Soporific?

[Bo]

Well, I have a young cockatiel who always wants to be with me...
He is usually quite active when I play other instruments, but when I play the flute he almost falls asleep every time.
I usually play classical repertoire. Maybe I should play something else? Something more exciting? Unfortunately though I only like classical music...

[Classitar]

Hopefully he's enjoying himself so much that he doesn't want to distract himself

[Arlee]

Maybe your flute playing is just that soothing

I used to have a similar issue with a dog of mine. When I played any instrument other than the flute he would barely notice but anytime I played the flute he would howl along with whatever I was playing (though his sense of harmony wasn't quite there )

[Bo]

Haha, it is interesting, as at the very beginning my flute playing seemed to agitate him. I think my sound quality has improved... I will bow to him in recognition of his recognition next time...
Incidentally, animals are very sensitive to music. Someone once posted on a piano board his/her dog was listening to him/her playing the piano and when he/she made a mistake the dog seemed to be very upset and growled....

[virginiak]

I took a lesson recently with a fabulous teacher in the area, who also happens to be a good friend of mine. She has this lovely dog, very friendly, but as soon as I would start playing, he would howl. It was a little disconcerting, everyone's a critic! Ha. My teacher/friend just laughed and said that he doesn't usually do that with students, but does when she plays sometimes, I guess when the volume gets a little loud. So poor puppy had to go downstairs while we finished up.

I echo the sentiment that maybe your bird is just so soothed by the flute music he is content to fall asleep. High praise from your feathered friend!

[fluttiegurl]

I have a Budgie who dances to the flute. When he was young, he would squawk. But as he grew up, he became more content and now just dances, and sometimes whistles. My students love him! He especially likes smaller kids.

[Bo]

Nice stories!

Anyway, animals don't hear exactly like us, hence maybe sometimes their weird reactions... My cockatiel also growls when I dial a number on my mobile, even when he is VERY far. He seems to hear that peeping human ears wouldn't hear at the same distance.

Recently, he also started to bark when he hears the dogs of my neighbour... He can bark pretty well, although more like a puppy than a dog...

[MissyHPhoenix]

I love it -- a cockatiel that barks like a dog!

I used to have a sun conure that could say "Daddy" and sound just like my daughter! What was really funny was when he would call it out in the middle of the night and my ex-hubbie would get up and go to see what our daughter wanted! "Daaaaaadddy" .... it was hilarious.

Animals are so much fun.

I do think that your bird falling asleep is a very nice compliment. All of my dogs have to get up on the bed (or couch, depending where I am playing) and cuddle up together to sleep when I am playing. I take it as a nice sign.

[Bo]

I would like so much my cockatiel to say "Mum" (or "Mom" ) to me.... Maybe he already does, I repeated the word to him several times, but it is such a short word, and cockatiels don't speak clearly, so he might already be calling me mum...

Yesterday I noticed something really funny. He was very nervous, climbing up and down the cage, pulling the tail of his toy mouse.... I started playing and he closed his eyes immediately, LOL. But I noticed that his crest was still up, which actually means he is paying attention, so I wonder if he just closes his eyes and daydreams, but is not actually sleeping.... That crest is somewhat suspicious.... Also, usually when he goes to sleep he puts his head under his wing...