I know that I have posted about Keke talking before but we have noticed that she has all but stopped talking all together these days. She used to mutter to herself quite clearly before but lately she will whisper her name in your "Leo's" ears. But last night for the first time in weeks she said something out loud. I am not sure if she is just happy and doesn't feel the need to talk. She will use this little parrot phone I got her hoping to encourage her to talk by pushing the buttons it is funny. She wants out of her cage she will push the Hello bird and I love you to get my attention. I know by responding to the phone I am only encouraging her but I just can't help my self. Could it be the time of year. Simon never stops talking and has even started talking for her yesterday Leo ask Keke her name Simon says Keke Pretty girl I laugh so hard. Other than stopping talking she has turned into such a cuddle bug spending time playing by herself and coming to find us when she wants to be with her humans. She is such a joy and talking is not high on the list but I don't want to do anything to discourage her either. You know how it is with our parents we will worry all the time if we are doing the right thing and I can't think of people who have helped me more.

Gail, Maple went through a period last year for about 6 months when she didn't utter a word. NOTHING! Then started right back up again. I think sometimes they just go through phases.

I think they like us to lose all hope of being spoken to before piping up sometimes

Not to worry, keep talking to her with animation and excitement as they tend to listen and mimic more during the fun times. I get so excited when I one of our birds say a new word, but we also have bird who never talk and we love them all the same. Haven't noticed a difference in the time of year. Could be during the winter months life is quieter.

When Eddie first came to live with us, I wrote down a list of at least 69 words and phrases that we heard him say. Since then, several years have passed, and he has cut down what he says to a few words that get everything he wants to say out: "Fire!" when he wants me to spontaneously combust *grins*, "Cracker" when he wants 1) a snack, or 2) a bath in the sink, and "Hi Jasper" (his first name, and the one he identifies himself with). We rarely hear any of those other things. Maybe he feels he can't compete with the jabbering of the big guys all around him :-). What is very obvious, though, is that he is happier now than we believe he's ever been, in any of his homes, according to what the AV who treated him all his life says. So we don't worry that he doesn't talk much--except when he screams "FIRE!" at me :-).

Thanks for all the support. Her favorite human was away on business yesterday and after a short pout in his office she was mommies bird last night. She is so different when Leo isn't here she wants to cuddle with me. I don't mind though she has such a special relationship with me but she also makes me laugh so hard watching her with Leo. It is heart warming to watch her with Leo and the way she will run across the floor to the point of skidding sideways to get to him. She is nothing like the bird we brought home just a short time ago. So engaging with us and has come out of her shell that it talking really isn't the first thing on my list. If she never says another word it would be ok with me as long as she is still having fun with us.