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Post by biteybird on Jan 17, 2017 17:38:13 GMT -5
I am home most of the time at the moment (school holidays) and a few days ago I decided to see if Bonnie could learn to say a word when I ask her to. She knows what "scratch" means and when I say it she dips her head down to get the top of her head scratched (even if she's inside her cage and too far away to reach, LOL - then I say "come closer" and she does). When Bonnie was younger she used to say the "ch" part of "scratch", but she stopped saying it after a while. The other day she was sitting on my shoulder and I spent about 10 minutes saying "scratch" really clearly, then scratching her head immediately after, each time. Then I started saying "scratch", putting my fingers up close to her head, then stopping. I looked at her and said "Bonnie say scratch" and "come on, you can do it". At first she just did a little grumble (you know, that Quaker disgruntled grumble!) but then she did an approximation of the word, which I immediately rewarded by giving her a scratch. Fast forward about another 10 minutes - and she said "scratch" really clearly, twice! The next day we did all this again and she said it three times! I expected that she may forget it (which of course can happen if it's not reinforced on a regular basis). I was in the end room yesterday and Bonnie was in the loungeroom going through her verbal practice routine, which she only does if I'm not in the room. Along with her other words ("good girl Bonnie", "what's going on?", "whatcha doin'?") I heard..."scratch, scratch, scratch, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha".  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 18, 2017 0:14:50 GMT -5
That's pretty impressive.
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Post by biteybird on Jan 18, 2017 2:21:12 GMT -5
Yeah, not bad for about 30-40 minutes of concentrated effort (and LOTS of praise thrown in)...it's been said before, but these quakers are so smart it's scary.  |
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Post by easttex on Jan 18, 2017 5:09:42 GMT -5
I love that shyness about talking. I also see it here with mockingbirds. The juveniles practice their songs quietly, from dense foliage. When they're ready, the songs are so crystal clear they positively ring out. Maybe Bonnie will build up confidence and start yacking your ears off. |
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Post by julianna on Jan 18, 2017 14:54:52 GMT -5
That is one smart little Bonnie. I sure wish Oscar would say words when I ask him to. He knows a lot of them but will never repeat on command. I had read that if I say a word and put my finger up to my mouth.... then repeat the word and put my finger up to Oscar's mouth.... that he would eventually repeat. I say Nope.... I have been doing it for years and all he wants to do is chew my finger nail when I get close to his mouth... lol.
Glad to hear she caught on so quickly. Little smarty pants.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 18, 2017 16:20:36 GMT -5
I notice when I call the dog, Shah says something. Finally figured out he was trying to say "Emma" although it doesn't quite sound like it. He is calling out Monkey Breath while I am typing this. Bonnie has inspired me to try and teach Shah some new words - then maybe he will forget about calling me by that dreadful name |
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Post by beccilouise on Jan 18, 2017 18:30:55 GMT -5
Hahahaha, this is too cute! What a little sweetie Bonnie is (even if she can turn into a raging demon!) Maya is still not talking, though she does make kiss noises and laughs maniacally. She laughs AT things, which is weird...like if she nicks a piece of my dinner and flies to the door frame (not the door, I don't let her sit on those!) where I can't reach her, she'll hold her loot in her foot and laugh at me! They are little monkeys.
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Post by zim on Jan 19, 2017 1:20:19 GMT -5
That's really impressive, way to go Bonnie!
We call head scratches "scritches". For the longest time yoshi would say it back just as "skris". He's finally gotten the hang of pronouncing it, after nearly a year.
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Post by biteybird on Jan 19, 2017 1:43:50 GMT -5
Jan, the Monkey Breath thing still has me in stitches...although I imagine living with it might get tiresome after a while. Beccilouise, Bonnie used to laugh only at things on TV (e.g., women screaming in Sharknado, Vladimir Putin laughing in a news report), but now she does it to be cheeky. Like Maya, it's usually when she's stolen something or nipped one of us - invariably one or more laughing noises follow. Little minx. Hi Zim, yes I'd noticed that you guys in the US say "scritches" and you also say you are "petting" an animal (whereas in Australia we call it "patting"). Interesting, eh? |
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Post by Caseysmom on Jan 19, 2017 19:18:08 GMT -5
Yes languages have always fascinated me, it is very interesting to see how they vary from country to country even when they are speaking the same language Like my favourite store in Canada is Roots.... yet I know that isn't a name someone in Australia would give a store!
If Casey wants her head rubbed she says "tickle tickle". I guess we said that once a long time ago. Maybe they like to learn words that get them a result they like. I tried to get Casey to say merry Christmas or even happy birthday. But I have never been successful. Good for you for getting such fast and good results!
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Post by zim on Jan 19, 2017 19:37:26 GMT -5
Maybe they like to learn words that get them a result they like. I'd say this is true. Yoshi has picked up "you want a treat?" and says it... a lot  |
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Post by biteybird on Jan 20, 2017 0:08:50 GMT -5
Like my favourite store in Canada is Roots.... yet I know that isn't a name someone in Australia would give a store! Funny you should say that. In a Melbourne suburb years ago there used to be a burger shop called 'McTits' that had topless waitresses...  Sorry to lower the tone of the conversation! I'm glad to say I never actually went in there, but several people pointed out the place to me. I don't know if it's still there, but I suspect not. |
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Post by easttex on Jan 20, 2017 5:34:19 GMT -5
Jan, just keep remembering how sweet the sound of "monkey breath" was right after Shah's little sojourn in the wild. Maybe you can learn to love it again. |
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Post by aaron on Jan 24, 2017 11:30:04 GMT -5
Hahaha... that's very cute and impressive on Bonnie's behalf. I do wish I had these communication options with Cupcake. Most of her verbal communication consists of grumpy noises to let us know that she is displeased with the situation or what we're doing.. She loves to "pretend" to talk... she'll make buzzy mumbling sounds as someone else is speaking, especially when she is on the person's shoulder, which is extremely cute... but as far as actually being able to functionally communicate goes, it is almost nonexistent.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 24, 2017 15:02:18 GMT -5
Jan, just keep remembering how sweet the sound of "monkey breath" was right after Shah's little sojourn in the wild. Maybe you can learn to love it again. Very easy for you to say Easttex but I take very good care of my oral hygiene and take offence at being accused of being a Monkey Breath. I never say anything about his breath!!!! He is just plain rude and don't think I should have to take that from Mr Budgie Bottom. |
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Sorry to lower the tone of the conversation! I'm glad to say I never actually went in there, but several people pointed out the place to me. I don't know if it's still there, but I suspect not. 
