All macaw species can learn to say a few words. Hahn’s macaws, blue and gold macaws, yellow-collared macaws, and severe macaws are considered the most skilled communicators.
Parrots learn new vocabulary through regularly hearing and repeating words. The more you use a word the parrot finds fun, the likelier it is to remember and repeat it.
Macaws don’t understand the meaning of English words but can gain context. For example, if you say ‘dinnertime’ when feeding a parrot, it’ll realize it’ll soon be fed.
How Macaws Talk
Macaws can talk because they have a syrinx, the avian equivalent of the human larynx.
The syrinx is located at the bottom of the trachea (windpipe.) Air passes through the syrinx to the tongue, where the sound can be manipulated and turned into human-recognizable words.
Number of Words Macaws Can Learn
Macaws may develop a vocabulary of 10-25 words. Their ability and willingness to learn new words vary based on their species, age of adoption, level of training, personality, and companionship.
The earlier in life you commence training, the more likely a parrot is to talk. Lone macaws are more willing talkers because they’re keener to please their owners than pair-bonded parrots.
Macaws Don’t Understand What They Say
Macaws are clever birds, but this doesn’t mean they understand the words they’re using in a conversational context. The words are being mimicked and not understood.
Macaws repeat words they frequently hear from humans or have been trained to say.
They may contextually understand the response to their words. If saying “I love you” results in petting and treats, expect a macaw to repeat this expression of affection more often.
Best Talking Macaws
Just because a parrot can use human speech doesn’t mean it will. Many parrots communicate through whistles and other sounds. Despite this caveat, most macaws can repeat our words.
Let’s explore some popular species of macaws and the expectations surrounding speech:
Hahn’s Macaws (Red-Shouldered Macaws)
The smallest of all true macaws, this medium-sized bird is considered a good family pet.
Friendly and playful, the Hahn’s macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is the most gifted talker in the macaw family.
It has a deep and croaky voice that requires a little getting used to. Once it gains confidence in speech, it can learn about 50 words.
Hahn’s macaws are more inclined to whistle for attention and communicate than enunciate complete words. To this end, speech training should be started early in life.
Blue and Gold Macaws (Blue And Yellow Macaws)
At the opposite end of the size spectrum to the Hahn’s is the blue and gold macaw, which is celebrated as a talking bird.
Blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna) are easy to train. Through repetition, they can learn about 20 words.
The blue and gold macaw has a clear and distinct voice that can be mistaken for human speech.
Severe Macaws (Chestnut-Fronted Macaws)
The severe macaw is known for its playful personality, reflected in its mimicry and vocal ability.
They’re among the most gifted talking birds. They can learn an extensive vocabulary, tell jokes, and sing along to songs.
While they have a high-pitched, sing-song voice that’s enjoyable to hear, some people find their noise excessive.
Yellow-Collared Macaws
The yellow collar macaws (Ara severus) are playful and easily trained parrots who love speaking and communicating with humans.
They have a clear speaking voice. While they may not use as many words as others, you’ll understand the bird when it speaks.
The yellow-collared macaw is among the most mischievous parrot species, so be mindful of what you say in their company.
Blue-Wing Macaws (Illiger’s Macaws)
Parrots and crows are often compared in terms of intelligence, and the call of a blue-wing macaw is similar to a crow. Unlike corvids, they can be taught to mimic human words.
Many owners find the blue-wing macaws (Primolius maracana) delightful due to their playful and humorous personality. This will be reflected in the way they communicate with you.
If blue-wing parrots use language that makes you laugh, expect to hear these words repeatedly.
Military Macaws (Green Macaw or Blue-Green Macaws)
The military macaw (Ara militaris) enjoys human company.
While considered one of the quieter macaw species, a military macaw can be taught to be chatty and communicative with regular training and repetition.
Speech doesn’t always come naturally to the military macaw, so don’t expect a vocabulary as extensive as some species.
This macaw also has a croaky voice, which new owners may find grating.
Catalina Macaws (Rainbow Macaws)
Famed for their multi-colored feathers, these macaws usually result from cross-breeding between a scarlet macaw and a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna and Ara macao).
The Catalina macaw is found almost exclusively in captivity, as they rarely mate in the wild.
Blue and gold macaws and scarlet macaws have different levels of speaking ability, and Catalina macaws fall in the middle. This parrot has a vocabulary of around 15 words.
The genes of scarlet macaws are dominant in Catalinas, meaning they’ll have more in common.
Green-Wing Macaws (Red and Green Macaws)
This large macaw will dwarf other species, except for the enormous hyacinth macaw.
Such prominent size means the green wing macaw (Ara chloropterus) also has a loud voice.
They can learn up to 15 English words and phrases.
The green wing is likelier to scream than talk. They scream when excited, agitated, or frightened, making them one of the noisiest parrots in the world.
Scarlet Macaws
The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is a beautiful parrot, perhaps best known due to the character of Iago from the Disney animated classic Aladdin.
Most scarlet macaws are friendly and approachable birds with a limited human vocabulary and a loud voice.
Scarlet macaws can learn 5-10 words.
Hyacinth Macaws (Hyacinthine Macaws)
Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) are a sought-after bird among parrot enthusiasts.
This bird – the largest of all macaws – has beautiful feathers of deep cobalt blue and is endangered in the wild.
If you buy a hyacinth macaw, you’ll enjoy the company of a noisy and characterful parrot but not an exceptionally gifted talker.
A hyacinth macaw may pick up some words but usually communicate in other ways.
How To Train A Macaw To Talk
If you want to teach a macaw to use human language, follow these 7 steps:
- Set aside 15 minutes to coach the parrot to talk as part of its daily routine.
- Start by teaching the parrot a basic word, like “hello.” Look at the bird and repeat this word numerous times, always maintaining a consistent pitch.
- When the macaw replies, offer a reward. Don’t expect the parrot to pronounce the word immediately. The response may be a squawk, but reward the effort.
- Keep repeating this step over several days or weeks until its pronunciation improves.
- Move onto another word, but try to keep it simple again. Something like “night-night” can be helpful. Repeat steps 2-4 above.
- Keep moving forward with new words, attempting to teach associations, such as the word “apple” while holding an apple.
- Eventually, you can train a macaw conversational responses, like replying, “Who’s there?” when you say, “Knock, knock.”
A macaw is likelier to continue learning and practicing if it believes you’re pleased with its progress.
How Long It Takes A Macaw To Talk
Most macaws start speaking at 12 months old. There’s no set time it takes parrots to say human words. Start speech training early because younger macaws are more receptive to new experiences.
Macaw Stopped Talking
Some macaws never speak, as they lack the inclination to do so. Something is amiss if the macaw was previously verbal and has ceased communicating. Reasons for a parrot to cease speaking include:
- Illness. It has a respiratory condition, impacting its ability to verbalize.
- Fear. It remains silent because it doesn’t want to draw attention to itself due to a threat.
- Stress and depression. Note the macaw’s demeanor, checking for signs of psychological distress.
- Anger. A non-talking macaw may be upset with you and grow silent to express displeasure.
If a parrot has stopped verbalizing, it should be examined by a veterinarian.
