Will Cockatoos & Cockatiels Fight if Put Together?

Cockatoos and cockatiels live in the rainforests of Australasia and Southeast Asia, although their climatic adaptability has led them to colonize other habitats including savannahs. As both types of bird can become bored, it is recommended to have two or more birds in the enclosure, or else be prepared to spend a lot of time keeping it occupied. Bored birds are likely to develop bad habits such as loud screeching and feather plucking.

  1. Differences and Similarities

    • Cockatoos and cockatiels are both members of the parrot family and share more similarities than differences. Both birds frequently have crests on top of their heads and both species have joint parenting duties where both the male and the female feed their young. Both birds also experience a complete change in plumage after their first molts. The major difference is, of course, the size, with the cockatoo being substantially larger than its cousin the cockatiel, and it is this difference in stature that leads some owners to fear for the safety of the smaller cockatiel upon introduction to a flock containing cockatoos.

    Aggression

    • Although aggression is not natural behavior for either cockatiels or cockatoos, such aggressive instincts can arise in individual birds. This aggression may be manifested against the bird's owner or other birds within the flock. Sam Foster of Parrot House has observed that aggression in cockatoos and cockatiels is most common in cases where a sexually developing male has been separated from his breeding pair, although she says that this is not always the case. Foster maintains that birds bought and sold through advertisements in newspapers -- rather than from more reputable and responsible sources -- are more likely to have been inadequately bred and reared, leading to unusual behavioral patterns.

    Managing Aggression

    • Emma McCaffrey of Cockatiel Cottage has identified a three-step method for dealing with this sort of behavior. McCaffrey recommends taking time to identify the cause of the aggressive behavior, stating that it is usually a sign that the bird is under stress or dissatisfied with something. Observe its behavior and watch for any warning signs that might be signifying an attack of aggression. These signifiers include biting, hissing, raising one leg or turning away. Once the cause of the stress has been identified, attempt to reinforce desirable behavior in the bird by rewarding it with praise and treats when it is well behaved, and ignoring it when it is not. Thirdly, McCaffrey recommends nurturing your pet's personality by talking to it in a gentle voice and acting calm around it. Cockatoos and cockatiels respond to our demeanor and energy levels, so it is wise to spend a lot of time instilling feelings of calm into the bird.

    Quarantining

    • Another problem that comes with keeping these two types of birds together is the problem of disease. While cockatoos and cockatiels do not naturally carry diseases harmful to each other, the introduction of any new bird into a flock from an outside location carries the potential to spread disease. Veterinarians recommend a period of 90 days in quarantine, during which the bird should be watched closely and examined for any exhibition of disease. As many avian diseases are airborne, it is vital to keep the new arrival out of the airspace of the flock, not simply out of contact.