How to Teach a Cockatiel to Talk

Like parrots, cockatiels have the ability to speak and repeat what they hear. The clarity of their language may not be as pronounced as that of the parrot, but they can hold their own and make their owners understand what they are saying. Because of its smaller size, the cockatiel is an ideal bird for people who live in a smaller space but are looking for a companion with verbal ability.While it has been said that male cockatiels are more apt to talk than females, there is always an exception to the rule. The use of repetition will increase the odds of your cockatiel speaking, no matter its gender.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compact-disc player

1. Purchase and play compact discs that use repetitive speech to catch a cockatiel's interest and promote verbalization. Placing the CD player in the same room as your bird will stimulate his mind and encourage him to use his voice to repeat what he has heard.

2. Speak to your cockatiel in a high-pitched voice. Many animals, including birds, enjoy hearing human speech and respond well to sounds that are higher-pitched. While deeper tones are also suitable, higher pitches will manage to pique a bird's interest.

3. Use repetitive speech yourself. Bird, by nature, like to repeat what they hear. If he is exposed to the same words over and over, your cockatiel is more likely to verbalize what he hears and remember the key words that are the focus of the "conversation."

4. Say “Hello” when you enter the room, and speak your cockatiel's name. Many cockatiels will learn their names right away and associate the sound of the word "hello" with someone entering the room. In fact, "hello" is usually one of the first words a cockatiel will utter, due to its frequency of use. But if you would like your cockatiel to say "hello" to you specifically when you enter the room, say “hello” and use your name when talking to him.

5. Avoid distractions that may interfere with teaching your cockatiel to talk. Barking dogs, other people's speech, TV programs and the sound of children playing can all divert your bird's attention from the main goal. If you are specific about the words you would like your cockatiel to repeat, set aside some time to spend one-on-one with him. Enter the room, close the door and talk. He will enjoy the sound of your voice and express interest in what he is hearing, without distraction.

Tips & Warnings

• Handling your cockatiel while you are speaking to him will promote a sense of trust between the two of you. The more frequently you handle him, the more confidence you will build, and the more he will speak. A nervous bird will have more of a tendency to shriek, as opposed to speak.
• Cockatiels can also be taught to whistle tunes and melodies. Follow the same steps as above, but replace the speech with musical tones.
• Remember that your cockatiel can and will repeat what he hears consistently. If you do not want your pet to repeat foul language, do not use it in his presence.

Resources

• An excellent cockatiel-training CD