Clever-Parrot.com

Welcome to Clever Parrot

We are all fascinated with birds that can talk. Not only are parrots beautiful in color and movement, but the very fact that they can speak captures our attention in a way that few other birds can do.

Parrot's ability to talk or mimic is related to their gregarious nature. Parrots have a long life span and are very social. In the wild, parrot chicks learn to mimic vocalizations specific to their parents. As they play or work together, these parrots repeat vocalizations to each other, which helps keep bonds strong.

There are many different types of parrots, each with an interesting history and unique personality. With so many to choose from, it is important that before going out and buying just any parrot, you know as much as possible about the specific breeds available.



On this site we will firstly look at the different species of parrots available. Where you can buy your parrot and how best to pick which one is right for you. We are then going to take a close look at how you can establish a relationship with your parrot.

You will then learn how to set up your parrots optimal environment, taking into account what cages, grooming, diet, toys etc. After this you are going to discover a variety of techniques you can put into practise to get your parrot to talk, including reproducing human speech.
Getting Your Parrot to Talk continued......

The Model/Rival (M/R) Technique

This primary training system is based on a protocol developed by Dietmar Todt, a German Ethologist interested in social learning in parrots, and on the work of Albert Bandura, an American Psychologist studying how social modeling affects learning. M/R training involves three-way interactions between two humans and the avian student and used primarily to intro duce new labels and concepts, but also to shape pronunciation. Unlike this modeling procedure, this protocol involves repeating the interaction while reversing the roles of the human trainer and model, and occasion ally includes the bird in the interactions. This protocol shows the bird that the interaction is indeed a "two-way street": Since the same person does not always ask or respond to the questions, the bird sees that the procedure can be used to make changes in his environment.

ACTION PLAN:
During M/R training, you will demonstrate how the label is to be used. In a typical interaction where the bird is on its gym, cage or the back of a chair, it will observe two humans handling an object in which it has already shown some interest. The bird will watch one human act as a trainer of the second human; this second person acts as a model for the bird's responses and as its rival for the trainer's attention. You as the trainer will present an object, ask questions such as "What's here?" "What color?" "What shape?" and then give praise and the object itself as a reward for a correct answer.

Disapproval for incorrect responses is demonstrated by scolding and temporarily removing the object from sight causing the bird to observe the effects of an error. The model is asked to try again if the identification was wrong or to speak more clearly if the response was (deliberately) incorrect or garbled.

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