Budgie/Parakeet & Cockatiel Talking Tips

Budgie/Parakeet & Cockatiel Talking Tips

1) Do both male and female budgies talk?

Only male budgies are likely to talk. Even when a pet bird does not talk, it may understand what you say. Talk to your female budgie and as she responds appropriately reward her. A male budgie’s repertoire can be huge. Puck, a budgie listed as the most talking bird in the "Guinness World Records,” said 1,770 words.

2) Do both male and female cockatiels talk?

It is male cockatiels that learn to whistle and talk. As a general rule, teaching a female cockatiel to talk is unlikely. Instead, teach her tricks or teach her to respond in other ways.

3) If a cockatiel loves to whistle does that make it more likely to talk … or less likely?

Vocalization and talking are linked. It’s the loud parrots that talk the best, and the vocal (male) cockatiels that whistle readily are good candidates for talking. My experience has been that male cockatiels learn a few words or phrases till they are about two years old, then don’t add to their repertoire after that. Prove me wrong and tell me about it!

4) Can you teach a budgie to speak more clearly?

 A budgie’s talk will get clearer as it becomes sure of its words, up to the limits of its ability. At first its words will be mumbled, but if you have an idea what it is saying, or what you want it to be saying, and repeat that phrase when you hear your budgie talking, it should start to be intelligible.