|  |     I have a male parakeet and I think the best way (at least for my
    parakeet) he learned to talk was from extreme patience and repeating 
    small phrases over and over again.  We usually did this at the same
    time each day in the evening when we came home from work.   Also,
    we had no other distractions going on (T.V., radio, dishwasher,
    etc.) and only one of us would talk for that evening.  For
    some reason the parakeet (we call him budgie - I had a hard time
    picking out a unique name) has become very attached to my husband
    any new phrases he will pick up very easily from him.  His favorite
    expressions are "Hi, how ya doing" and "Budgies Boss."  
    
    I did not clip his wings although I think if you decide to do this
    it would be best to take it back to the breeder or a vet.  I would
    not want to attempt doing it alone.                    
    
    Hope this helps.
    
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|  |     Wing clipping is relatively simple.  As .1 says, have the breeder
    or vet show you once then from there on you can handle the job!
    clip both wings though.  I have added several parakeets to my
    collection that I caught at my feeders!!!  If they are allowed to
    be fully flighted and get loose, someone else may end up with your
    pet!
    
    jean
    
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|  |     We have too new fancy blue parakeets, they are very young and can't
    yet determine if the are male,female or one of each. I have had
    parakeets before but never seen this behavior which is that
    the slighty larger keet, Cheech, looks like he/she is doing
    headstands on the perch, now and then he/she looks like they
    are doing push-ups!!
    is this a mating behavoir? am curious to understand their
    antics.
    thank you
    Fran
    
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