When Will a Cockatoo Talk?

It's not possible to say when a cockatoo will talk, if ever. Some types of cockatoos are more prone to talking than others, but even then, some will talk and some won't. Rarely will a cockatoo talk on his own, however, without a lot of work on your part.

  1. Check His Health

    • A bird must be healthy and happy before you can try to teach it to talk. Make sure he looks healthy -- with unruffled plumage and bright eyes -- acts energetic and has a good appetite. Be sure he has plenty of toys to play with, things to chew on and lots of time outside his cage for exercise. If he seems ill, take him to your veterinarian. If he screeches loudly or acts unhappy in any way, find out why and solve those problems before working on talking.

    Choose the Right Bird

    • Some types of cockatoos are better talkers than others. Rose-breasted cockatoos -- also called galahs -- can be good talkers. Another is the little corella. Males usually make the best talkers. If possible, choose one that has been hand-fed, as such a specimen is already used to human interaction.

    Establish Trust

    • Younger birds learn to talk more easily. Whatever your bird's age, start working him him early in your relationship. First, however, you must gain his trust. Take him out of his cage several times a day, speaking pleasantly to him, perhaps hand-feeding him a veggie. Once you can see that he looks forward to your sessions and isn't afraid, take him into a small room free from distractions. Take small treats along -- nuts or pieces of dried fruit -- for rewards.

    Teaching Techniques

    • In 10-minute sessions twice a day, repeat just one two-syllable word or phrase -- such as "hello," "hi there," and "good bird" -- over and over. Listen for beginning sounds of speech, such as chirps or little squawks, lavishing him with praise and a treat for his efforts. Don't expect quick results; reward any vocalization except screaming. After 10 minutes, end the session with praise and another treat.

    Be Patient

    • It may be a month or longer before you hear any speech, so don't give up. Listen closely if he seems to be chattering gibberish. Cockatoos' speech isn't as clear as that of other parrots. The learning pace usually picks up after he learns the first word. After many months of training, if he hasn't tried to repeat the word or phrase, it's possible he isn't going to talk. Instead, consider teaching him tricks, which most cockatoos love to learn and perform.