Games For Cockatiels

Limit your cockatiel training sessions to 30 minutes or less.

If you own one, you know that cockatiels are smart, easily trainable birds that can learn a variety of games and tricks. Keep in mind when you’re teaching your bird new stunts, limit each session to 20 to 30 minutes as they have short attention spans. Also, continue consistently working on a new trick over the course of at least 30 consecutive days for the bird to fully catch on.

Build a Maze

You can create a makeshift labyrinth for your cockatiel. Using blocks, Legos, or whatever building materials you have handy, simply lay the blocks out in a maze pattern, with tricky turns and tunnels for your bird to navigate. Choose the height and sturdiness of the “walls” based on the size of your cockatiel. While you’re teaching the bird the maze game, start simple – build a winding path, and use treats to lure your bird through it. As the bird gets more maze-savvy, you can add tunnels, sharper angles and dead ends to offer a greater challenge.

Spaghetti Game

Some cockatiels will find this game entertaining – it will definitely be fun for you to watch. Get some spaghetti – one that’s a bit thicker, since angel hair pasta would break. Cook up a few noodles and sit them next to your cockatiel. The bird will pick up the noodle and do amusing things including possibly winding it around his neck like a feather boa. There’s only one way this game can go awry – if your bird enjoys eating noodles.

Make a Play Mat

Since birds naturally like to tug and pull at shiny things, try making a game of it. Your “game board” is a blanket or towel onto which you have loosely sewn buttons, (inexpensive) rings, beads, and other shiny baubles. Place the mat on the floor before the bird and let him make a game out of trying to uproot the various shiny objects. This is an easily-assembled project that you can make at home using materials you already have.

Step Up

This is a simple command to teach your bird and one of the first “tricks” that behaviorists recommend you teach. Place your hand near the cockatiel about an inch off of the surface on which the bird is standing. Place a super delicious treat in your hand and say “step up.” The bird will step onto your hand to retrieve the treat and soon associate the command “step up” with the action of stepping up. This is a building block to more complicated games and tricks, such as teaching your bird to climb stairs or other multi-level obstacles.

References

• Peteducation.com: Basic Bird Training: How to Train Your Bird to Step UP
• Fixing Your Parrot's Problems: Four Fun Games for Birds (and you!)
• Birds N Ways: The Charm of Cockatiels