Is there a way to keep my African Grey Parrot quite when I'm on the phone?

Question

Burby is almost 2 yrs old and loves to make noises. I'm guessing that when he has a higher vocabulary he will slow down with all of the squaking. I work out of my home and really need him to be quite when I'm on a business call.

Answer 1

I too have an african grey and work out of my home office. I have my office in a spare bedroom so I can have quiet when on the phone. For the most part, my grey is really quiet. If she does make noise, she is talking to me. I am not a big supporter of covering the cage to keep a bird quiet, so what works for me is teaching my birds a contact word or phrase. Such as 'it's ok' etc. When I am out of the room and they start up, all I have to say is the contact phrase and they repeat it and are quiet.

What also works with my grey is when I am on the phone, to face her and she thinks I am talking to her. Usually she will listen to me talk and every once in a while add a 'uh huh' and 'cool'.

Answer 2

I really like most of these responses. It is really tough to try and make an African Grey quite down when it doesn't want to. Mine especially likes to compete with my TV. Sometimes it is very cute though. For instance, when I am watching FRIENDS, he tends to laugh when they do on TV. Or if its an action film he will "pop" a couple gunshots out.



Sorry, got away from the question. I think your best bet is to cover him up when you are on the phone. If you cover him up when it is time to go to bed then it should work really well.

Answer 3

I like Sweetfeathers response.



I have a "featherbrained" idea....the bird is jealous because you are paying attention to that other bird (the phone) and not him. That phone rings and you go running over to it to give it attention.



Our bird learned to ring the phone and then carry on a conversation with itself...."hello...Borrowed Rainbow...uh huh...ok....uh huh...".



We will either do what Sweetfeather suggest (talk at the bird, give it attention), or give it a treat to occupy it and keep quiet.



Our greys are worst in the mornings....that is when they seem to be most vocal.



Good Luck

Studly (Certified Avian Specialist)

www.borrowed-rainbow.com

Answer 4

Hi..I have a African Grey also and he likes to talk it up when I'm on the phone also..He's not to loud but he does it cause he wants my attention. The only way I get him to stop is if I bring him in the room with me, and then he just listens. I'm not sure if this will stop your bird but it helps me.

Answer 5

I think thats part of owning a bird, but things can be inforced, I breed alot of birds,



When he yells and you yell back, lie shut up he will learn to yell shut up and then you will want him to shut up and he will tell you to shut up. My pet bird is a BF Amazon and instead of yelling he yels, be quiet, be quiet a whole day. becuase my 5 year boy yelled be quiet every time the bird was yelling, allso try to teach him songs and more words so he talks instead of yelling which is not so bad. mine talks when he is alone in the room, all day. he sings a song he learned from a cd I play in his room alot. talk to him in words he should pick up more words.



Also maybe the hours you are on the phone try to keep him away from you.



Good luck

Answer 6

I have two. the best way is to cover him up. That should work. Give him a new toy or move the toys around. Food works too.

Answer 7

put them back in their cage and go into another room, if you give them attention, good or bad , it reinforces the behavior. Good luck!