Cockatiels are very intelligent, social companion birds. They will provide you with love and enjoyment throughout their life if you care for and love them properly. They enjoy being a part of the family and their activities. Even when you're just sitting watching TV they'll preen you, play with your jewelry or snuggle into your neck for a nap. They love to 'help' type on the key board while you're on the computer. At meal time watch out because if they see you eating you'll be sure to have a tiel on your plate in no time, haha. Many times I've had a tiel in my cereal bowl or sitting in the middle of my dinner and I always share so long as there's no salt or sugars in the food. Actually, this is a good way to get a picky eater to eat fresh foods if they won't touch them in their cage.

Talk to them, play with them, give them head scritches, provide new toys. They need stimulation from you and toys. I rotate toys every few weeks so they don't become bored. Could you imagine what a depressing life you'd have if you were a bird stuck in a cage with nothing to do and no one paid any attention to you?

Some tiels can learn to talk and are great at mimicking whistles. Normally the males are better at this than the females. BUT don't buy a tiel with the notion that it will become a talker because it may never learn a single word.