Is it normal for a cockatiel to mimic my actions?

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3 Comments

So, I have a pet cockatiel. Besides other interactions, I started looking at her and doing some facial expressions, mainly winking. After a bit she started winking back.
I was kinda surprised, since I thought those birds only mimicked sounds, and not actions.
Now, if I stare at her and keep doing movements with eyes and mouth, she'll repeat it with her eyes and beak.

So, do these birds normally possess those mimicry skills (visual)?

Voting Results
83% Normal
Based on 41 votes (34 yes)
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Comments ( 3 )
  • themagpie
    14 years ago

    My nan has an african grey parrot and if you say *scratch* and wiggle ur finger (outside the cage cause he bites) he will start bobbing his head up and down.

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  • memyselfandyou
    14 years ago

    Hahah my birds do that alot, it's normal, it's a cockatiel! those animals do that!

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  • Dan198
    14 years ago

    It's fairly normal. Birds like cockatiels do have visual mimicry skills.

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