But if you have got the impression that his verbal dexterity is limited this would certainly be wrong. He has a remarkable range of sounds some used in a highly appropriate manner. For example, he says 'thank you very much' rather after the manner of Elvis Presley, when he has been fed. I don't mean Elvis used to say that after he was fed, though he might have done, but the Lorikeet.
He recognises my step or the sounds I make even when there is a cover over his cage and he can not see me. Very often he tells me he loves me, repeatedly. This is quite gratifying at first but gets a bit taxing after a while.
Beefa used to belong to another household prior to moving to Frank and Jenny's abode (where I am staying right now) and had clearly picked up and remembered some sounds from that earlier place. One rather wonderful trill sounds like the ringing tone of some electronic device. It's an amazing series of beeps and Beefa has the ability to slow them down so that they are issued singularly rather than as a series.
Beefa often whistles and I try to whistle back. I used to be able to whistle but it seems that if you don't use it you lose it. I have completely forgotten how to do it and am slowly re-learning the art in order to reply to Beefa.
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Jonathan Brind