Here Is How Smart Cockatiels Truly Are

Calling someone a bird brain used to be an insult to their intelligence. Over time, scientists have begun to realize what bird owners have known all along . . . having a bird brain is no joke after all.

Are Cockatiels Smart? Cockatiels are actually incredibly smart. Avian experts say that cockatiels possess the intelligence of a two-year-old child. In fact, there are studies that show that birds actually have more neurons packed in their little brains than mammals, and that includes primates.

Cockatiel owners know that their birds are capable of exceptional things, from cracking complex puzzles to making tools to suit their needs. Let’s take a look at just how smart cockatiels really are.

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Problem-Solving

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence confirming bird intelligence. Crows have been known to drop walnuts in busy intersections so that cars can crush the shells, and scientists have tested many birds through the utilization of clear food-puzzle boxes, all yielding high-intelligence results.

Cockatiels share this knack for problem-solving, as evidenced by their ability to solve puzzle toys in order to earn special treats. In fact, they need and crave the mental stimulation and challenge of such puzzles.

Keep an eye on your cockatiel and his favorite toys, and he may just surprise you with the inventive ways he uses them to remedy a dilemma.

You may find him using a stick to scratch a hard-to-reach spot on his back or placing objects into his half-empty water dish to raise its level, making it easier to drink.

Cockatiels can thwart simple cage locks and escape and have been known to do so, shocking unsuspecting owners. Many cockatiel keepers find the need to add aftermarket clips or latches to better secure their intelligent, crafty cockatiel.

By the way, cockatiels actually recognize their owners. We have created a whole article on that. We highly recommend reading it here!

Language

Although your cockatiel may never have the vocabulary of some of his parrot cousins, with the proper training, he can still be taught to speak. Male cockatiels are especially adept at learning new words.

The cockatiel is best suited for simple words and phrases like his name, common greetings, and words describing the things he likes. If you label all of his favorite things consistently, be prepared.

He may start requesting them day and night, as he can learn to use words in context.

No other pet on earth is capable of talking to you like a bird can!

As you can imagine, cockatiels can get quite loud at times. However, there are a couple of things you can do to teach your cockatiel to not overdo it. Our article here will show you what you can do.
Also, if you are not sure whether you want to get a cockatiel or a budgie, you should read this article as well: Are Cockatiels Louder Than Budgies?

Tricks

Cockatiels love to perform tricks and just generally ham it up for their owners. They are capable of learning a whole list of entertaining stunts with some training from their owners. Here are a few:

High Five – Your cockatiel can be taught to place one foot onto your outstretched hand upon command.
Turn Around – He can learn to spin in circles like he is dancing.
Step Up/Down – Your bird can master stepping on or off of a perch, your finger, or your hand.
Bow or Shake Head – If you reinforce his natural head-bobbing and shaking with a treat and a command, over time your cockatiel will look as if he is saying yes or no to you.
Somersault – Your cockatiel is able to do complete 360-degree somersaults around their perch or your finger with just a little training.
“Flex” Wings – He can learn to stretch his wings out upon this funny command.
Whistle a Tune – Cockatiels are capable of mimicking tunes that they hear repeatedly.
Maze Challenges – If you set up a maze with a reward at the end, you will be shocked at how fast he can complete it.
Fetch – Cockatiels love to fetch things, and it is not difficult to teach them to retrieve something. The hardest part is getting your cockatiel to return an item to you!
Hide-and-Seek – You or your cockatiel may want to hide until one of you finds the other. Cockatiels may even hide on their own if they are annoyed with you, but they can rarely resist giving their spot away.
Peek-a-Boo – Cockatiels often teach themselves to hide behind something and then pop up when you least expect it.
Birdie Basketball – Your bird may be able to learn how to put a bird-sized basketball through a hoop with a little practice.
Of course, the right motivation makes it easier to teach your cockatiel some tricks. Here are 15 treats your cockatiel will love!

Memory

Birds have incredible memories, and there are a multitude of studies that confirm this. Caching birds can remember where they’ve hidden food in order to eat during the long winters, and crows have shown incredible facial recognition, even years later.

The ability to memorize helps birds survive in the wild.

While cockatiels don’t have a need for this particular skill as pets, they still possess a good memory. Pet cockatiels can memorize tunes, mock household sounds, and remember simple words and short phrases.

They are also great at remembering and recognizing routine, and they do not like any deviation from it. If you always give your cockatiel a treat just before bedtime, rest assured that he will never let you forget it.

Cockatiels also recall and associate people with behavior. They can and often do hold grudges, and they will not take kindly to people who have treated them poorly in the past, even if it was only one time.

Emotional Intelligence

While cockatiels do not experience the complex emotions that humans do, they are still complicated, understanding creatures. Cockatiel owners know that their bird can be angry, joyful, playful, and can even grow hopeless in a neglectful home.

We now know that each side of the bird brain controls a different set of functions just as it does in humans and other vertebrates, one indicator of intelligence.

The right hemisphere houses strong emotions such as fear and joy, while the left hemisphere is responsible for routine responses and inhibition.

Cockatiels have been known to show feelings towards other birds and even attempt to console them. They seem to have a sense of fairness, and they often display strong affection for their partner, human or feathered.

They will certainly grieve for the loss of a mate, sometimes becoming so depressed that they lose the will to live and pass away themselves.

Depression, which can also be the result of bad husbandry, can lead to many unwanted behaviors in these intelligent birds. It can lead to screaming, for example. If your cockatiel is screaming all the time, we recommend reading our article on that here.

It will help you and your bird!

Playing

While people don’t typically associate play with smarts, it is actually a great indicator of intelligence.

Cockatiels are playful birds who are more than capable of entertaining themselves. You may see your bird dropping things into his bath water just to see the splash or tossing toys around simply to make some noise.

Cockatiels can also play rousing games of chase, whether it is with another bird or their owner. They may even steal your favorite thing just to get you to engage with them.

If you make your bird an activity mat, complete with sewn-on buttons, bells, and keys, you may be surprised by how long your content cockatiel will play.

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