OK, Vanya has said his first word. Zhorichka. It is the name of one of his cyber buddies. I was very surprised that that is the word that he learned first. It is NOT the word he hears most often. Or any of the words that all but one of his friends say.
If I say it to him, he will say it back. I did find a video where the girl says other words and the budgie answers that same word back. I interspersed that one frequently (now) (just found it a couple days ago).
I am ELATED that he is able to say anything at all at this early stage. He is just starting his baby molt. So, he is quite young. I have great confidence in his speaking ability. He still has stripes down to his cere, but is starting to get white adult feathers to replace those. Just starting to.
He says his friend's name clearly. So, he has good speaking ability.
My question is how to encourage other words? I have been clicker training in general. Would it help to keep reinforcing the one word? Such as, keep a clicker handy - and click treat him when he says it? (the one word he says?) Would that help to let him know that I want him to mimic speech?
I have heard/read that as he matures, his ability to speak is often improved. I can tell by the tone he is trying to say other words. They are just not clear yet.
I have only had him for about 2 months 13 days. So, I am totally elated that he says anything. At this early stage.
If I say it to him, he will say it back. I did find a video where the girl says other words and the budgie answers that same word back. I interspersed that one frequently (now) (just found it a couple days ago).
I am ELATED that he is able to say anything at all at this early stage. He is just starting his baby molt. So, he is quite young. I have great confidence in his speaking ability. He still has stripes down to his cere, but is starting to get white adult feathers to replace those. Just starting to.
He says his friend's name clearly. So, he has good speaking ability.
My question is how to encourage other words? I have been clicker training in general. Would it help to keep reinforcing the one word? Such as, keep a clicker handy - and click treat him when he says it? (the one word he says?) Would that help to let him know that I want him to mimic speech?
I have heard/read that as he matures, his ability to speak is often improved. I can tell by the tone he is trying to say other words. They are just not clear yet.
I have only had him for about 2 months 13 days. So, I am totally elated that he says anything. At this early stage.