Things You'll Need
- Play stand
Instructions
Sex your birds. If you want your cockatiels to fall in love so they will mate, you need to find out their sex. Sexing cockatiels visually is difficult. While some general physical attributes may show gender, the only 100 percent accurate method is a DNA blood test at your veterinarian. Another test requires feeling the pelvic bones of your bird. The pelvic bones of a male cockatiel are close together and sharp; a female's pelvic bones are further apart and more flexible. Generally, males tend to be more vocal and may learn to sing and talk earlier than females. However, a small percentage of females sing and talk early, too. Males also have distinct body language, such as pulling their wings back while whistling.
Introduce two cockatiels by placing their cages next to one another. This gives them time to get to know each other while feeling safe in their established territory.
Look for bonding or mating behavior before letting cockatiels out of their cage at the same time. Bonding behavior includes perching, eating and preening at the same time. Do not put them into the same cage until you know they get along.
Open their cage doors and allow the birds to play and exercise at the same time. Place a play stand on a neutral surface outside the cages for the birds to get familiar. If they like each other, they will visit each other's cage.
Look for courting displays. A male will tap his beak to get the female's attention. Male cockatiels will strut, bow their head and hop for a female with which they want to mate. Males will also whistle at the female and scream or screech at her.