Cockatoo Blog
Do Cockatoos Talk? The Best Talking Cockatoos (2026)
Jul
Do cockatoos talk? Yes – most cockatoos can learn to talk, and the best of them pick up a few dozen words along with whistles, laughs and household sounds. They are not the strongest talkers in the parrot world (an African grey usually wins that contest), but a chatty cockatoo more than makes up for it with personality, and some individuals become impressively clear.
How well a cockatoo talks depends mostly on the species and on how much you work with it. We hand-raise ten species, so here is which cockatoos talk best, how many words to expect, and how to teach your bird its first words.
The best talking cockatoos
Among the species we raise, the standout talkers are the white cockatoos. The Sulphur-Crested cockatoo is the clearest and most enthusiastic, readily learning words and phrases, and the affectionate Umbrella cockatoo is close behind. The Moluccan and the smaller Goffin’s talk reasonably well, while the pink Rose-Breasted (Galah) is a moderate talker with a real flair for whistles.
| Species | Talking ability |
|---|---|
| Sulphur-Crested | Excellent |
| Umbrella | Strong |
| Moluccan | Good |
| Goffin’s | Moderate |
| Rose-Breasted (Galah) | Moderate |
| Major Mitchell’s | Low |
| Gang Gang | Low |
| Black cockatoos (Red-Tailed, Yellow-Tailed, Black Palm) | Low – kept for looks, not speech |
How many words can a cockatoo learn?
A motivated white cockatoo can build a vocabulary of a few dozen words, and some learn more. Just as important, cockatoos are brilliant mimics of non-word sounds – the microwave, the phone, a laugh, a dog’s bark or a wolf-whistle. Many owners find their bird copies household noises long before it says a clear word. Every bird is an individual, though: some talk constantly, others never say a word and communicate through body language and calls instead.
How to teach a cockatoo to talk
Teaching a cockatoo to talk is mostly patience and repetition:
- Start young and bonded. A hand-raised, well-socialised bird that trusts you learns fastest.
- Pick one short word (“hello”) and repeat it clearly and often, especially in matching situations – say “hello” every time you enter the room.
- Use an excited, upbeat tone. Cockatoos copy sounds that get a reaction, so reward any attempt with attention and praise.
- Keep sessions short – a few minutes, several times a day, works better than one long drill.
- Be patient. It can take weeks or months for the first word, and some birds prefer whistles. Never punish a bird for not talking.
All of our hand-raised cockatoos are socialised from a chick, which gives them the confident, people-focused temperament that talkers need.
Which cockatoos are the quietest?
If you are hoping for a talker, avoid the black cockatoos – the Red-Tailed Black, Yellow-Tailed Black and Black Palm – which are kept for their looks rather than their voices. The gentle Gang Gang and the beautiful Major Mitchell’s also talk very little. That said, “quiet talker” does not mean “quiet bird”: every cockatoo has a powerful natural call.
Do cockatoos talk? FAQ
Do all cockatoos talk?
No. Most white cockatoos can learn to talk, but ability varies by species and individual, and the black cockatoos rarely talk at all. Some birds prefer to whistle and mimic sounds instead of words.
What is the best talking cockatoo?
The Sulphur-Crested cockatoo is generally the best talker, with the Umbrella a close second. Both are white cockatoos with bold, people-focused personalities.
At what age do cockatoos start talking?
Many begin attempting words within their first year, but it varies widely. A trusting, well-socialised young bird given daily practice learns fastest.
Do cockatoos understand what they say?
They do not use language the way people do, but cockatoos are highly intelligent and often learn to link words with situations – saying “hello” when you arrive or “night night” at bedtime.
Whether or not your cockatoo becomes a talker, you will get a loud, expressive, endlessly communicative companion – just be ready for the volume that comes with it.
