My cockatiel won't talk, how can I get him to talk? I talk to him all the time and spend 6 hours/ day with him

Question

He whistles, he knows 3 distinct tunes and babbles to himself but won't repeat anything. He's 3 years old and I've had him since he was four months old.

Answer 1

If you are expecting your Tiel to talk and sound like a person talking it isnt going to happen. Tiels (Mainly the Males) are the best at mimicing tunes and sounds, but as for human speech they don't talk like that.

Sapphyre
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Answer 2

Cockatiels are not really know for their verbal imitation abilities. They prefer to make whistling and cooing sounds, chattering and birdy sounds...but talking is not really a big part of repatoire. Don't feel too bad... :D Lovebirds don't talk much either. Some birds just aren't into that. You could always acquire a budgie, which loves nothing more than to chat with ya! Monosyllably, of course...but still :D And tiels and keets can dwell together during playtime :D

Answer 3

Birds are just as individual as humans. My first cockatiel learned to say "bratty bird" just a few months after I got her. My second won't talk, but whistles catcalls and cardinal songs. My third will only copy the second's vocalizations. It's quite possible that your bird is not one that will talk, or you're not being repetitive enough. What's more important than making him talk is making him friendly. And if he learns songs reliably, build on that. Maybe talking just isn't his talent.
I know that's probably not the answer you're looking for, but you probably have one skill you excel in and one skill you really stink at right? Birds are like that. Yours excels in whistling and doesn't in talking.

Answer 4

Just because they can talk, doesn't mean they all will. All cockatiels have the ability, but weather they will or not is the question. I have had my cockatiel for 5 years, (although i've never rly tried to teach him to talk), he knows sounds and whistles, he's very smart. Just be patient.

Answer 5

Just be patient and spend as much time as you can with him. If you have any mirrors in it's cage remove them! Having mirrors in a birds cage will only make him talk to it's reflection. Try putting your bird near a t.v. when your not around this way he can still get verbal stimulants. Start with only one word, once he begins to talk you can add more words to it's vocabulary. LOL I had a parakeet years ago that would talk a blue streak...this is the method I used with him.

Answer 6

I guessing it is a male cockatiel because if it is a female sop tring because their vocal coards are not as develpoped as males. And cockatails arent the best talkers i am aready amazed that you got it to sing. Give it a break if he wants to talk some day he might but other wise Just leave it alone.

Answer 7

I too have one. Some things are more likable too them than others. I watch Andy Griffith alot and my bird always whistles with the beggining and end of the show.

Answer 8

This is what I did. I repeated a word I wanted my bird to say on a tape recorder and then each morning I would interact with him and play the tape recorder. It worked! Once he "learned" his first word others came faster. Try it!

Answer 9

Just say a couple words and reward him if he make a sound. Also, if he is to young or to old he may have a little more difficulty. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Keep saying the same words to him over and over and over again. That always worked on my cockatiel. You just have to be patient with it.