Parakeets can Make a Kissing Sound

User Question
Under the question titled "My Parakeets Won't Drink - The Water is Gross" the questioner also asked about the kissing sounds her birds make. You told her that parakeets can't make this sound, so I wanted to tell you that I have actually had 3 parakeets who have mimicked the sound of kissing. I don't know how they do it, but I am starting to think that these little guys can repeat anything they put their mind to! (I also have a bird that laughs!)

The first one was AJ and he would make this sound when I would. I didn't mean to teach him this, but I would kiss him or make the sound at him and one day he just kissed right back! After that, he learned to make the sound just when I would say "Give me a kiss!"

My next bird, Isaac (who turned out to be a girl, but the name stuck), learned this also, but this time I was trying to teach it to her. She would make kissing sounds when I would say "Give me kisses!" or make the kissing sound myself. Sometimes she would just say it out of the blue and I always took this to mean she wanted attention, which of course I gave her. She would also say "give me a kiss" and then make the sound herself. Unfortunately, she died 2 years ago from liver tumors. She was nearly 6 years old.

Now I just have Nikki, who has also started doing this, but he only does it if I haven't asked! He's a bit of a tease! (He has a girl name because the original owners thought he was a girl, but he's definately a boy, according to the vet, and his cere.) You can see a picture of Nikki at this address:

http://www.sf.edu/library/Subject_Links/AnimalWelfare_Resources.htm

This is a project I did for work, but the picture is mine and if you could use it you are welcome to. He's nearly 12 years old and the vet says he is in excellant health so I am hopeful that he will be around for several more years.

I also wanted to let you know what a great site this is and so needed! So many people who aren't familiar with parakeets think they are nothing more than animated house plants, but they are the best pets you can get, in my opinion. I think people think that because they are generally inexpensive, they aren't 'real' pets. I've even had people express shock at the fact that I take them to the vet. Why would I spend money to cure a pet that only costs $20? These people don't know what they're missing!

Sorry this is so long. I could go on for days about my babies, as I'm sure you understand.

Thanks again for this site!

Lisa's Answer
That's very cool, I've never had one of my parakeets make a kissing sound! I suppose I never ask them to kiss or do it to them, so that's probably why. Just so you know, most vets recommend you never actually kiss a parakeet on the beak because your saliva isn't great for them. But just air-kissing is fine :)

What a cute photo!

Animated House Plants, that's a great line. I think you're quite right - some people don't think of parakeets as having brains at all. But they are very intelligent living creatures. They can say "Hello Jane" or "Goodbye Jim" at the right times. They know what they're saying. Why would you put such a smart creature in a corner and ignore it?

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