Cockatiels are generally known as gentle, affectionate birds that make great pets. They are small parrots native to Australia that have become popular companion birds worldwide due to their calm nature, small size, and ability to mimic speech. But are cockatiels truly as friendly as their reputation suggests? Here’s a look at some key facts about cockatiel temperament and behavior to help determine if they are the right friendly pet bird for you.
Cockatiel Temperament
Cockatiels are considered one of the most docile and easy-going members of the parrot family. They tend to be much calmer and less prone to aggressive biting and loud vocalizations compared to larger parrot species. Cockatiels rarely exhibit aggressive behavior like lunging, chasing, or attacking as long as they are well-socialized from a young age. Their more mellow nature makes them one of the friendliest pet bird options for many owners.
However, like all parrots, cockatiels have their own unique personalities. While most are very affectionate and bonded with their owners, some may be more timid, aloof, or nippy. Proper handling, socialization, and training from a young age is key to ensuring cockatiels grow up to be friendly, tame companions. Even friendly cockatiels can go through hormonal changes and may become more territorial or aggressive when reaching sexual maturity or breeding condition.
Cockatiels are highly social flock birds and require regular interaction and time spent outside their cage to thrive. Cockatiels that are isolated or neglected can become depressed, stressed, and more prone to screams, feather plucking, aggression, and other problematic behaviors. Ensuring cockatiels receive adequate attention and enrichment is key to maintaining their naturally calm, gentle temperament.
Cockatiel Noisiness
While less loud than other parrot species, cockatiels are vocal birds that do make some noise. Their normal vocalizations include soft whistles, chirps, and contact calls that allow them to communicate with owners. Cockatiels can also learn to mimic whistles, words, and other sounds when handled regularly.
Some cockatiel behaviors like flock calls, singing, and loud screeches may be more problematic in an apartment or small living space. Female cockatiels are generally noisier and more prone to loud screeching than males. Providing plenty of toys and interaction can help curb excessive noise.
Cockatiel Affection and Bonding
Cockatiels are one of the most cuddly and affectionate parrot species when socialized properly from an early age. They thrive on close interaction and physical contact with owners and often enjoy perching or sitting on shoulders or laps. Gentle scratching around the head, neck, and cheeks is appreciated. Stroking a cockatiel’s back and wings can also be calming.
Cockatiels form strong bonds with owners, especially when hand-fed and handled regularly from the time they hatch. Even cockatiels purchased from a pet store or breeder as juveniles or adults can become quite friendly and loving with consistent, positive interaction over time. But because they mate for life, cockatiels often become most attached to one person.
Kid and Family Friendliness
Cockatiels are often recommended as one of the best pet bird options for families with children. Their small size and gentle nature make them less intimidating for kids compared to larger parrots. However, cockatiels must always be handled carefully under adult supervision to avoid injury. Loud noises, rough handling, and grabby kids can frighten cockatiels.
Cockatiels can make great first pets for older, responsible kids able to follow basic rules. Younger children may accidentally be too rough, but they can often successfully interact with family cockatiels by offering treats or saying hello without direct handling. Teaching children to move slowly and speak softly around cockatiels is key.
Handling and Petting
Cockatiels usually enjoy being petted and scratched, especially on the head, neck, and chest areas. Most cockatiels dislike being touched or petted on the stomach, wings or tail. New cockatiels may be shy or fearful at first but will often warm up to handling with patience and positive reinforcement using treats. Taming and hand-training techniques help create a stronger human-bird bond.
Cockatiels should be handled gently using both hands with careful support of their body to prevent injury if they flap or move suddenly. New cockatiel owners should start slow with short handling sessions until the bird is comfortable. With regular, positive interaction, most cockatiels will learn to happily interact out of the cage long-term.
Biting and Aggression
Biting is not very common with cockatiels. They may nip or lunge when frightened but usually become quite friendly and trusting when handled regularly. However, mistreated, neglected, or poorly socialized cockatiels are more prone to biting. Aggressive biting is most likely to occur during hormonal phases or breeding condition.
If a cockatiel does bite, react calmly without pulling away suddenly. Carefully transfer them onto a perch or into their cage. Yelling, jerking hands away, or other dramatic reactions can reinforce biting behavior. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are needed to curb nippiness or aggression in cockatiels.
Trainability
Cockatiels are highly intelligent and trainable birds. Their receptiveness to training and interaction makes them more engaging and friendly companions. With clicker training and positive reinforcement, cockatiels can readily learn tricks and commands like waving, nodding yes/no, spinning, flying to handlers on cue and more.
Even cockatiels that are initially fearful, aggressive or skittish often become much tamer and responsive to handling when conditioned through target and clicker training. Training strengthens the bond between cockatiels and owners for a more positive, interactive relationship.
Messiness
Cockatiels are relatively tidy birds that produce less mess than larger parrot species. Their small, concentrated droppings are easy to clean. They do still require time out of the cage daily for exercise and interaction which results in some dust, feathers, and food debris around the cage area. Using cage covers and confining play areas can help contain the minimal mess cockatiels create.
Cockatiels are light chewers that mostly nibble on treats or toy pieces rather than destroying large toys or splintering wood like some parrots. Food is also less likely to be thrown about or sprayed compared to messy parakeets. Overall, cockatiels are a fairly clean pet bird option suitable for most living spaces.
Talking Ability
Male cockatiels are more adept talkers than females, with some individuals learning to mimic many words and noises. The most talented talking cockatiels have large vocabularies of 50 words or more. However, not all males end up being proficient talkers. Some may only pick up a few simple words or whistles while others remain silent.
If talking ability is important, purchasing a proven older male cockatiel that is already singing and mimicking is best. Correctly pronouncing words and sounds helps teach cockatiels. Engaging in regular speech, singing, whistling, and quality bonding time encourages vocabulary development.
Compatibility with Other Pets
Cockatiels generally get along well with other pets when properly introduced and supervised. Small parrot species like budgies, lovebirds and other cockatiels can potentially make good aviary mates when compatible personalities are matched. Cockatiels may become aggressive towards much smaller birds however.
With proper precautions, cockatiels can successfully live in homes with other tame and gentle pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. Loud, excitable dogs that bark and chase birds are not recommended. Any interaction between cockatiels and other pets should always be closely monitored.
Lifespan
The average cockatiel lifespan is 15-20 years with proper care, though some may live to 30 years or more. A nutritious diet, roomy cage, toys, veterinary care, and engaging daily interaction all help ensure cockatiels live a long, healthy life. Monitoring for common cockatiel health issues is also important for longevity.
Time Commitment
Cockatiels are social flock birds that require daily interaction and supervision. A minimum of 1-2 hours per day should be spent engaging the bird outside the cage with training, handling, or free flight time in bird-proofed areas. Cockatiels cannot be left alone for days on end. They also benefit from conversation, singing, or other noise where they are not isolated.
Regular cage cleaning, feeding fresh foods, grooming, and rotating toys is also necessary. Owners that travel often or have very busy, inconsistent schedules may find cockatiels to be too high-maintenance despite their reputation as easy starter birds.
Costs
Cockatiel prices range from about $80 – $300 depending on age, appearance, lineage, breeder reputation, location, etc. Color mutations like lutinos and pearled cockatiels often cost more. Handfed, tame, adult breeder birds are generally most expensive. Pet store cockatiels tend to be cheaper.
In addition to the initial bird cost, a suitable cage, perches, dishes, toys, treats, and other supplies will likely total $150 – $300. Routine vet exams, lab tests, and illnesses may cost $100 – $300 per visit. A high quality pellet diet, fresh vegetables, seed mix and other food averages $15 – $30 per month.
Noise Level
Cockatiels are less noisy than many parrots, especially large species that scream, but they do vocalize regularly with soft chirps and whistles. These average 60-80 decibels. Louder flock calls, excited vocalizations, and screeching may reach 90+ decibels but not persistently. Overall noise can be moderate but manageable for apartment living.
Conclusion
Cockatiels generally make very loving, friendly companion birds when hand-raised and socialized properly. Their mellow nature, small size, soft voices, minimal mess, and enjoyment of human interaction make them one of the best options as starter pet birds, especially for kids or those new to parrot ownership. While every cockatiel has its own unique personality, most become quite bonded and affectionate when provided a spacious cage, enriching environment, healthy diet and consistent daily attention and handling.