A friend of mine has a bird store and I occasionally help her out with the customers. A very common question they come in with is "I would like to get a bird for my 6-year old and we want a bird that can learn to talk." My friend will recommend a cockatiel. Now, I have never heard a cockatiel talk. She also recommends her umbrella cockatoos. The only type of cockatoos I have heard talk are bare-eyed and slender billed corellas.
What's more, I'm not sure a 6-year old is ready for a bird at all. I'd be very hesitant to have a cockatoo around a small child. To me, most of the good talkers (well, maybe a male budgie???) would not be appropriate for small children. What would you recommend I tell them? Also, I feel leery around people who judge birds based on their talking ability.
What's more, I'm not sure a 6-year old is ready for a bird at all. I'd be very hesitant to have a cockatoo around a small child. To me, most of the good talkers (well, maybe a male budgie???) would not be appropriate for small children. What would you recommend I tell them? Also, I feel leery around people who judge birds based on their talking ability.