Community Chat

[tuffysmom]

In early December 1987 I gave my mother an early Christmas present that she had asked for. Her brother had a cockatiel and she wanted one. Bought a book about them before I actually bought him so we would know how to take care of him and what to expect. It said pick one in the store that's making a lot of noise and it will likely learn to talk. I let her pick it herself. In 25 years not one word and not for our lack of trying. She even bought a tape that repeated words and phrases over and over and over until we were sick of hearing it but nothing from him. Mom did teach him to whistle parts of Jingle Bells, Old McDonald and the wolf whistle. His name is Alf from the tv show that was on at that time. It also said in the book they usually lived into their late teens. I am guessing Alf is around 26 and seems like he's going strong. Anybody have or know of another cockatiel living this long or older?