Are Cockatiels Cuddly? (Find Out Now!)

Cockatiels are the cousin to the parrot and have the ability to ‘talk’ although not as great as an African Grey.

No wonder many people want to own a cockatiel, as they’re relatively easy to maintain and fun to observe.

However, even though they fluff up and can be sweet, it doesn’t always mean that they’re cuddly.

Whether a Cockatiel is cuddly or not depends on its personality and the trust they puts in you. They are a friendly type of bird that loves human interaction.

So, you’ll need to get to know your bird to determine whether it’s cuddly and wants to be treated as such. They enjoy having their heads and crests rubbed, as well as being spoken to and interacted with.

However, before you can get those cuddles, you must first gain your Cockatiel’s trust, which takes a lot of time, energy, attention, and patience. We’ll speak about this in this article.

Are Cockatiels Cuddly?

Cockatiels may not be as cuddly as your usual pet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t affectionate. As we demonstrate in this essay, these birds are among the most friendly pet birds available.

It is considerably more challenging to cuddle a cockatiel than to cuddle a dog, for example, due to its small size.

Cockatiels, on the other hand, are not so easy to lie on and embrace. As a kind of cuddling, a cockatiel will sit in the crook of your arm and snuggle against your body.

Your Cockatiel will also cuddle/show affection in the following ways:

Different Ways That Cockatiels Show Affection

There are several different ways that your Cockatiel will show affection. Some of those include:

• They might take a nap on your chest or shoulder.
• Gently nipping on your finger and dropping their head as though he wants to be scratched.
• To request attention and affection, it may push its head into your hand or face.
• Preening your brows or hair in the same way they would a member of their flock’s feathers
• They start chirping or whistling happily when they observe you enter a room.
• Cockatiels wag their tail feathers in excitement, which makes them look like dogs.

What Can You Do To Make Your Cockatiel Cuddly?

It’s recommended to keep your Cockatiel alone for the first day or two after you bring him home to allow him to adjust to his new surroundings.

You must understand that your Cockatiel is stressed as a result of being taken away from his previous home and placed in yours. He’ll need some time to acclimate and reorient himself.

Spending little time outside your Cockatiel’s cage is a good way to earn their trust. You can use this time to speak or read to your new pet in a nice and gentle tone.

Let your Cockatiel see you as a friend rather than someone to be afraid of. This is a slow process that should be done in five to ten-minute increments regularly.

Build Their Trust In You

You can progressively go to placing your hand palm open on the floor of the bird’s cage and allowing him to willingly step onto your hand once that initial confidence has been established.

Watch your Cockatiel’s reaction throughout the early phases of bonding, interpret his expressions, and don’t force your Cockatiel to be held.

Otherwise, any trust you’ve built up to this point could be quickly gone. It takes time and patience to develop a bond with your Cockatiel.

Your Cockatiel will simply fly out of an open cage to sit on your shoulder or gently rub its face against your cheek as a show of affection once it has formed a link with you.

Cockatiels tend to nip at their owners, which they do playfully, but if you have small children, you need to keep an eye on them.

Your Cockatiel can be fed by hand or let out of its cage to freely wander the house. Use snacks to entice your Cockatiel to come out of its cage with you, but don’t push it.

If you’d like, you might give your Cockatiel a piece of fruit that you’re eating to show him that you’re not trying to hurt him and that you’d like to become friends.

You’ll become your Cockatiel’s best buddy in no time, to the point where you’ll think your Cockatiel is infatuated with you.

Gaining a cockatiel’s trust is a complex process. Still, if you put in the time and effort to develop that particular bond with your Cockatiel, you will have a rewarding relationship that will endure for many years.

Cockatiel Breeding

Please consider a cockatiel as a pet only if you have the time to devote to them; they are gregarious creatures who require a great deal of attention and devotion.

Adopting a baby cockatiel is suggested for individuals who want to have a special link with their pet; done correctly, your Cockatiel will become your best friend.

Cockatiels Should Be Separated When They Can From Their Parents

Cockatiels raised by their parents are less likely to be friendly and trusting of their human companions.

Cockatiels who are young and are hand-fed are more likely to form a link with their human and “imprint” on them, causing the Cockatiel to regard them as its parent, allowing the Cockatiel to become tame and friendly while still being reliant.

Parent-raised cockatiels are more wary and self-reliant than young cockatiels, making them less likely to give you the cuddling and attention you crave.

However, earning the confidence and devotion of a mature cockatiel is not impossible; it is simply easier to do so when they are young.

While having two cockatiels in one cage is allowed, it can make bonding with your cockatiels slightly more difficult because they will most likely have a stronger affinity with one another.

That said, bonding with both of your cockatiels is not difficult; it simply takes a little longer.

You Need To Bond Your Birds

When you have two cockatiels, the bonding process is identical to when you have one.

Still, it is recommended that you adopt them at different time and keep them in separate cages at different locations of your house or apartment.

Bond with them individually before placing them in one cage together. Food is an excellent incentive and aid in cockatiel training.

Millet is a popular treat you may offer your Cockatiel. It promotes digestion and is a nice treat during stressful times like moving into a new home and training to be tamed.

Parent-raised cockatiels are more wary and self-reliant than young cockatiels, making them less likely to give you the cuddling and attention you crave.

However, earning the confidence and devotion of a mature cockatiel is not impossible; it is simply easier to do so when they are young.

While having two cockatiels in one cage is allowed, it can make bonding with your cockatiels slightly more difficult because they will most likely have a stronger affinity with one another.

What If Your Cockatiel Is Mean?

Cockatiels aren’t typically mean, but if yours happens to be, this is typically due to trauma or abuse.

If you adopted an older Cockatiel, there could have been some abuse or accidental mishandling that caused your bird to be wary of humans.

Also, if your Cockatiel was separated from its parents too late, this could be the reason that it’s timid or a bit more on the aggressive side. You’ll need to work with it to get it to learn how to trust you again.

Related Questions

Do cockatiels show affection?

Cockatiels show affection by making different types of noises, such as singing or chirping. They can also bang their different toys on their cage to get your attention.

They aren’t super vocal. However, you can train them to be and if they pick up on several songs, they’ll sing one for you.

Heather Robbins

Heather is an animal lover that has many of them herself. She currently has her Blue Nose Staffy named Bootsie, but she’s catered to many animals over the years including guinea pigs, alpacas, cockatiels, cockatoos, bunnies, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and more. She believes that knowledge should be the foundation of caring for any pet.