How to Tell If My Cockatiels Are Mating

Cockatiels are attractive parakeets from Australia. Under natural conditions, mating typically takes place in the spring, but cockatiels in captivity will mate year-round. A newly introduced pair may not necessarily pay attention to each other immediately, but will eventually begin to sit and eat together and take part in mutual grooming or preening.

Things You'll Need

  • Pair of healthy cockatiels, at least 18 months old
  • Veterinarian
  • Breeding cage
  • Nesting box
  • Commercial breeding pellets
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a healthy pair of cockatiels for your breeding program.

    • 2

      Ensure that the two birds are not closely related to each other. Breeding cockatiels from the same bloodline often causes deformities and health issues in their offspring, including misaligned beaks and deformed toes.

    • 3

      Make sure that the pair is well-nourished. Potential breeding cockatiels should be fed breeder pellets for 3 months prior to breeding.

    • 4

      Ensure that both cockatiels are at least 18 months old. Younger males are often infertile and younger females may experience complications, such as egg binding. Breeding at a young age depletes nutrients that these juveniles need to develop into healthy adults. The chicks from young parents also frequently suffer health issues.

    • 5

      Take the cockatiels to your veterinarian for a prebreeding health check. Ask that he checks the potential breeding pair for any nutritional deficiencies or sub-clinical infections.

    • 6

      Place the cockatiels in a separate cage and supply a nesting box measuring 9 inches by 11 inches by 12 inches. The opening should have a diameter of 2 1/4 inches.

    • 7

      Observe the pair closely. The male or cock bird will have a yellow face and no barring on its tail.

    • 8

      Observe the cockatiel's behavior. The male bird will whistle a great deal. The male cockatiel will hold his wings out from his body, stand tall on his toes and move his head about. The male bird will also tap his beak repeatedly on the nesting box or wire and will repeatedly look or climb into the box.

    • 9

      Watch to see if the female accepts the advances of the male. If this is the case, the hen will lower her head and raise her tail.

    • 10

      Observe the actual mating. The male will climb onto the female by mounting her back from the side. He will bend his tail under the female's and position his vent over hers. The male will rub his vent against the vent of the female and move his tail from side to side.

    • 11

      Wait for copulation to end. The male will preen the female and continue to whistle as he copulates. The hen will make cooing vocalizations during copulation.