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How to tame my cockatiel and how long until it starts talking?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male

I have a 5 months old male cockatiel named cheeko. Its 3 weeks passed from the day i have bought it. He eats foods from our hands, some times let us touch his body and please him a bit and we are trying to make him eat from our hand while he is standing on it...but he is not tame as well. How much does it take to become tamed as well and not scare from us and how much does it take to speak for the first word? I would be thankfull if you tell me how to tame it too:) Special thanks for answears

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ady Y. Gancz, DVM, ABVP (Avian), ECZM

Veterinarian, Board-certified avian specialist

Published on December 7th, 2017

Hi and thank you for this question, It sound as if Cheeko is only partially tame. Perhaps the hand-feeding process was not done properly or Cheeko was not handled for a while. All you can do is work with Cheeko a lot, offer treats as reward and hope it helps. Some birds will never be completely tame if they were not properly hand fed. Also, most cockatiels do not learn to speak but again, you can try using treats as reward.

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    Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on December 8th, 2017

    The key to both taming and teaching is practice practice practice (and lots of patience). It sounds like you are already on the right track with taming if you are giving treats every time you approach or if he is allowing you to pet him or sits on your finger. Continuing with this can help keep him getting used to you and more active. You don't have to do this in one long session either, small visits throughout the day can help. As for learning words, simply talking and "chatting" with Cheeko can help. If you hear him begin to mimic a word or he starts saying/doing something you like, reward him with a favorite treat or activity he enjoys. He'll soon pick up that this is what you want him to do! Some birds are better able to talk than others, so if Cheeko can't say too much or takes a while to learn, don't be disheartened, it may be that he is still trying his best!

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