About Male Cockatiels

Cockatiels are small, social birds that make up just one of the approximately 340 known species of parrots. In the wild, cockatiels are mainly found in shades of gray, but these pets also can come in a variety of colors and patterns. It can be difficult to distinguish a cockatiel's gender, but to those with knowledge and discerning eyes, male cockatiels do exhibit some differences in both appearance and behavior.

  1. Physical appearance

    • Male cockatiels are slightly larger than females, and the coloring on their faces is deeper. In the case of gray cockatiels, males typically have bright yellow faces and dark gray bodies, in contrast to a female cockatiel's duller, brown-tinted body feathers and mostly gray face. Male gray cockatiels have solid gray wing and tail feathers, while females may have some spots, barring or other markings on the undersides. Male cockatiels of other color varieties often have bright orange cheeks.

    General Behaviors

    • Both genders are vocal, but females usually limit themselves to chirping sounds. Males are able to sing, whistle and talk, and because these birds can form strong bonds with their human companions, they often learn to repeat words and phrases those people repeat regularly. Male cockatiels, while friendly, are sometimes more reserved and a bit less cuddly toward people than are the females of the species.

    Mating Behaviors

    • Male cockatiels, even those that do not have female companions, often exhibit their aggressive tendencies through behaviors associated with the mating process. They will call and strut, puffing out their chests and lifting their wings, and they may especially enjoy doing this in front of a mirror. Females, on the other hand, tend to become bored with their reflections quickly.

    Breeding

    • No cockatiel should be bred until it is at least one year old, with 18 months the ideal mating age for the birds. Physically, the birds are capable of mating much earlier. However, there can be complications, with male cockatiels sometimes being infertile at this young age. Once male cockatiels are able to successfully breed, they remain fertile until the age of about 12 to 14, slightly longer than females, which are fertile only until they are eight to 10 years old.