Training Your Cockatiel to Talk

Once you have become acquainted with your new cockatiel and have come to terms with all the added chores bird ownership can present you may decide to attempt to train your bird to talk. This can be a tedious chore if you are not dedicated to the effort and willing to have the necessary patience. However you will most likely be much more appreciative of your new pet and feel closer to it once it begins to mimic the words you have taught it.

There has always been discussion concerning which sex of cockatiel is the better learner. Some bird owners maintain that a female will not learn to talk or at best will only learn a very few words. Others maintain that they have had success with both sexes. Other inexperienced owners are never really sure whether they have a male or female. Attempting to train your bird to talk is really worth the effort if for not other reason you become closer to your bird and learn more of it's habits.

Young birds are usually easier to train to speak than older birds who are set in their habits. It is still possible but will normally take much longer and use up a greater share of your patience.So if you are going to try it is best to get started as soon as your bird is comfortable with you and is hand tamed. Keep in mind that cockatiels are not parrots and will never equal their vocabulary.

Make sure that there are no distractions during the teaching sessions. Loud music or other background which distracts the bird will confuse your bird. There are two schools of thought regarding the technique of covering the cage while training your bird. Some owners feel that the bird will have more concentration if he cannot see you. Others feel that the bird does better and is much more attentive and at ease if he can see his tutor.

You may try to cover at lest the sides of the cage to eliminate outside distractions and then experiment with a completely covered cage if you feel the training is not showing results. A good technique is to began the training sessions by very clearly and at the same pitch for about 15 minutes.

Then a short break is in order before repeating the lesson. Leave the bird alone for 4 or more hours and then repeat the lesson. remember that your cockatiel does not real talk in the sense that humans do but only mimics what he learns. There is much more involved in training your cockatiel to talk but this short article should give you enough information to begin the process.