The only thing I can think of is just keep talking to him as you would a child. Tell him the names of things, read or sing to him. Reward him when he talks.  

If it's any consolation, my greys will talk up a storm when it's quiet in the house.  Even if they realize I'm home, if I'm in another room reading or something, they will go thru all their words and phrases.  But if I'm in the room with them, they really don't talk much.  They're being entertained.  My one grey and I whistle back and forth all the time when I'm in the room with them, but not much talking. 

 

Mine doesn't shut up so I don't have that problem but we do talk to him alot.  I talk to him from all different rooms also so he is always trying to get me to talk.  Sometimes I wish he was a closet talker.

 

But I was thinking about closet talkers and was wondering if maybe you let him hear the tape you made.  Maybe he will like his own voice and talk back to it. 

 

Indy

We actually always play the tape around him when get home from work and he listens with us.  We make a big deal when we hear him talking on the tape thinking it will get him excited enough to say it when we're there.  But nothing.  He does make very cute whistles though which are enjoyable as well.

 

Lady - Moe is beautiful! And I know what you mean about puttering around in another room.  I do the same thing.  Then when I hear him start to talk, I come out and give him a treat.  But he still won't talk around us. 

Try to develop a contact call with him, to replace the high-pitched sound.  A whistle is good.  Choose a several-note combo that you can remember, and whistle that when you're out of the room.....do it, then pause and repeat a few times.  Then walk into the room and whistle the same thing, so he knows it's you doing it.

 

Mine do talk when I'm in the room, but not nearly as much or as long, as when I'm not.  I love laying in bed, listening to them in the morning.

My clouseau (grey) only talks when you are not in the room with him too. He will talk when we are in the next room or upstairs, but hardly ever when we are in the same room with him.  Ours does mostly sounds, not to many words.  I love to hear them talk and do sounds.  It is so amazing that they pick up new sounds everyday.

Patti

I've been really surprised about the response of everyone having greys that talk when they are not in the room and stop when they return.  I've had two greys and both talked non stop. Never thought of it but wonder why.   I really thought getting Bubba he wouldn't talk much cause I'm usually the only one here but he doesn't shut up.

 

But I think both of them thought talking was a game because of hubby.  He makes everything fun.  His tone and his mannerisms when talking to them I think made a difference.  They probably wouldn't have talked much if it was only me. But he is in the center of everything and is part of everything.  And it helps I'm here all the time.

 

People always ask me how I can put up with the constant talking but to me it is music to my ears.  Unless he is swearing! lol!  

 

Shades   I was wondering about the treat you give him when he talks.  Greys think so different.  Maybe he talks on purpose when you aren't there cause he has learned you come running with a treat.  Maybe he has out smarted you! 

 

Indy

 

 

I actually had just started to give him the treats the day I originally posted this message.  We had been taping him for a few days, so the treat thing was actually new to him and my way of letting him know that I liked the talking enough to give him a treat (he loves pistachios and almonds). 

 

But here's an update for everyone.....

 

The other evening, I was sitting quietly watching TV (I was the only one home), and Harley was on his tree stand next to the couch where I was sitting.  He had been playing on there for about an hour when I guess he noticed it was quieter than normal at home.  He started with his cute little sounds and of course I would respond and tell him "pretty bird", "oh that one was pretty...can you sing for me", etc....after a while, I guess I got too quiet for him and he stopped making noise for about 30 seconds then out of the blue he turns his back to me and says "good boy" (very, very quietly).  So I tell him "good boy Harley" and give him a nut.  Once he finished eating his nut, he starts with the cute little sounds again and we start our routine all over again.  Same thing....only this time, he turn his back to me and says "hello".  So again, I give him a nut and praise him.

 

Then a couple days go by and there's nothing on the tape but him playing with his toys during the day, and no talking in the evening either.  He actually seemed a little moody these past couple of days.  Then last night, I came home from work and my boyfriend was lying on the couch watching TV with Harley on his tree stand.  My boyfriend told me that Harley was saying "good boy" and "hello" a couple times while he was lying there.  And he didn't get up and give him a treat like I do.  He said he wanted to see how much Harley would say if he didn't respond so he layed there and listened.

 

It's my guess that Harley is starting to feel a little more comfortable around us.  It's been about 1 month since we brought him home (right after Memorial Day weekend).  He was so cute tonight....he was playing with his toys that hang off of his tree stand...he would hang upside down and squawk like a parrot in the wild does.  I should have video taped him...he was so funny!  Every time he would do this, the dog would run over to make sure Harley was alright...it started becoming a game...

 

Like a lot of you have said, I think they train us (lol)!

 

Thank you all for your comments and ideas.  I'll keep you posted on Harley as he opens up to us more and more every week!

Shades it gives me such a nice warm feeling reading how patient you are with Harley and yes he'll come around..

Now do not complain about him talking non stop in a few weeks time...lol

Gosh, he sounds like an adorable little guy.   I'm surprised how comfortable he is after only a month.  My birds and my dogs get along super, and it's fun to see them interact.  My Amazons throw food down to the dogs.  The greys don't do anything like that, but they do like to watch.   

Oh...but Greys do throw food to the dog.  At least Harley does (lol).  He throws his food all over the place and the dog loves it!  They both get their veggies every day (lol)

I am with Indy in this thread .Taipa is NOT a closet talker and sometimes I have to block her out like you would if a child was nagging you ,But I wouldn't have it any other way she is so sweet and keeps me giggling.

 

My Max isn't a closet talked exactly, but when he is alone, he runs through all his sounds......when someone is in the room he talks more directly to them.  Right now, he's in the kitchen making every noice possible, and i'm in the livingroom......when I walk in there he will stop and probably say "hey boo-boo"  and talk in his sweet 'mommy come here and give me kisses' voice.