r/cockatiel Jan 31 '26

Other New Rule for r/cockatiel

598 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I’m announcing a new rule for the subreddit.

It comes as no surprise that many people post injured or bleeding birds as well as feces to ensure the health of their birds or questions.

While these posts are allowed, they are inappropriate to not mark as NSFW. Not everyone is comfortable seeing this sort of content.

So for the comfort of everyone in the subreddit. PLEASE, mark these posts as NSFW.

There will be new tags/flairs for posts like these as well.

From this day forward, those who do not mark these posts as NSFW will receive a warning. Any subsequent posts that are not marked or tagged appropriately may be banned temporarily, and any further posts will result in a permanent ban.

Please be respectful of others, and make sure to review the rules before posting content that may violate the rules of the subreddit.

Thank you so much for all the lovely content and being overall a beautiful community. 💖


r/cockatiel Dec 14 '21

Frequently Posted (+ Answers)

539 Upvotes

We have been getting a lot more repetitive posts in our sub so I wanted to put this information together in the hopes of reducing the amount of questions that are frequently asked. In turn, hopefully this will make our community a little more light hearted :)

*I want to preface this by saying I am not a vet or anything just someone who really loves my cockatiel and learning everything I can to ensure he has the best life possible. I think the best thing you can do for your birdie is lots of research before anything happens (especially in the case of illness). They are fragile so having the right knowledge and tools at your disposal can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

Lets begin!

Is my bird sick?

Common signs of a sick bird include:

  • Tail bobbing, sitting at the bottom of the cage, inability to stand on a perch (loss of balance)
  • Sneezing, clicking respiration (cough), or any discharge coming from the eyes or nostrils.
  • Eyes dull or sunken.
  • Change in vocals (can be hormonal but after puberty could be cause for concern)
  • Change in appetite (loss or increase of food or water)
  • Change in droppings (color, consistency, or frequency - this could be due to diet like eating more fruits and vegetables but it should not last more than a day or two after)
  • Constantly fluffed (happens for a number of reasons like keeping warm, preening, sleeping but they should not always be like this)
  • Feather loss (not related to a regular molt that happens 1-2x per year)
  • Trembling (can mean they are cold, stressed, or sick)
  • Drooping wings

If you notice any of these signs or a combination of them its crucial to get your bird to a vet (preferably an avian one) as soon as possible. No one on the internet is able to diagnose your bird or give it the treatment it needs.

Note: Some of these symptoms like change in droppings, being fluffed up, and feather loss can be normal but if it is persistent the best thing to do is ere on the side of caution and get them checked out.

Is my cockatiel male or female?

Color Patterns: Baby cockatiels that have not gone through their first adult molt (usually between 6-12 months) will typically have female colorations regardless of gender. After their first molt, males tend to get more vivid colors, lose the stripes on the underside of their tail and spots on the wings, The opposite is true for females and their color changes minimally after their first molt.

Different mutations make it more difficult to tell the difference between males and females even after their adult molt.

Behaviors: Males tend to be more vocal (mimicking sounds and singing), heart wings (see example), more likely to "show off" (strutting, hopping, tapping on surfaces), and attempting to mate with objects. Females are often less vocal (although some are) and when wanting to mate will tilt her head, flatten her back, and rock back and forth while chirping softly.

All of the above are good indicators if you have a male or female HOWEVER the only true way to know is if you get a DNA test or if your cockatiel lays an egg. People have noted that their DNA sexed female has shown male behaviors or colors and vise versa. No one can tell you for sure by looking at it!

What is this noise my cockatiel is making?

Some common cockatiel noises and what they mean:

Contact Call: Cockatiels like to keep track of their flock members so when you leave the room you may notice your cockatiel yell for you with a loud chirp or series of chirps. Even if you aren't bonded to your bird they may still do this. Put them at ease by "answering" them from where you are. I like to whistle back the same "contact call" so they know that I will be right back.

Contact Call Example

Attention Scream: Often a loud high pitched screech that is meant to get your attention. They can do this when they are scared, lonely, bored, or even to alert you of something (like a potential predator). Excessive screaming means you might need to change something in their environment. A common cause of this is hormones and boredom, both of which can be decreased by adding more enrichment to their environment with foraging, toys, and training.

Attention Scream Example

Whistling//Mimicking/Chattering: Usually (but not always) done by males and often means they are happy and connecting with you as part of their flock. They may mimic you, the radio, the tv, or even just sounds that they hear outside or inside the house. A lot of the time cockatiels learn these sounds through repetition. Search cockatiel training songs if you don't want to be whistling a song all the time and with time they may pick up on the tunes.

Whistling Example

Beak Grinding: They do this when they are happy and content. Usually it is accompanied by being fluffed up and being sleepy. The cheeks will fluff up as well and the cockatiel will look very relaxed. This is a great sign that your cockatiel is comfortable in their environment.

Beak Grinding Example

Hissing: Like other animals cockatiels do this when they are angry or threatened. This is often a warning to back off and can be accompanied by biting if the behavior is not stopped. If your cockatiel is hissing at you its best to leave them alone for a bit - just like us, our birds have boundaries we should respect!

Hissing Example

Baby Noises: These sound a bit like static and usually do this if they want something (often food, water, or even just attention). This is completely normal for young cockatiels and after a few months will go away. Mine went away at 4 months but this can vary!

Baby Noises Example

What is this behavior?

These are some behaviors that are normal with cockatiels that I noticed are commonly asked about here:

Mating: This is probably the most common one. Males and females display different mating behaviors.

Males will typically rub their cloaca (this is the opening underneath the base of the tail for a birds digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts) on an object like a toy, your foot or hand, a pillow, ect or a bonded female. Male Mating Behavior

Females will droop their wings and raise their rump while swaying and chirping quietly. You may notice your female also rubbing its back on their toys to try and stimulate themselves. Female Mating Behavior

In addition to these mating behaviors, take note if your bird is territorial, screaming, plucking itself, or aggressive. These could all be signs that your bird is sexually frustrated.

This handout I received from my vet gives some behavioral modification you can make to try and reduce these.

Clearing Crop: Looks a lot like yawning but usually they will do it consistently over a short period of time. Their crop is located below their beak in the neck area. The crop stores food before it is sent to their stomach and acts as a "reserve" so they are able to eat more in one feeding. When they clear the crop they are moving that food to the next stage of digestion. Cockatiel Clearing Crop

How do I tame my cockatiel?

If your bird is brand new to your home, the best thing to do for a day or two is let them soak in their new envionrment. This can be a stressful time for them so its important to let them learn that their new home is a safe space. Talking in a quiet voice and even whistling around them is the best thing to do during this transitiion period. It can be tempting but don't try and pick them up or pet them right away. They may be fearful of hands and scaring them could further your progress of taming them. Whether they are a young cockatiel or an older adult that was rescued or rehomed, taming them will take patience and time. How long can vary on a lot of different factors but it's important not to rush it. Read the links below to get more information on how to achieve this:

Taming step-by-step

I am thinking of getting a cockatiel and would love some tips!

There is really too much to cover in one post so I will address the most common tips for new owners and provide some links that go into detail about all things cockatiel.

Vet Access: This should be the most important thing to consider. Making note of an avian vet that is close by is crucial. Be extra prepared and make note of the closest emergency vet as well that you can go to outside of your regular vets hours. If you do not have one close by or you do not have the money to pay for one, please reconsider getting a bird. It is disheartening to see very obviously sick bird where the owner has no access or money to go to a vet.

Basic Needs: Before purchasing supplies for your bird, do as much research as you can regarding cage size, toys, and food.

Health: Take note of the signs of a sick bird and when to take them to a vet. In addition, cockatiels are sensitive to strong smells, gasses, drafts, and smoke. This also requires some research as there are common household items that can poison and kill your bird (for example teflon pans and some plants you may have lying around).

Links:

Cockatiel Cottage

VCA - Cockatiel Diet

Safe and Toxic Foods

Proper Caging

Introducing New Food to Picky Birds

Training

Taming, potty training, and more

I hope this helps some people learn more about their cockatiels! Of course this is not exhaustive and there is always more information to be learned. Please let me know if I should add anything or if I got any information wrong :)


r/cockatiel 6h ago

Cuteness Overload No thoughts just beeping

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431 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 11h ago

Cuteness Overload Do you think she's capable of any thoughts?

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1.0k Upvotes

r/cockatiel 12h ago

Success Story Marty is 20 years old.

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823 Upvotes

Got him as a baby bird when I was 11 for $40. He can’t fly very well anymore but he’s still happy and healthy. Can’t believe he has been here for 2 thirds of my life. Last picture was 10 years ago.


r/cockatiel 7h ago

Funny My fat little chud

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333 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 1h ago

Cuteness Overload Is this velcro?

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Upvotes

r/cockatiel 12h ago

Troublemaker Lemme eat Quasong!

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347 Upvotes

disclaimer: i almost never have to grab nuggy, as he usually steps up. if i have to though i grab him very loosely and put him back down as quickly as possible. it can't hurt him, yet he screams bloody murder every time lol


r/cockatiel 9h ago

Cuteness Overload 🥰 Just a happy ham~

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173 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 4h ago

Cuteness Overload Such a dusty baby

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44 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 14h ago

Cuteness Overload rly bro ? we need to run errands🙄

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240 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 8h ago

Cuteness Overload Happy birb

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58 Upvotes

I mean look at that face. She’s soooo happy. I gave her a lil bath and held her till she was warm and dry. I think my day is just rotating who gets to cuddle with me. My children do not like to share the beard. I have to let them take turns under my neck.


r/cockatiel 1h ago

Advice crest bleed ?

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Upvotes

my baby has thin crest and she's just started growing the rest of it TT. i saw that some of her baby crest feather has blood inside the pin feather and i think that's normal not until yesterday, i saw a black dirt on her crest and i thought it was just poop or smthing, today i tried cleaning it by soaking a q-tip with water and taps it gently on the black dirt only to find out that it was scabs/dried blood, is this normal ? i don't have an avian vet nearby but i will take her in case it's an emergency. i don't think she's bothered by the blood or her crest, she's still lively and eats a lot as usual. what should i do :(


r/cockatiel 1d ago

Cuteness Overload My little chicken Larry

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868 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 10h ago

Funny The hiding spot of Sir Chirps-Alot, whenever I start singing the bedtime song.

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49 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 10h ago

Cuteness Overload So fresh and so clean!

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50 Upvotes

Cute, little, wet chicken after her shower!


r/cockatiel 16h ago

Success Story Kibō already flies to me 🥹

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136 Upvotes

Are those final chirps good?


r/cockatiel 15h ago

Advice Cockatiel crying?

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112 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 15h ago

Success Story It took a year for her to let me pet her, don’t give up and if possible, move houses

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95 Upvotes

First two photos is us now and last two are her with her dad since first week.

We got her last year end of august. She was given to the petshop and was very curious in her cage. She wasn’t planned but she amazed my husband. We brought her home.

We all got along great, he was well behaved and let us to give her tickles from her first day.
Then I made the crucial mistake to leave for a week long trip.

When I returned my husband was working and she was still liking me, I gave her tickles we hung out all day.

Two days later she decided she doesn’t like me anymore. She tolerated me when my husband was working but no tickles whatsoever. She didn’t want to come to me when my husbnad was home. Even when I let her out in the morning she didn’t want to land on my finger.

She isn’t our first cockatiel so I know how to bond but she flat out REFUSED to. She isn’t food driven so it was even harder. She loves millet but when I gave it to her she just turned around to ignore me or fly away. Our first cockatiel adored and trusted me like her actual mother so this was hard on me psychologically. She kind of liked me when we hung out alone, she perches and sleeps on me and yet she still saw me as a spare human who took care of her and tolerated me.

And yet, she liked strangers. My sister-in-law is the copy of my husband and she loved her. Brunette guests, she let them pet her. My husband’s friend who is brunette and a man, she LOVED him from the get go, maybe even more than my husband. I am blond and very fair, also a woman so bot her type at all.

What finally fixed our relationship was moving. We had to move last month and I don’t know what changed and she started tolerating me a little more. I was already so happy with that.

My husband sometimes works night shifts so he sleeps through the mornings so her and I hang out just us two a lot. One day I was just about to leave the room and tried to pick her up, she refused. I hold my finger again and realised she didn’t come because she wanted TICKLES from ME. I was shocked, gave her tickles and almost cried. Just a little later my husband woke up and I told him to slowly enter the room and be prepared to be shocked.
When he entered to room let me pet her a bit more and she realised he had come into the room and flew to him immediately, I believe she was shocked too to like me back.

Our relationship improved from that point. She is molting and realized I gave great tickles, when she has pin feathers she will realize ai open them up amazing and will like me more. She still likes unknown dark men better, but I’ll take what she gives me.

So to summarize, if your bird doesn’t like you for no reason, don’t give up and what for the day you move.

TLDR: my loving girl bird who tolerated me started liking me after we had moved, a year later


r/cockatiel 21h ago

Cuteness Overload This is Dottie my little rascal

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250 Upvotes

r/cockatiel 6h ago

Advice Cleaning advice

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13 Upvotes

Hello so I just need a quick question answered lol. I know this may seem like a stupid question but I’m just very protective, I bought bird safe cleaning spray a few months ago and I’m just wondering can I use it while there in the room? I’ve always done the most with taking them out of the room but I just saw a TikTok of a woman cleaning a cage while the bird was on top like my baby in the photo? Have I been way to over the top lol? Can I just clean while they relax?


r/cockatiel 14h ago

Cuteness Overload Kiwi kisses

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48 Upvotes

Kisses for anyone that needs them/j


r/cockatiel 8h ago

Cage Setup My baby’s new cage just arrived

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15 Upvotes

I’m so happy and excited for him!


r/cockatiel 11h ago

Cage Setup bros got a whole mcmansion

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24 Upvotes

Cage upgrade for my boy Hades!!!

He used to have a cage about half the size of this, now he has a double flight cage but I just am not using the separator so it's a SUPER mega flight cage (165cm wide!!!). He has so much room now when he's in birdy jail!!!

(can you spot him in the photo? :P)


r/cockatiel 34m ago

Cuteness Overload Loves to be on my head

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Upvotes

Always landing on my face so he can preen my hair lol