Most birds can be trained, but some are more responsive than others. You need to handle your bird as much as you can so that they get used to you, let a new bird settle in before you start any training with them. It is quite stressful for them when they have a
new home, like any pet they like a nice calm environment whilst you introduce them to your household.
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Whenever you get your pet bird out of its cage be sure to make sure the cat has been shut out of the room and the windows and doors are shut and if you have an open fire, gas or electric either make sure they are not on or place a secure fireguard in front of it.
If you have large windows they can be hazardous as well, make sure you have nets in front of them. How often do wild birds crash into our windows with not very nice consequences. Some owners insist on having their larger pet birds such as parrots feathers clipped, I think that is unfair, but it is a personal choice. Your Vet will be able to advise you.
Plants can also be dangerous, for birds. Cacti because of the sharp spines and there are poisonous plants such as Winter Cherry with it's orange berries and Poinsettia's.
Start by encouraging the bird to take food from you by offering a favourite tidbit with one hand and with the other stroke them on their chest and move towards their legs. This will encourage them to step onto your finger, this might take a few goes, but don't loose patience with them.
If they are in their cage you can start training by placing your finger behind your bird where they are perching, just brush down the back of their legs gently and push very slightly just above their feet and they should just step onto your finger, don't push them and be patient. Try a few times so that they get used to the feeling. With larger birds wear gloves to start with a baby parrot can have quite a nasty bite!
They will soon get the hang of it. but don't spend an hour trying, but break it up into 5 minutes or less sessions a day. You will soon be rewarded once they realise it is nice to be with you!
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When it comes to teaching your bird to talk pick a small word or short phrase and repeat this regularly. Again keep the sessions nice and short, this will help maintain your birds attention. You can also reinforce the training sessions with a cassette tape with the phrase or word repeated several times. It also helpful if you can train your bird to say your address or phone number, seems bizarre but if you lost your bird or it was stolen and resold, it might help you get your bird back.
You can get your bird micro chipped or have a ring on its leg so it can be identified easily.
Some birds can be trained to do tricks with toy scooters etc, birds learn easily if you make it enjoyable for them and with parrots they live for many years and will learn quite a bit in their lives.
Remember once they start talking they can almost mimic any sound or voice. My brother Jon has an African Grey parrot called Fred, he can mimic most household sounds, the phone, the dog and cat, front door bell, and also my brother calling his wife Judy and Judy calling Jon. I get caught out all the time when I visit. His latest sound is their new puppy Rosie crying for attention, she has only been with them for 6 weeks.
Avairy birds or birds with a companion will be harder to train to talk as they are with other birds of their kind, you can try and it isn't impossible but will take longer and you will need lots of patience.
