I got my little quaker Kiwi when he was a few months old and have had him for two years now. After reading some information about quakers online, I couldn't help but wonder why Kiwi isn't talking yet. He also has a bad habit of squwkaing when the sun comes up. This is especially annoying this time of year since the sun rises much earlier than I get up. Does anyone know why he doesn't talk or keeps squwaking? I'd really appreciate some help.

Welcome to the forum!

Although Quakers are famous for their fantastic talking abilities, some just don't talk. Or some talk but only when you're not around/not home and are dubbed "closet talkers". Some people even set up cameras when they leave to see if they really do talk. But some just don't... there are a few members on the forum who have non-talkers.

As for the squawking, all birds squawk when the sun comes up. Even the ones outside... do you cover Kiwi's cage during the night? Casey can usually hold off her squawking until someone gets up and she hears movement, but there is the odd day when she starts earlier!

Hope that helps! Welcome!

Casey's Mom is absolutely correct, Not all birds who have the capabilities choose to talk. But they are still very lovely entertaining pets anyway. You might try putting meaning to actions and things Like when you feed him Ask him are you hungry, want something to eat etc. and then give him some food. When you change his water do the same. Are you thirsty, want some clean water... When you get up in the morning and check on him for the first time, Tell him "good Morning" How are you. When you put him to bed, tell him , Night Night or its time for bed. etc. I don't sit and just repeat things to my birds, I carry on conversations or we'll sing songs And I sing different songs not just the same one over and over, So you might try showing meaning for what your saying so he can associate the words to actions or objects.

As far as the squawking in the mornings, That's what birds do. They are waking up their flock calling everyone in to get up and get on with your (their day) Its their way of communicating, granted it can be fairly annoying at times, especially when you want to sleep in, but such is life as a bird owner.
You might consider yourself fortunate that he only squawks in the morning, Mine squawk morning and Night just as its starting to get dusk. They're calling the flock home making sure everyone is in their rightful and safe place for the night. And trust me, with 12 birds all going to town at once. You have a real quiet house with just one little quaker

You might get some reprieve if you will really work at Saying Good Morning Or How are you this fine morning And do it every single day. Switch it back and forth to give him his choice to pick up. When they learn to associate that phrase with Getting up in the morning, A lot of times you'll here Good MORNING instead of a squawk which is much more pleasant to wake up to.

My Blue crown Conure Wembley is very good at saying GOOD Mornink... And she starts saying it the minutes she hears movement in the house in the morning. And its such a cute little voice that it has a very cheering effect.

Several of my other birds and especially my Citron Cockatoo who is a screamer...also tells me Night Night when he's ready to be covered up for the night.

He also says what's your problem after he's gone through a session of screaming. His previous ownere obviouly said that to him a lot So my point is, just keep talking, you'll be surprised at when they come up with just little things

You might also try using a little higher pitched tone and excentuate different parts. Try not talking in a monotone voice.

But then again as was said, some birds would rather watch and have you entertain them.


Here's a little example of what happens here, I have a quaker "Paddie Wack" so I often sing "This ol' Man" and I really emphasize "Knick Knack Paddie Wack" When I do that she gets excited and chirps like HEY that's me" Well now Wembley the blue crown just started saying Knick Knack Paddie Wack. I've been singing this song off and on for 3 years now. So you just never know when they'll say something, And when one starts saying it pretty soon others will pick up on it. When Wembley says Knick Knack Paddie Wack, Paddie Wack chirps... So its rather fun.

And you just never know what's going to trigger it for which bird. Paddie Wack doesn't talk a lot. But when ever she hears me cough or sneeze she'll call the dog..."here Wicket, cough cough" "Here Wicket" So evidentally I must have been calling the dog while I was coughing or sneezing at one time or another and that's what triggered it for her.

Peek a boo is a big hit around here too...I have 4 or 5 Peek a boo'ers in the house, and when one starts eventually they all will start in and wait till each other has finished it And Hello when when the phone rings.

So don't be too discouraged, Just enjoy him for what he is a cute little mischivious bundle of green fluff.

The others are all right. Clyde can say lots of things he only says when he darned well feels like it, and he also knows when a thing is appropriate. When I show him himself in the bathroom mirror, he says "pretty bird" or if he thinks he has to go back into his cage he'll get real affectionate and say "pretty bird" and "awwww" because he knows that'll buy him a few more minutes out. He says "hello!" when I come home from work. I hold conversations with him, as the others said, and just talk to him and he's picked up a couple of cuss words from when my husband was remodeling our bathroom. Let's hope he doesn't let loose with any of those if the pastor comes by ... But I'll bet yours knows more than he lets on. Sooner or later you're bound to get him to talk in front of you. And they definitely do squawk in the morning and when they want attention, though Clyde, bless his little heart, just sort of whispers and makes low whistles until he's pretty sure we're really awake. THEN he lets go with the big GOOD MORNING squawking.

Pepper gets loud in the morning. Since I am a teacher and have the summer off, I want to sleep in, so I cover him with a dark-colored blanket. Keeps him from noticing the sun as much. I also try to keep him up late. Pepper also gets loud in the afternoon when it's time to close the curtain because the sun is beaming in and if he is tired and wants to go to bed. Pepper talks a lot and everything she says are phrases I repeatly constantly on a daily basis. I can have a mini conversation with him because he replies "Yeah" and "okay" to most questions.

GOOD Mornink! (Still laughing at that one!) Great stories!

Jen

Yes, I agree with all that has posted. My Quaker Xerxey is one of the few non-talkers although some of the times i swear that i can hear him say or try to mumble what sounds like words. i do believe that he is a closet talker himself. so no matter waht i love xerxey if even he never talks for hes one special little feller who flew in to mylife.

yup Emma talks only when she wants to and she's definetely a screamer! not only in the morning does she scream but when i get ready to leave for work and open the front door she goes insane i hate to leave her like that even though i'm saying mama go bye bye and love you she still acts that way and sometimes in the morning if i haven't even gotten out of bed yet she can somehow hear me moving around in bed even with the fan and air condition if it's clicked on and she starts screaming lol

I feel your pain!!!!

Wubbie is 2 years old, he doesnt talk, hardly ever make a noise at all!!! doesnt play with toys, doesnt like to be handle, even though I do and he is not agressive but sooo very shy!!! I guess.....I get him all kind of toys, we talk to him, we sing, I take him everywhere around the house (I know he hates it!!! poor baby), he has a play gym (doesnt like it)...... a boing...no way!!!..I keep on trying!!

I dont know why some QP's are like that....I'm dying for him to be more playful and ...yes!! more like a Quaker....

I guess we have to keep on trying!!!

Good luck!!!

Thanks for all your help. I'll try some of those tips. I do sometimes hear him mumbling like he's trying to talk, just like xerxeys mama said. I cover his cage at night but it's with a white sheet so I'll try getting a dark sheet instead or using a blanket, thanks Tara1981. Hopefully my little baby will start to talk sometime in the future.

Here's a pic of Kiwi:Click to view attachment

Well you heard of people calling quakers a green chicken, maybe yours is a green rooster. Rather than words try sounds, like meow, cocka-doodle-doooo, chicka-dee-dee-dee. etc. I start by asking what a chicken says, than make the sound. Now Tiki asks me what a chicken says. I think he thinks he is the boss of me. Well actually he has me quite trained. The other day he saw a dog on the TV, and asked me "What does a dog say?" I said "meow", he laughed and whined like a puppy. But be careful what you wish for. This evening I couldn't shut him up, and he was pulling stuff way back from him repertoire. When I told him to hush hush, he replied "Tiki whisper" in a very loud voice.

Kiwi is a cutie there. Love the pic.