How can I train my 10 month old cockatiel to talk?
ok, I have 4 cockatiels, and both of my males talk. Female cockatiels don’t generally talk or sing. It is very rare for a female tiel to sing. If you want yours to learn to talk, you need to be sure you have a male. If you have a female, that could be your first problem. If you are sure you have a male, talk to it saying simple words, hello, whatcha doin, what’s up, what’s the matter, etc., and just have a conversation with your bird. Do what you would do if you had a toddler who was learning language. When your bird cocks his head at something, he is interested in it. Talk more about it. Use the same phrases over and over in the conversation. He will soon learn what some things mean. Not all tiels talk, however. Even if yours doesn’t, this conversation will become a good activity between you and your bird because it will increase the bonding between you.
Keep your cockatiel on its own, no other birds, no artificial birds and no mirrors so that he will relate to humans and not birds. Then you need to spend a lot of time with him, choose a phrase and repeat it over and over again until he copies you. I have been told that you can fast track it a bit by sitting in complete darkness so that he has nothing to distract him from your voice.
You need to be patient with them. First teach them to whistle a couple of tunes – my cockatiel has now learnt 4 different whistles and he is only 4 months old. He is trying to talk now – however you can’t understand him. You need to have some quiet time with them with the tv off and do training for a couple of minutes until the cockatiel has had enough (and they will let you know) and keep doing this everyday until they are talking – mind you, some cockatiels are prone to never talk – for example; females. Advice – you could be grateful if they don’t talk. My bird doesn’t shut up – even when I want to have a nap. Good luck though.
