-inch height; 12-inch wingspan; light green or blue with black mantle markings. | Holds the record of the most learned words. | Easy to keep, relatively inexpensive, amusing. | Need strict time schedules, excessively aggressive during the breeding seasons. |
| Indian Ringneck Parrots | 115g weight; 16-inches height; 16-inches wingspan; Yellow, green, or blue with Rose-colored neck rings. | Revered as mystic birds as they mimic prayers of worshippers. | Can learn more than 250 words with clear pronunciation; low maintenance. | May easily become biters. |
| Monk Parakeet | 100g weight; 12-inches height; 18-inches wingspan; Green with gray face and breast. | Excellent singers. | comical, fun-loving personalities; long-lasting memories. | Demanding nature. |
While these birds are considered the easiest parrots to train.
Do remember each parrot has a unique personality.
An African grey can be cuddly while a cockatoo may be aggressive and independent.
Therefore, it is always more about how much you are willing to give your bird.
Wrapping Up
You can train your bird to be funny by repeating phrases you want to hear.
Or, by giving them treats when they obey your desired behaviors.
A bird will remember all those tricks that result in a treat or your gentle strokes.
While a few parrots are famous for their intelligence and ease of training.
However, there is no shortcut to train your bird.
So being extremely patient and gentle with your bird is very important
But it is definitely worth the time and effort you put in
Don’t forget the special bond you are creating with your parrot when you’re training them