Teaching to whistle tunes

[kintzele]

Well, the "cockatiel-to-be", Sparky, is now home. He already whistles the Andy Griffith Show song as well as "Pop Goes the Wease " (he consistently leaves out the last note). He's bonding - I can rub his head and carry him around. So, besides having a bunch of other questions, I'm wondering if the CD's available to teach your cockatiel to whistle/talk are any good, or if I should just work on it myself . Would appreciate your advice! Also, any advice on bonding with a new, previously hand-tamed bird?

[Shirl]

Thats great he can whistle those songs already . My 2 new boys are doing good to and they say a few words . I just work with them my self . Plus I put Tiel Town on the computer and they pick up from that .

[sarak]

I think they are more likely to learn if you are whistling to them than if you are just playing a tape. When they are bonded to people (and other birds) they will be more likely to pay attention than they would by just having it playing in the background. My birds have learned Andy Griffith from me and from each other...matter of fact, I had one who learned to talk and said "You wanna sing Andy?" from my other bird, Jesse.

Just my experience. Pop goes the weasel! Hmm...might have to try that one!

Sara K