Little Talking Birds
Everyone is familiar with talking birds. African greys, Amazon parrots, conures, mynahs, and many other types of big companion birds are known for their amazing talking abilities. But did you know that many of the little birds are just as talented? Over the years, I've been fortunate to share my life with several of these tiny feathered wonders. While my experience with the smaller talking birds is limited to parakeets and cockatiels, I've heard of the occasional finch or canary that could say its name or other short phrases. I'm not surprised. After all, if they have the ability to mimic the songs of other birds, why not words, too? Birds are incredible creatures.
Long before I was born, my mother had a green budgie named Fudge. Fudge was legendary for his tricks and speaking ability, and ruled the roost with an iron talon. He had free reign of the house and supervised the daily goings on from whichever perch or shoulder he could grab. Not only did he participate in family meals and activities, but he also offered his opinions on everything from the weather to his appearance.
"Fudge is a pretty bird," he told everyone. It was his favorite thing to say, and he practiced the phrase constantly. From time to time he threw in odd words and one day astounded Mother by saying, "Fudge is a pretty bird, as pretty as Arthur Godfrey!" (I told you this was a long time ago.)
It was a sad day when Fudge flew the coop. He was sitting on Mother's shoulder one afternoon when she answered a knock at the door. Fudge zoomed out the open door and into the bare, snow-covered branches of a tree. No amount of coaxing could persuade him to come down, and right before he winged away into the sunset, he yelled, "Fudge is a pretty bird!"
Growing up listening to stories of Fudge the Wonder Bird jump-started my love for anything wearing feathers, and if it talked, so much the better. Then came the day I adopted my very own beautiful blue and white 'keet, whom I named Lucky.
Right from the start, I knew Lucky was, well, lucky. He had the best cage I could afford, toys galore, and all the birdie treats he could nibble. And, to my great surprise and pleasure, he talked!
One day Lucky suddenly blurted out his name. Stunned and unsure I'd heard right, I held him up in front of my face. "Hi, Lucky," I said. "Lucky! Lucky!" he yelled back. I was ecstatic.
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