Do cockatiels have big personalities and bond like larger birds?

Cockatiels are approximately twice the size of a budgie. Both budgies and cockatiels are easily tamed, persistence will be required to trach them to talk however. Personally I think you get more interaction from a cockatiel but it really depends on the individual bird and how much time you invest.

Hello! Cheeko can certainly learn many tricks and maybe words. Cockatiels are not great “talkers” and tend to do much more singing. However, birds are extremely smart and if you put the time into training, you should be rewarded no matter what age the bird is. I highly recommend using positive reinforcement clicker training. Find his favorite food item (like spray millet) and ONLY ever give him this food during training sessions. This helps get his attention for the task and motivates him to learn. You can watch you tube videos or buy training dvds by Good Bird, inc. They are very well respected in the bird training world. Just remember to have patience and be consistent. Good luck!

Hello Chanel and congratulations on your new pet. Here are some links with helpful information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/cockatiels-nymphicus-hollandicus-species-profile-coloration/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/basic-bird-care/ https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/bird-care/cockatiel-care-guide/A0065.html https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cockatiels---general-information A single bird is more likely to bond with it's owner BUT you MUST devote a lot of attention to it every day or it could become lonely. These are very smart birds and they need stimulation or they can develop depression and other neurosis. Two birds are more likely to bond with each other but that's not to say they won't bond with you as well. They still need stimulation but will keep each other company. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Due to the large size difference between both birds I would not recommend attempting to house them together in a cage or small aviary as your larger bird could easily pick on or kill your smaller bird.

Most birds can be trained regardless of their sex! Looking up some YouTube videos on training your bird to talk, perch on your finger, etc, can help you figure out what you want to teach Grey to get started. If Grey has a favorite treat or toy, this can be very helpful during your training sessions- you can offer it every time you interact to help her get used to you, and then offer it every time you work on a new trick together to help teach her that you like what she does! Piece of fruit or veggies, favorite millet sprays, etc are all good choices. If at anytime she becomes too nervous or stressed, simply return to the previous trick or interaction that worked, and try again from there.

I don't think adding another bird will necessarily teach TJ to be "trained." Instead, I would recommend spending time bonding together. Does TJ have a favorite treat? Begin by offering that every time you approach the cage, without any other interaction. Once he is comfortable, you can then start offering it from your hand, and then move on to petting him. If at any time he becomes stressed or nervous, going back to the previous step he was OK with for a while is best until he is comfortable again. If he is biting softly, it may be more that he is exploring his environment (and you) as a way to interact. Offering a toy or fun thing you can both play with may help. However, if he is hissing, backing away, and the biting, it can indicate he is stressed out by the situation and needs some time to himself. Not every bird will bond closely with every person, so even if he doesn't seem completely comfortable with you, you can still offer enrichment through new toys, play spaces, etc, and e

That many birds should get along fine as long as you have enough space for them. Four birds would need a very large flight cage or even an aviary to ensure they all have the right amount of space and room to move around. You will also need many perches, multiple food and water dishes, toys, etc, to keep them from fighting. As training and care are very in-depth questions outside the scope of a single answer here, I'm pointing you toward some helpful articles! https://www.petcoach.co/article/cockatiels-nymphicus-hollandicus-species-profile-coloration/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/basic-bird-care/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/selecting-perches-for-caged-birds-materials-measurement-mai/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/basic-bird-training-how-to-train-your-bird-to-step-up/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/cost-of-owning-a-bird-setup-supplies-and-veterinary-care/

If the cage is large enough for two birds and they are introduced gradually, another female cockatiel could be added. Adding a male will likely lead to mating and egg laying. Also, the possibility exists that the birds will bond with one another and interact less with you.

Thanks for reaching out. Choosing a smaller of the parrot species if probably the best. Cockatiels, budgieregars are lovebirds can be great companions, are intelligent and fairly easy to care for. Longevity should be considered, as cockatiels can easily live into their 20s, and possibly longer. Hand-reared parrots tend to be more socialized towards humans, but can also lack the some bird-like traits. Do a little research, visit some pet stores. Good luck.

If your cockatiel was not hand tamed then she may be less social and not as handleable. It will take a lot of time and patience to get her hand tame. Try using treats and just leaving your hand in there until she is more used to you. You can find video,guides online for,hand taming your bird. Some birds never tame up and are always less social, but with patience many will come around. Good luck to you!