Do I have the most inteligent cockatiel ever?

Question

Charlie is a hand - reared lutino. He is now 17 weeks old. I have never had a cockatiel before so I don't know what to expect. I know they are very bright, but at only three weeks of bringing him home, he was copying a whole tune I whistled to him and he was also repeating quite a fair number of words .He has now come-on in leaps and bounds and is amazing everybody more every day with new words . He has also learned another tune .There just seems to be no end to his talent. I can't believe the speed he is learning. I just can't understand why he only does all this in his cage only? Can anyone answer this, please ? I think he is the best pet ever !!!!! Thanks. Luv val x*x

Answer 1

That's a little far reaching - but keep in mind that birds learn best when they are youngest.

In terms of the birds I keep (Gouldians), the males don't learn to sing until after they have fledged, and they "learn" over a period of 4-6 months after fledging while they are moulting by sitting next to sexually mature males while they are singing and craning their heads in a curious fashion listening/learning to what they're doing.

I imagine this is quite the same for most birds - when they are a juvenile they are just learning how to manipulate their voices - so this would naturally be the best time to attempt to teach them something that would require a little more "flexibility."

PS: I don't mean to say that as your tiel gets older he'll stop learning - I just mean at a younger age they are way more impressionable; which explains why he is learning so much in such a short time - so just keep at it!! His brain is like a sponge now; teach him as much as you can :)

Answer 2

how sweet i use to have a latino until he flew out my patio door he was really sweet to he use to whistle like the guys

do at the girls i miss him dearly if u know of any one with some babie lutinos let me know iam looking for one. my e mail address is [e-mail] thank u very much and good luck with yours.

Answer 3

I would guess Charlie is in his cage more than out of it.

Sooo he is entertaining himself with his new found sounds-:)

When he is out with you he is expecting you to entertain him.

Quite normal. When he is older and out he will entertain you with his antic's.

Do keep repeating all you have taught him from time to time and add more. Birds love to have fun with us, so make teaching him a fun and happy experience. You are doing s super job!

Teach him to talk too. Easy one is say 1,2,3,4!!

For some reason birds enjoy this game with words.

Teach him his name, your name and your phone number too.

Lost birds are being found when thet repeat a phone number! Fact ~ and one I need teach my flock of five.

Psst, between us, I play music and dance around the room being silly ~ and All my birds sing,laugh and bounce up & down enjoying out fun time together. Try it and see if Charlie enjoys this time with the two of you-:)

You could also record Charlie's sounds and play them back to him.