Hi guys,

I hope I don't sound like a freak here, but Ryan is driving me completely out of my mind and has been for almost a week now.

For some reason, he stopped saying everything that he has learned and is now only saying "Hello." He's not just saying it, he's repeating it over and over again non-freaking stop.

I have not changed anything at all, nothing! This morning was the worst. I take him out and put him on his tree with fruit as I always do. He did not touch the fruit and began saying hello over and over again. I then bring him into the bathroom with me, as I always do, to blow dry my hair. Rather than play with his toys like he usually does, he sat right in front of me saying hello over and over again. I then bring him into my room to finish getting ready, as I always do. He sat on my dresser and said hello over and over again.

It got so bad that I had to leave the room, shut the door and as Camille once said, count to 10, as I was about to either scream or break down into tears out of complete frustration.

I have tried ignoring it, he gets worse. I have tried saying something else in response such as "what are you doing" or "come here, " etc, he still says hello. These are things that he knows how to say.

I am desperate. For almost a week now I have heard nothing but hello, which would be fine, but he is beyond repeating now, it's non-stop.

So please, someone, anyone, help! Any suggestions, please!!

At least he isn't just squawking.
My Boca does that a lot too. He'll get on a kick when all he will say is "you want an apple?" or, "whats up dock" and say nothing more for days.
Just keep talking to him using different words and phrases, he'll get over it in a few days.

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Sorry! I don't know what to do. Maybe he is just so glad to see you!

Wendy, my first thought is that he's doing it as a tension reliever. My Kady will get excessive with his dancing when he's agitated. I don't remember his age, is it possible that Ryan is hormonal? Maybe try changing the routine a little and see what happens.

Well, I feel your pain. Occy screams non stop for hours on end to the point Im talking about rehoming him. It can become really annoying and nerve racking. I often do cry because of it. He will stop eventually but it could seem like an eternity. Heres where I will go out on a limb to speak would could possibly be considered a lecture. All 4 of mine learn from each other. Do you want to risk a second highly intelligent bird learning from Ryan and have 2 of them in your ear at times? If I were you, and I know Im not, I would not get anther bird Wendy. Learn to roll with Ryan and enjoy him when you can. Having more than 1 can drive you nuts can really be awful. I often think, if I just had 1 it wouldnt be so bad. Occy has a repeat word and its "ok?" over and over "ok? ok? ok?" It doesnt bother me though. Its only the loud screeching. Either way, I understand how you feel and in my opinion its normal for this to get on your nerves. Dont feel guilty. We all know you love him.

Oh thank you! Some relief! I keep telling myself he'll get over it, but its almost like he is so stuck on that word, I also thought it would never end!

Ryan will be a year old in June. And I just thought of something. About a week ago, the birds started coming out and building nests next door to me. We can see them perfectly. Ryan seemed to really like watching them and he would run to the back of the tree excited to see them. He even started to say, "Hi Birdies!"

Well it got cold again and they haven't been out for about a week now. They fly by quicky but they're not out chirping like they were before. Could this be it?

I have noticed him looking for them out the window. Oh my God. Could this be the reason!!??

Ok, Ryan is a male Zon, right? Refresh my memory, Wendy, how old is he? If he's old enough to be hormonal, this is the time of year for it, and though you say nothing's changed, the recent time change, the onset of spring and the resulting hormones could well be change enough to throw him for a loop. I like Karen's idea of changing the routine, but it may or may not make a difference. It probably is a phase, and yes, you should try to figure out what might be causing it and try to address it that way, but as to the behavior itself, the best thing you can do is to ignore it completely. Very probably it won't last long. I know, in the meantime it can be really stressful. Try to let it just wash over you, and when it really gets to you, walk away and get out of the house for a few minutes. I think once he discovers that he's not getting what he wants (reaction, attention, whatever) from you, he'll stop doing it. Pay attention to him when he's quiet (or at least not endlessly repeating hello), and just turn and walk away when he's doing it. Otherwise, don't let him see you react to it. Beyond trying to figure out why he's doing it, that's really all you can do.

Edit: Ok, at a year old, its not hormones. Just something he's gotten stuck on, most likely.

Leigh, thank you!! I was feeling so guilty and so frustrated, asking myself what I have done to cause this! Ryan was learning so much and then all of a sudden just stopped it all.

Oh and believe me, I've been tossing the thought of getting another bird back and forth now. The red front that I was going to buy had trouble with the mother feeding it seeds which got caught in his crop. He needed surgery and will not be sold.

I would love to have another bird, but I think after this episode, it will be a while before I do!

Nate, thank you too! You guys are the best! I'm going to go with ignoring it. I may have to pour myself a cocktail and invest in some ear plugs, but that might be the way to go.

If he's upset about the birds being gone outside, there's nothing I can do about that. I can't bring them back! Although I have been throwing food out there for them.

Im so happy you have reconsidered that! When they are a joy, bird fever kicks in. I had it big time! I wanted 1 of every species. Now that Ive experienced the most annoying moments, I dont even desire to go to the bird store! Im so happy I dont have bird fever anymore! I do think this will pass though and he will move on to something else. Like I tell myself. try to hang in there! Cry and go out for a walk!