May 24th 2011

When I say Tag is taking off in his talking abilities, boy I sure mean it! Tags progress seems to be taking off so fast, that every day he has picked up something new. I was able to video tape him secretly again, as it seems every time there is a camera in his face, he just stares at it blankly. I tell him every day when I leave to go some where that I "gotta go to work", I figure its easier than tiring to explain where I'm actually going at times. He has started asking me this question when I put him back into his cage. "good boy" is something else he has masted over the last few days. As someone who wants to learn everything about orthintology, I asked myself these few questions on what may have caused the recent jump in speaking ability.

1. Age- Tag has just turned a year old May 1st and this could possibly have had an impact on this, but many greys don't start talking till the age of 2. Tag is a Temneh, and this type of species matures more faster than greys, not because they are smarter than Africans.

2. Space-I wonder about the space that Tag has now, about 7 times more than normal, which in turn means 7 times more things to look at and get into. The outside aviary is another possibility with the freedom to be able to be left outside alone for short periods of time perhaps builds confidence.

3. Sound-The room Tag is in echos quite a bit, having the sounds echo off the walls, may give him a sense of paraellel refection on his words.

4. Presley-The dog. Now, I have seen them two sit for 20 minutes whining and barking at each other and watch inquisitively on their actions and motions. Having a dog around was never part of the experiment but it seems to be helping tag learn to mimic sounds, as he now sounds like a small yappy poodle barking at the big black dog.

Whatever the reasons are for this change, I am getting more and more confident in his abilities to speak many words by the time he is two, and I will be starting color and shape training soon. I have such a wonderful, smart and talented little buddy!