Do Cockatiels And Parakeets Get Along?

Cockatiels and parakeets do not usually get along well when kept in the same cage. There are a few exceptions to this, but they are uncommon.

Cockatiels can be playful and sociable with other birds of their species, but that is not always the case for cockatiels with parakeets.

The reason for this has to do with size, weight or age differences between the two types of birds. If these three things are too different between one bird and another then there will be problems no matter how much time they spend together beforehand.

Parakeets have powerful beaks as do cockatoos which means that if a cockatiel bullies a parakeet it may do some serious damage because it doesn’t feel like it’s hurting the other bird because of its size.

Cockatiels do not generally do well with small birds but they do do well with larger parrots such as our Indian ringnecks or even large macaws.

What Is A Cockatiel?

A cockatiel is a large parrot native to Australia, breeding as far north as latitude 23˚S (about Noona in Queensland). It has long been known that the Aborigines were keeping and using cockatoos for their feathers.

Cockatiels are also found widely in Indonesia where they have often been killed by hunters for meat and their beautiful bright feathers used to decorate ceremonial attire.

Cockatiels are docile but often will bite if defending its territory or nest box. They can also be problematic pets because of this temperament, yet they produce an exceptionally high volume of noise when vocalizing.

All these factors make them difficult pets for some people and the care required makes this bird one more suited to people with large amounts of free time available.

Cockatiels are gregarious and do best in pairs or small flocks however birds kept singly do not do well with this type of environment, becoming quite vocal and neurotic.

The cockatiel is similar in appearance to the cockatoo, but has a smaller crest and a more “parrot-like” beak. They do, however retain the ability to cock their crest feathers like other cockatoos do.

The color mutations vary greatly, but are not as spectacular as those of the budgerigar or Australian parakeet. Cockatiels enjoy human company and often form extremely strong bonds with their owners.

What Is A Parakeet?

A parakeet is a small, brightly colored bird that is popular as a household pet. They live for years and are very intelligent and easy to train.

There are many species of parakeets but the most commonly found in captivity are budgies, also called Australian or English Parakeets because they were first discovered around Australia.

Months after being hatched, some baby birds will have their gender determined by their coloring—the brighter yellow-toned budgerigar (aka “Budgie”) chicks should be male while the duller olive green hens should be female.

This color difference fades with age until both males and females look nearly identical.

Their tails extend horizontally when they perch high up, thus making them easily seen from an aerial view.

Budgies do very well in their cages, but do not do well if confined to a cage for long periods of time. They need lots of room and will do their best if allowed outside once in a while or kept with another parakeet or other birds.

Similarities And Differences Between Parakeets And Cockatiels

Parakeets, Cockatiels, and Budgerigars are all part of the parrot family. They do have a lot in common such as;

• plumage (baby birds do not look like the adults),
• lifespan,
• their love for spending time outside of their cage watching you do things (that makes them feel involved in your life) and
• they do love to spend time outside of their cage hanging out on your shoulder.
• personality is also similar—they are all extremely social and love being with you which makes them great pets.
• they enjoy eating many of the same foods such as, seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables.

How Do You Know If Your Cockatiel And Parakeet Are Getting Along?

It’s nearly impossible to tell if a parakeet and cockatiel are getting along without direct observation, but the most accurate indicator is that they have nearly identical cage areas.

This means that they may not share a single perch, or set of perches, but their cages are clustered next to each other.

Both birds should also have plenty of space left over for their toys and food dishes, as this would indicate that they both feel more like peers than squabbling foes.

However, there’s no easy way to overcome disagreements over favorite sections of any home so it will always remain important to provide ample personal space for both birds in order for everyone to thrive.

How to get the two birds to live in peace?

There are many ways to achieve peaceful coexistence between birds, here are some tips:

1. Introduce them slowly. If you do intend on introducing these two species, do it gradually. Do not simply place one bird into the other’s cage and expect them to get along. Instead, do things slowly, and in short time increments so as to avoid any unwanted aggression.
2. Before placing the birds together for the first time, spend at least a week observing them. Each day, do something that will encourage the birds to interact with one another, such as giving both of the birds equal attention on a daily basis.
3. Do not try to pair them up if they are ill or at their weakest point. It is important not to put your parakeets and cockatiels together if either has an illness or if they do not get along. Doing so will never be beneficial for either of them.
4. Move cage sets around from time to time. Be sure to keep your birds on their toes by moving the cages around in order to keep them from getting bored. This helps prevent territorial behaviors, as well as aggressive ones, by keeping things fresh.
5. If you do decide to move your cockatiel and parakeet’s cages, do so gradually. Keep them together for a few days before moving the cage of one of the birds. This will ensure that they do not miss each other or feel too lonely after being parted from their buddy.

What types of things should be avoided when keeping these two species together?

1. Avoid food supply getting low. This could lead to fighting for food or even one bird killing the other to eat.
2. Do not introduce them when either is hungry or tired. If you do introduce them at these times, do it very slowly and in short increments of time.
3. Avoid putting two female birds together. Females tend to be more aggressive towards other females.
4. Allow plenty of room for them to have their own personal space when they are in the same cage, do not place perches right next to one another or allow them on top of the same toys.
5. If you do not have the time to do this, then do not keep these two birds in the same cage.

What are some of the risks associated with keeping a cockatiel and parakeet together?

Beak wounds may occur if one bird decides to attack the other for mating purposes or as a way to show aggression. Scratches on the face or even death may result from this.

A parakeet or cockatiel that is too large will be able to seriously injure another bird if it should decide to do so. This includes attacks from either birds. If you put two or more birds together in a cage, do not leave them alone unsupervised.

Both cockatiels and parakeets do not do well when they are kept in the same cage if they do not do so naturally. This can result in fighting, which may lead to serious injury or even death for one bird.

If this is happening, do not continue to keep them together as it will never resolve itself.

Keep all of the birds in the cage fed on a regular schedule. This will do away with any squabbling over food, as well as ensure that one bird does not starve to death because it was unable to get any of the food while its companion did.

Why should you choose one over the other?

Depending on your schedule and how much time you have to care for your birds, a cockatiel or parakeet may be better for you than the other.

Parakeets do not enjoy being held by humans as much as do cockatiels do. The same can be said about playing with toys and mimicking human behavior.

If you do not have a lot of time to spend interacting with your bird, then a parakeet may do the trick for you. A cockatiel, on the other hand, will need more attention in order to be properly cared for and have a healthy emotional life.

If noise level is an issue for you, then choosing your bird based on this factor would be beneficial. Parakeets are known for being very noisy birds.

If you do not have time to spend cleaning, then a parakeet may be the better choice for you as well. Cockatiels do need more attention when it comes to their cage cleanliness and overall health than do parakeets do.

Which is better for a pet – a cockatiel or a parakeet?

Both birds make great pets, as mentioned previously, it is based on what you want in a pet and how much time you have to tame and socialize with it.

A parakeet will do well if you do not have much time to spend with it, while a cockatiel can do well as long as you do take the time to interact with him/her on a regular basis.