Q&A for How to Tell if a Cockatiel Is Male or Female

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  • Question
    My cockatiel is having a hard time learning to sing. The veterinarian confirmed he is a male. What can I do to help him learn?
    Community Answer
    Repeatedly whistle the tune to him; if he does manage to sing (or even to begin to), reward him with his favorite treat.
  • Question
    What does it mean if my cockatiel squawks and chirps when a certain type of song is on?
    Community Answer
    It probably means it enjoys the song. But if it's an angry squawk, it probably doesn't like it.
  • Question
    Why does my bird bite me?
    Community Answer
    Your bird might not trust you. Try to get close to your bird slowly and let them come to you. wikiHow's article on taming cockatiels might help you as well.
  • Question
    I have two cockatiels: one is male and the other one is female. Will they talk if they're together, and should I separate them?
    Community Answer
    Of course cockatiels will communicate with each other. They'll likely be happier together.
  • Question
    If I have one female bird who laid an egg, will there be a baby cockatiel, or no?
    Community Answer
    Unless the egg was fertilized by a male bird, no. Female cockatiels cannot reproduce by themselves.
  • Question
    I want to keep two birds just as pets. What's would be best, males or females?
    Eunice Choi
    Community Answer
    If you prefer vocal cockatiels, males are the way to go. Females are less vocal. If you don't want much social time with your pets, I don't recommend cockatiels. They are very social birds and yearn for attention.
  • Question
    How long do male cockatiels live?
    Community Answer
    They live at least 10-15 years, but usually 16-35 years.
  • Question
    What can I do if one bird is attacking the other?
    Community Answer
    Try to separate them. Make sure the bird stays away for at least a few days.
  • Question
    At what temperature should I incubate the eggs?
    Community Answer
    Within a range of 35 to 40.5°C (84.5 - 104.9°F) there is the possibility of eggs hatching. The optimum (for hens) is 37.5 °C (99.5°F). Above this temperature, as well as a reduced hatch, there will be an increase in the number of crippled and deformed chicks. Above 40.5 °C (104.9°F) no embryos will survive.
  • Question
    Can I buy a cockatiel for a pet?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can buy a cockatiel for a pet, but make sure you do plenty of research about taking care of them first because it's a big responsibility.
  • Question
    Is it normal for a bird to regurgitate after eating a lot of food?
    Community Answer
    No. A cockatiel will only eat as much as it needs before it is full. Regurgitation is from one bird's mouth to another's as a form of courting. Vomiting is what you described and can be serious. You should get an navian vet ASAP.
  • Question
    How can I tell the age of my bird that I just got as a gift?
    Community Answer
    Normally you can justify by the plumage of the tail and face and see if the beak is pink or grey (pink means it's younger most of the time).
  • Question
    What is the right age to tame a cockatiel?
    Community Answer
    Usually young juveniles, it will be harder to tame the bird when it gets older.
  • Question
    What type of nesting box is the best?
    Community Answer
    Nesting boxes that give both the male and female room and preferably made of wood should do the trick. If not, ask an avian vet for advice.
  • Question
    My bird seems to find my brother attractive. Is this normal?
    Community Answer
    Yes, some birds just take a liking to particular people!
  • Question
    How can I tell if my cockatiel is diseased?
    Hailey Cook
    Community Answer
    Watch for unusual behavior, like your cockatiel refusing to eat or be active.
  • Question
    What happens when a male and female mate, but then stop getting along?
    Community Answer
    Nothing, you can just separate the birds so they don't bother each other.
  • Question
    How big does the cage for a cockatiel need to be?
    Community Answer
    It’s better to go a little bigger for cockatiels, as most don’t like small or confined spaces. For one cockatiel, a five square meter cage is ideal.
  • Question
    Can I tell the gender of my 3-week-old cockatiel?
    Community Answer
    No, you need to wait until the cockatiel has some adult plumage. Usually you can tell when they are 6-9 months old.
  • Question
    How do I stop my cockatiel from masturbating, biting, and hissing at me?
    Community Answer
    The surest way to get him to stop masturbating is to find a partner with whom he can bond. With regard to the biting and hissing, it will take time for him to get used to you. Approach him slowly, avoiding sudden movements and loud noises, taking low and soothingly while he develops trust.
  • Question
    Do male cockatiels lay on the eggs as well as the females?
    Community Answer
    Both male and females sit on the eggs. When the female is getting food, the male will sit on the eggs.
  • Question
    What is the least social species of cockatiel?
    Community Answer
    There is only one species of cockatiel, and all of them are social if you tame them properly.
  • Question
    Can I keep a budgie with a cockatiel?
    Community Answer
    It’s better to keep them in separate cages with supervised time out together, but sometimes different species can get along well enough that they’ll be able to share a cage.
  • Question
    Do male cockatiels have spots under their wings?
    Community Answer
    No, males will lose them after their first molt. Females will always keep the spots.
  • Question
    How can I find out if my bird has mites?
    Community Answer
    You could take him to a vet if he is itching a lot or acting strangely.
  • Question
    Does sex matter in taming technique?
    Community Answer
    The sex does not matter. What matters is your cockatiel's personality.
  • Question
    Why is my male cockatiel always inside of his nesting box?
    Community Answer
    He may find the nesting box a safe place to hide away, which would indicate that your bird is feeling unsafe or nervous in his environment. It's also possible that he just finds it comfortable in there.
  • Question
    My cocktail is white, but I'm still not sure about it's gender. Can you help?
    Community Answer
    If it’s more vocal, it’s most likely a male. With white cockatiels, it's harder to tell the gender.
  • Question
    My two birds are dancing a lot, is that okay?
    Community Answer
    The birds might be doing a mating dance, or they might just be playing, but the dancing shouldn't be harmful in any way.
  • Question
    What is a nesting box, and what is it used for?
    Community Answer
    It's a place for them to sleep or lay eggs, it's basically a nest for pet birds, similar to what birds build for themselves in the wild.
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