[geebee]

People often discuss intelligence in a pet as an unqualified positive, and I understand it. We like to interact with pets, and the more human like intelligence they have, the more easily we can relate to them. Intelligence is of course something we value, but I do think we overlook how it can become a problem as well.

I have heard some parrot owners speak dismissively or disparagingly of the cockatiel's intelligence, but like you I think they are a good balance for avian pets. They're cute, curious little creatures. They aren't notably good talkers (though they can semi-pronounce a few words). They are good singers and can learn a few tunes, though they tend to warble and free form after the first seven or so notes (I find this endearing). I also find that cockatiels are more physically affectionate than many parrots with a wider range of people, and are less prone to bonding exclusively to one person to the angry, biting rejection of anyone else (one theory is that this is because they're more migratory and need to form more relationships than many parrots). Just to be clear, cockatiels do have their personal preferences and bond, but I grew up with 'tiels, and they all readily accepted extensive head scitches from every member of the family and people they recently met.

They aren't in the same league as many parrots in terms of intelligence.

Overall, having grown up with cockatiels... well, it's hard to know what's going on in their heads, but they do seem happy. We always allowed ours to be flighted (tougher with larger birds), and they all got a lot of attention which is pretty critical.

In spite of the positive words here, I am 50-50 on even cockatiels as pets. I just don't think people understand how many decades of commitment they really do take.

[MandieD]

I loved my little maroon-bellied conure and miss her greatly, but frankly, cockatiels are better pets. Sassy was many good things, but “sweet” and “even-tempered” were not among them.

Sometimes she was estatically happy, other times she wanted to take my fingers off and didn’t only because her beak was too small. And she could make that shift with little or no notice. She was able to open any cage fastening that did not require a key or human grip. All this in a bird most people would think was a funny-colored budgie.

I’m not sure about keeping parrots of any size again, at least until I’m retired or it looks like remote working will be the norm for a long time - and then, I’d lean towards cockatiels, and definitely rescues.