Cockatiels are known for their vocal abilities to sing songs. Not all cockatiels are born natural songbirds, but there are ways on how to train or further enhance their talent. Since they are natural singers, they also love listening to music as long as they are exposed to the right kind and type of songs. Cockatiels are intelligent; that is why the most effective way for them to learn how to sing is through the help of repetition.
Exposing your cockatiel with music can either be a mood booster, or it may trigger aggressiveness. Exposing them to music not only enhances their natural talent, but it is also effective at enhancing their intelligence. This is a good substitute if you do not have time to play with them because if they hear good music, they will feel that somehow somebody is playing with them and making them feel good.
Type of Music Cockatiels Loves to Listen
Cockatiels love to listen to music, whether in an instrument or on a stereo. However, there are kinds of music that are only suitable for them to listen to. You may choose songs that have harmonious songs and chords that somehow mimic the natural sound of a cockatiel like whistling, light pop, or classical music. They are not a fan of loud music so be sure to always keep the sounds at a low level. You may need to have a good choice of music for your cockatiel because the wrong choice of sounds may upset your bird.
Studies show that cockatiel has the ability to have their own preference of genre based on what it is always exposed to, especially during its juvenile years. You can see if your cockatiel enjoys the kind of music that you will let them hear when there is a change in their behavior. If they like the kind of music that you play, they may sing and dance to it as well. If you don’t have any idea about the kind of music to give them, you have the option to download songs online; there are even recommendations from the avian community on what kind of music that is suitable for them.
Benefits of Listening to Music to Cockatiels
- It is a great way to keep your cockatiel in a good mood
If you already know the favorite music of your cockatiel, you can play this music in the meantime if you don’t have time to have a playtime with them. Letting them hear their favorite music is a way so as to reduce the feelings of boredom and stress for them to avoid acquiring behavioral problems.
- It establishes a closer bond between you and your cockatiel
Letting your cockatiel listen to their favorite music gives them the feeling that you are already playing with them, so giving you and your bird a special bond. The feelings of neglect will not prosper since listening to music is one of the greatest past times to keep them energetic.
- They will learn how to sing
Cockatiel in the wild learns how to sing through listening and mimicking other birds’ way of singing. In captivity, if they can’t hear any bird that sings, letting them hear to music is a great way for you to introduce them to singing. They will also tend to mimic what they hear. Make sure to expose them to listening to music often so they will quickly learn how to do it.
- They will learn how to be independent
When your cockatiel enjoys singing and dancing, you will notice that it will no longer demand much attention because it also lessens their boredom. They will get used to being alone with no feelings of sadness, depression, and neglect, but it is still ideal for giving your cockatiel with a touch of human connection.
Behavior that Your Cockatiel Show After Listening to Music
- Screaming
This is the most noticeable vocalization that may mean a different kind of things. It is sometimes due to fear, anger, and happiness. Your cockatiel will usually scream if they don’t like the kind of music that is being played. You know that they don’t like the music being played on if they will stop screaming once you change the music or when you turn off the stereo.
If they don’t like the song, you may need to change it into something calm and relaxing so as to change their mood as well. Screaming at the kind of music they hear indicates that they are bored or they are being disturbed by it, so it is important to give them the peace that they expect through the music that you will let them hear.
- Mimicry
One of your goals in letting your cockatiel listen to music is for them to learn how to sing as well through mimicry. They may not be able to exactly mimic the human sound, but they are good at vibration imitation. Males are more on verbal imitation while females learn speech. If you want to train your cockatiel to mimic a certain sound, you may need to let them hear it almost every day. Your cockatiel has a higher pitch that what it is mimicking
- Chirping
Chirping is a combination of vocal tones and pitches. You may often hear your bird chirp early in the morning, during their playtime or bedtime. When your cockatiel listens to good music, their mood will be changed positively, so when they chirp during or after listening to music, it means that they are happy, and it shows the sense of sociability. Chirping is also a way to communicate with their owners as well as to other birds.
- Hissing
When a cockatiel listens to music, they are either aroused or intimidated. Hissing is mostly signed of aggression, so when your cockatiel hisses during or after listening to music, it means that they are not really paying attention to the music playing because it didn’t affect their mood. If you hear the hiss, it is a warning not to provoke them because this is their way of telling that they are territorial.
- Singing
When your cockatiel whistles after listening to music, it means that it has mimicked the sound successfully. Most males mimic sound easily because singing is the most effective way for them to court. Most cockatiels usually sing is if they see themselves in front of a shiny object or in front of a mirror.
- Dancing
Singing is not only what your cockatiel learns, but it will also learn how to dance. If your cockatiel is already pro at singing, most likely, it will be accompanied by dancing, especially if your bird is happy. It is an instinctive behavior that your cockatiel will dance as soon as they hear the sound of music.
Final Thoughts
Patience is the key if you want your cockatiel to explore its natural talent. Cockatiel in the wild doesn’t have any problems learning how to sing because they are in a flock that gives them a natural kind of music. However, in captivity, you need to exert effort in introducing them to music; that is why bird sitters must need to know that cockatiels are inclined to music.
