I know that geese can figure out a few phrases. They know, "Here birdies," which I use as a food call for all my geese and ducks and chickens and wildies. (Okay, they all know it, even the wildies, who come swooping in from other parts of the yard.) The geese also know, "Birdie go to beddie," which I use with a clap of my hands. I know they know it because they all look toward their respective beddies, even though they don't always go right away. They know, "It's ok, it's just me," when they alert and start calling when I drop something loud, like a trash can lid; they quiet down right away when I say it. They also know the it's-not-about-you signal, where I cover my eyes on the side they are standing as I walk by; when I do that, they let me pass quite close to them, and otherwise give me much more room (which I like). I also say, "Heads-up" when I pour feed or water into their cage; if they are close, they stand back until it's poured, and if they are in another part of the cage, they come running.
I have rabbits, so one additional signal they pay attention to is when I thump the ground with my foot. Then, everyone goes quiet and looks around. I only use that for hawks, dogs, or other danger. I can't take credit for that one. I believe the rabbits trained both them and me!
