Bringing a new bird into your home is an exciting experience, and for many, that journey begins with the charming and intelligent cockatiel. These captivating creatures offer a unique companionship, distinct from that of traditional pets like dogs and cats. While dogs might eagerly greet you with a wagging tail and cats prefer a gentle rub, cockatiels communicate their needs and affections through a fascinating array of behaviors that can initially seem perplexing to new owners. This guide delves into the common behaviors of cockatiels, offering insights gleaned from years of shared living, to help you better understand and bond with your feathered friend.
Cockatiel Lessons from Elvis: A Pioneering Companion
My own introduction to the world of cockatiels began with Elvis, a normal gray, whom I welcomed into my life at the age of nine. Coming from a background of dog ownership, Elvis presented a stark contrast. Unlike my dogs who were eager for attention and readily accepted petting, Elvis was shy and timid. His initial reactions to being handled were hisses and nips, a far cry from the unconditional affection I was accustomed to. It became clear that understanding Elvis would require patience and a willingness to learn his unique language. Through trial and error, I began to decipher his preferences. I discovered his penchant for shredding paper, a habit that once led him to a letter from a pen pal. A pivotal moment came when I placed him on the bathroom counter; he was instantly captivated by his own reflection in the mirror. This fascination evolved into whistling at his reflection and, surprisingly, an enjoyment of the steamy environment created during my showers.
Witnessing these behaviors, I initially worried about his well-being. He would frequently bang his beak against reflective surfaces like mirrors and countertops, and even my mother’s lacquered vase. I feared he was injuring himself, mistaking the flakes that naturally occur from beak growth for signs of damage from head-banging. His routine of whistling, hopping, beak-banging, and more whistling became a peculiar yet endearing spectacle. I was eager to share this with my friends, who were accustomed to cats and dogs. During a birthday sleepover, I attempted to introduce Elvis, but he responded with a nip and a hiss, clearly not in the mood for an audience. My friends were unimpressed, and I was disheartened, wanting them to see the wonderful companion I knew Elvis to be. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: my cockatiel, much like any creature, valued his personal space and downtime, especially around bedtime. Fortunately, the 21 years I shared with Elvis provided ample opportunity to learn his distinct likes and dislikes, making him an excellent, albeit unconventional, teacher.
Cockatiel Lessons from Gracie: A New Chapter
By the time Gracie, my current male cockatiel, joined my household during Elvis’s senior years, I had accumulated considerable experience in understanding cockatiel behavior. However, Gracie still managed to surprise me with his own unique quirks. He shared many traits with Elvis, including a tendency for beak-banging, whistling, and hopping. Like Elvis, he also exhibited occasional “hissy-fits” if his personal time was interrupted. Gracie introduced new behaviors, such as hanging upside-down in his cage and flapping his wings enthusiastically whenever I approached to change his cage liner, often resulting in a shower of his “birdie debris.” Comparing him to a friend’s female cockatiel, I noticed a difference in vocalizations; the female tended to be more of a chirper than a whistler and seemed more content snuggling on a shoulder, whereas Gracie (and Elvis) preferred interacting with their reflections. Despite these differences, both sexes share common behaviors, such as fluffing their cheek feathers when relaxed, softly grinding their beaks when content, and emitting a high-pitched chirp to signal their attention – essentially their way of saying, “Did you hear that?!”
Common Cockatiel Behaviors Explained
While the term “normal” can be quite fluid when discussing cockatiels, several behaviors are commonly observed among these birds. Understanding these actions can significantly enhance your bond with your pet.
Beak Bonking
A male cockatiel may frequently bang his beak hard against his perch, food cup, toys, or the ground. This action is often a form of seeking attention from an object of affection. This “object” can be another bird, you, a toy, or even their own reflection in a mirror. When a cockatiel is particularly engaged, he might lean in closely and whistle enthusiastically while performing this behavior.
Hopping
Hopping is frequently observed in conjunction with beak bonking. This behavior is often an escalation of their efforts to get attention or express excitement. When a cockatiel hops, especially while also engaging in beak bonking, it signifies an intensified display of their feelings or intentions.
Hanging Upside-Down
Some avian enthusiasts report that their cockatiels exhibit a behavior of hanging upside-down and stretching out their wings. This can be interpreted as a territorial stance or a way for the bird to assert dominance over its space. Additionally, they might hang upside-down and flap their wings as a form of physical exercise, similar to how humans might stretch.
Hissing
Most cockatiels will communicate their displeasure or a desire for you to back off through a distinct “hiss.” This vocalization is often accompanied by a forward lunge of the beak. This warning is generally a preference over resorting to nipping, indicating that they would rather communicate their boundaries vocally before escalating to a physical interaction. Learning to recognize and respect these signals is crucial for building trust and a positive relationship with your cockatiel.
