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When Does A Cockatiel Start Talking?


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#1 supermom

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Posted 06 May 2007 - 12:45 PM

Any One? My cockatiel is probably close to 6-8 mos now. I have noticed that the yellow around the face is getting brighter and is spreading. Also, the bird has become very vocal with whistles but has not tried to talk yet. I'm curious about its gender but all the reading I've done has still left me mystified. biggrin.gif

#2 Revolutionist

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Posted 06 May 2007 - 07:22 PM

QUOTE(supermom @ May 6 2007, 12:45 PM) View Post
Any One? My cockatiel is probably close to 6-8 mos now. I have noticed that the yellow around the face is getting brighter and is spreading. Also, the bird has become very vocal with whistles but has not tried to talk yet. I'm curious about its gender but all the reading I've done has still left me mystified. biggrin.gif


Cockatiels are better whistlers than talkers. It is typical to start off with easy whistles like the wolf whistle, or a simple repeating pattern. Words will take patience, and perhaps some deciphering skills smile.gif But it is old enough to begin.

It sounds like it is mid-molt, so it might be tough to tell until the molt is over... but it sounds like you have a male on your hands (assuming you have normal grey). Hold off a few more weeks and you will be sure. Males normally have yellow heads with the bright cheek spots, while females retain the grey, with tinges of yellow.


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#3 Steve Heard

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Posted 06 May 2007 - 10:22 PM

QUOTE(supermom @ May 6 2007, 01:45 PM) View Post
Any One? My cockatiel is probably close to 6-8 mos now. I have noticed that the yellow around the face is getting brighter and is spreading. Also, the bird has become very vocal with whistles but has not tried to talk yet. I'm curious about its gender but all the reading I've done has still left me mystified. biggrin.gif

We've had Honey for about 7 years now. The vet informed us that sexing cockatiels is difficult, as they can look exactly the same. We just assumed she was a she, and she confirmed it by laying eggs at about 2 years old.

She's never talked, but whistles excitedly whenever someone comes in the front door, and occasionally, when she meets a stranger.

By the way, the eggs are delicious, but it takes about 30 of them to make an omelet.



I kid. biggrin.gif

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#4 supermom

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Posted 07 May 2007 - 07:54 AM


Yes we have a gray cockatiel.

Well, I hope we will know soon. We were putting off naming the bird until we know. Bad thing happened though. Instead of giving it a name we would just ask the bird questions. The one that apparently we asked the most is "how are you sweet baby?"

So now the poor bird thinks its name is sweet baby. When people come to visit they give me the oddest look when I say we call it Sweet Baby.

The bird has suddenly started whistling, trilling, cooing and even tring to immitate a crow. I had no idea cockatiels had such a varying degree of language skills.

My kids have started placing bets on who can immitate the bird best.

Anyway the yellow has started to come around the side of the face and is creeping up to meet the yellow top feathers on its head. The red circle on its cheek has gotten really big too. Strangely enough the bird has also started to get little white spots on its neck and wings.

It was my understanding that females retain the gray bars on the underside of their tail feathers-does anyone know when the males lose this?

Well I'm happy with a boy or girl but I wish the bird would stop the high pitched whistle when I call the kids- or during the best part of a movie-like the cop car chases!!!

Amazing how much you can get attached to a fluff of feathers.

#5 Steve Heard

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Posted 07 May 2007 - 09:38 AM

QUOTE(supermom @ May 7 2007, 08:54 AM) View Post
So now the poor bird thinks its name is sweet baby. When people come to visit they give me the oddest look when I say we call it Sweet Baby.

The bird has suddenly started whistling, trilling, cooing and even tring to immitate a crow. I had no idea cockatiels had such a varying degree of language skills.

Well I'm happy with a boy or girl but I wish the bird would stop the high pitched whistle when I call the kids- or during the best part of a movie-like the cop car chases!!!

Amazing how much you can get attached to a fluff of feathers.


I think you've found an appropriate name, boy or girl.

Honey will whistle when doors open, when jazz is playing on the stereo (usually sax or trumpet gets her going), when she finds an open drawer or cabinet to play in (I think she's trying to claim it), when she wants out of her cage. Come to think of it, she doesn't need an occasion. She's usually really quiet when she has eggs.

Honey is out of her cage most of the day. She is very affectionate. My wife has taught her to kid. She won't kiss me, though. She likes to sit on my shoulder or lap while I'm eating or working online, pulls the tiny hairs on the back of my neck, then hides between my shoulder blades so I can't swish her off of me. Loves to snuggle up for a nap if she spies someone reclining on the couch to watch TV. She'll hang out on top of the fridge, and comes flying to me if I open the cabinet where we keep the almonds and the Cheerios (two of her favorite treats). If she wants water, she'll wait until someone goes into the kitchen. If they are at the sink, she'll fly to their shoulder, then walk down their arm, leaning forward to let you know she wants a drink.

Yes, it is funny how you can grow attached to that little fluff of feathers. They have so much more personality than I realized. They can be sweet, smart, moody, a pain...wait, am I describing my kids?


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#6 JMH

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Posted 07 May 2007 - 11:55 AM

Steve, do you have trouble with Honey eating food that is left out? While visiting my sister, I left a grilled cheese sandwich and glass of water on the table for a few minutes while I signed for a package at the door. When I returned my food was picked apart and she had obviously helped herself to my water.

#7 supermom

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Posted 07 May 2007 - 01:37 PM

QUOTE(JMH @ May 7 2007, 12:55 PM) View Post
Steve, do you have trouble with Honey eating food that is left out? While visiting my sister, I left a grilled cheese sandwich and glass of water on the table for a few minutes while I signed for a package at the door. When I returned my food was picked apart and she had obviously helped herself to my water.

My bird when I got her wouldn't touch people food. That didn't last long. Now she has to be put away at meal times because she does not understand that our plates are not meant for her to land in; and help herself (himself?).

Apparently that sweet baby's favorite is gold fish crackers. The shrieking will commence if the package is out and sweet baby is not partaking. We actually bought a bag of gold fish crackers (multi colored ofcoarse) and put sweet baby's name on it to let the kids know that that is not for them.

You should try the package of dried pasta dinner at pet co. The bird goes nuts with the dried peas,carrots pasta, etc. S/HE also likes yogurt. Funny thing to see a bird try to eat yogurt.

#8 supermom

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Posted 07 May 2007 - 01:38 PM

QUOTE(JMH @ May 7 2007, 12:55 PM) View Post
Steve, do you have trouble with Honey eating food that is left out? While visiting my sister, I left a grilled cheese sandwich and glass of water on the table for a few minutes while I signed for a package at the door. When I returned my food was picked apart and she had obviously helped herself to my water.

uh, oh. did you mean your sister or your bird?

#9 JMH

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Posted 10 May 2007 - 11:33 AM

Too funny! My sister wasn't home. I was visiting her in Houston and she had to work for a few days. Her birds were so inquisitive. They would peck through my luggage when I left it open. They would watch me put on makeup and brush my teeth. I loved the way they would turn their tiny heads in amazement! They both have little personalities!

#10 Chad Vander Veen

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Posted 10 May 2007 - 11:43 AM

QUOTE(supermom @ May 6 2007, 01:45 PM) View Post
I'm curious about its gender but all the reading I've done has still left me mystified.


Check to see if there's a small cockatiel attached.

#11 Steve Heard

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Posted 11 May 2007 - 08:07 AM

QUOTE(JMH @ May 7 2007, 12:55 PM) View Post
Steve, do you have trouble with Honey eating food that is left out?

Absolutely!

That sandwich thing has happened quite a bit.

Also, if I make a salad, I pull out a peice of lettuce for her to eat. When I come back in the room, she's discarded the lettuce, and is perched on the edge of the salad bowl, trying the different kinds of greens.

If there's a package of tortillas, chips or bread, she will try to chew through the plastic to get at it.

She likes to eat dinner with us, too. She'll walk around the table, sampling from everyone's plates.

She likes chicken, turkey, peas, corn, rice, pasta, bread, greens and almonds. If she sees that you've got any of that, she's coming after it.

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#12 supermom

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Posted 11 May 2007 - 08:17 AM

Sweet baby has just discovered scrambled eggs!! oh, boy. Now even my breakfasts are not safe to eat in peace.

#13 supermom

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Posted 11 May 2007 - 08:19 AM

Have you taught your bird when to quiet? There are times when I think I'm going to seriously go bird-hunting. As much as I love sweet baby----Anyone know a good way to teach the bird a command for quiet?

#14 Steve Heard

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Posted 11 May 2007 - 08:50 AM

QUOTE(supermom @ May 11 2007, 09:19 AM) View Post
Have you taught your bird when to quiet? There are times when I think I'm going to seriously go bird-hunting. As much as I love sweet baby----Anyone know a good way to teach the bird a command for quiet?

Honey seems to understand the tone of my voice, and if kind of snap at her and say, "Quiet!", she'll stop..................for a few seconds.

I guess then, the answer would be no, I haven't taught her to be quiet. Chirping is what they do. I will put her in her cage and shut the door sometimes, or if it's late, put a blanket over her cage, and she'll settle down to sleep.

Other than that, good luck.

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#15 supermom

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Posted 11 May 2007 - 10:05 AM

Last night I bought a foot toy for Sweet Baby. It did the trick for a little bit. I guess we are going to just learn some tricks that appease Sweet Babies need for interaction or stimulation.
Maybe that will chill Sweet Baby out.




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