Shadowing Practice: The Parrot Whisperer Can Fix Your Bird Woes - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Most people think that owning a parrot is a walk in the park, but the truth is they're very, very complex creatures in every way.
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They're long-lived, they can be noisy, they can be destructive, they have special needs.
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They challenge you.
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Can you say bark like a dog for me, please?
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People buy them sometimes for the wrong reasons or they buy on impulse, and when there's a problem they call me.
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My name is Glen Serino and I've been working with birds professionally for 20 years.
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New York City has always been my backyard.
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I had parakeets growing up as a kid and I was fascinated.
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Everything about them appealed to me.
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Eventually I started to research parrots.
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everything I could get my hands on, spoke to other bird owners, went to bird club meetings, and even took a job at a bird store.
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That opened up a lot of doors for me.
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People started calling me.
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Glenn, I'm having a problem.
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Can you help me?
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I thought I had a male parrot, but after 20 years, I just laid an egg.
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Hello.
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You name it, and the call started coming in.
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People started flocking to I can use that term.
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One thing led to another and eventually I became the go-to guy and it developed into a business.
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On a day-to-day basis I provide a variety of services.
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I'm there whenever they need me, basically 24-7.
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Every day is something new, every day is a challenge.
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Each bird has a different behavior, they're like people, they have likes, dislikes, They have special needs in the way of diet, lighting, environment.
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The larger species can live a human lifespan.
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Owning a bird is literally like having a five-year-old child that never grows up, if you can imagine that.
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Bird owners often have problems with aggression, health issues, plucking, egg-laying issues,
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mimicking sounds that become incessant.
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I have one client who was feeding her bird waffles with maple syrup and pasta with vodka sauce.
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So we had to change the diet and we had to change it fast.
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Every situation presents a challenge.
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My role is to try to help them through all of that.
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If you understand how a bird thinks, if you understand what a bird is telling you and the way the pupils dilate, the way they fan their tails,
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you can figure out what they're trying to tell you.
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I can tell if they're being cautious at first and I approach them very gently.
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Again, I speak their language and I don't think there's anyone else who really does what I do.
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You're looking really good.
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Thank you.
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Okay.
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Okay, Frankie.
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Want to come out?
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I believe that I do have a unique role in the bird world.
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I feel the work that I do is very rewarding to me.
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I love birds.
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I help clients solve problems.
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And when they call me up and tell me that everything is great, that I really help them, it makes me feel like I'm really making a difference in the world in the world.
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And I love a happy ending, and nothing makes me feel better than knowing that I did a good deed.

Context & Background

In the engaging video, "The Parrot Whisperer Can Fix Your Bird Woes," Glenn Sorino shares his extensive experience working with birds, particularly parrots. With over 20 years of professional involvement, Glenn highlights the complexities of parrot ownership, emphasizing that these creatures are not simple pets. Instead, they require careful attention and unique care due to their long lifespan and complex behaviors. Glenn’s journey started from a childhood fascination with parakeets, evolving into a comprehensive understanding of bird behaviors and health. His role as a bird consultant has been shaped by countless interactions with parrot owners facing challenges, ranging from dietary issues to behavioral misunderstandings.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Can you say bark like a dog for me please?" - A playful request demonstrating the ability of parrots to mimic sounds.
  • "Hello, you name it and the calls started coming in." - Expressing the diverse range of issues bird owners frequently face.
  • "If you understand how a bird thinks, you can figure out what they're trying to tell you." - Highlights the importance of empathy and observation in animal behavior.
  • "You’re looking really good, aren’t you?" - An affirmation that can be used when engaging with pets or people, promoting a positive interaction.
  • "Every day is something new. Every day is a challenge." - A reflection on the dynamic nature of working with animals and living beings.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English speaking skills through shadowing, focusing on Glenn’s interactions can be highly beneficial. Use the following steps to enhance your learning:

  1. Choose a Segment: Select a specific part of the video where Glenn demonstrates communication with the parrots.
  2. Listen Actively: Watch the segment multiple times, paying attention to his intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation.
  3. Shadow the Speech: Use the shadow speech technique by repeating what Glenn says immediately after hearing it. Mimic his tone and expression for more effective practice.
  4. Break Down Sentences: If a phrase feels challenging, break it down into smaller parts and practice each segment individually before putting it back together.
  5. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice using these phrases in different contexts will help reinforce your learning. Utilize the shadowspeaks method to engage with other learners by practicing conversational role-playing based on Glenn’s scenarios.

By integrating these techniques, you can develop better speaking skills and achieve greater fluency in everyday conversations, ultimately enhancing your overall English proficiency.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.