Are parrotlets smarter than cockatiels?

Answers:
no

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No they aren't.

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Most parrotlets are more comparable to the Budgie than they are to Cockatiels. As for intelligence, most birds, regardless of size, are very intelligent and have the capacity to learn a variety of things, such as talking, performing tricks, and responding to verbal commands. Having worked with both types of birds, I have found the Cockatiel tends to be easier to teach than parrotlets for the most part. Parrotlets are more aggressive than Cockatiels, and are harder to handle if not taught from an early age.