Cockatiel Bonding Signs (All You Need to Know)

Cockatiels have ways to show how they feel. If you notice that your bird’s body language shows no interest, your relationship with your cockatiel needs work. 

So, do cockatiels have bonding signs like other animals? The answer to that is yes. If you see your cockatiel crouching its head forward, its body relaxed, and its head feathers are up, it means that he needs you and he trusts you. 

On the other hand, if your cockatiel is rolling on its back and its claws are extended, and its beaks are open to bite you when you touch them, it means your bird doesn’t like you. 

Like humans, birds have ways to communicate, to let you know whether they’re happy, sad, sick, cold, or frightened. 

Also, cockatiels are capable of talking. However, their vocabulary is not as good as a parrot, but you teach them to say a few words like “hello”, or “I love you”. 

Male cockatiels have more tendency to talk than females’ cockatiels. If you want your cockatiel to talk a specific word or phrase, then repeat it until your bird gets it. 

You should be aware that your cockatiels also talk to communicate with you. To remind you that you need to check them sometimes, especially if they’re alone outside.  

Suppose you hear your cockatiel squawking differently and sounded like it’s urgent. It means that it is threatened by animals bigger than them.

Taking care of birds is different from dogs and cats. Cockatiels need gentle care and time to bond with their owners.

Indeed, cockatiels have lots of characteristics and personality you should know before getting one.

If you want to understand your cockatiels bonding signs, this article is for you.

How Do I Know If My Cockatiel Is Bonded?

Bonding with your new pet takes time and a lot of patience, since birds don’t trust easily. 

In your first few weeks with your cockatiel can be complicated and full of frustration. If it’s still a baby cockatiel, they take time to form bonds than an adult cockatiel.

However, baby cockatiels can adjust more quickly, but they need a lot of time to establish new bonds.

How long will you know if you already bonded with your cockatiel? If your cockatiel starts coming towards you and doesn’t leave your side, that’s when you’ll know you’re already bonded with them.

Below are the five signs that you will know if your cockatiel is bonded already with you.

1. Wants To Be Near You

The first sign that usually shows up that your cockatiel likes you is they want you near him/her. 

A scared or untrusting cockatiel will fly away when you approach him/her home.

If your cockatiel is sitting till and watching you, it means that he/she is making up her mind to be friends with you.

Watch your bird’s characteristics if it becomes timid and no longer moves away when you come near him/her. Eventually, it will begin to move towards you and choose to be as close as it can.

A confident cockatiel becomes evident in their approach. It may climb or hang from the bars, begging you to sit on your hand or shoulder.

It may also ask you to come to its nest nearer by bobbing its head or straining its head towards you.

2. Copying You

You may also notice that your bird is close to you when it sometimes mirrors your simple actions. If you’re napping, it may also start to feel sleepy.

When you have two cockatiels, and the other one is preening, it means that its companion may notice that their feather needs attention.

Also, when the other one is eating, the other may decide to have a snack.

Moreover, if your birds reflect your actions or feelings for their pet owners, it’s the sign that it is bonded to you already.  

If they see you eating, he may also head to his/her food dish or if he/she may also dance in your favorite song.

3. Becomes Excited To See You

The third sign that your bird is bonded to you when they become excited when you enter the house or return home after being away.

It may bob its head, or it makes a sound to make you come near him/her. Your bird’s excitement increases their alertness and interest.

Some birds may scold their owner for leaving them by squawking aggressively. Whether, what kind of sounds and signs of their excitement your birds show, your bird misses you when you’re away.

4. When It Talks To You

Your bird will respond when they feel they are comfortable around you. If you want to train your cockatiel, make sure it already trusts you.  

A cockatiel is bonded to you when they openly mimic or starts repeating your loving words to them. Like saying I love you to them, and they repeat the words you said.

Your bird already knows and trusts you a lot, and you can take their expression as a sign that they already bonded with you.

5. If They Ask You To Pet Them

Other birds never come to the point that they wish you to pet them. Some birds don’t enjoy touching their feathers.

Birds also have personalities that you need to understand. An old cockatiel doesn’t need too much effort to bond with than a young cockatiel that doesn’t quickly get comfortable when you stroke their feather.

However, this is a natural step in the bonding process with your cockatiel.

You will also know that your birds want to communicate with you during quiet and in a relaxed atmosphere.

If your bird doesn’t want your presence, it may also cause the environment you are in with them.

Do Cockatiels Recognize Their Owners?

A cockatiel can recognize their caretakers, and they are very responsive to their caretaker’s voices.

It is a kind of bird species that is easy to train. They are also the perfect pet for children and adults since they are smart and socialize when they are already bonded with you.

Cockatiels are smart. You can teach them to do tricks, and they love to make you laugh. Indeed, cockatiels are phenomenal birds that you can take home.

Do Cockatiels Bond For Life?

A cockatiel is an amiable bird; it holds affection for its mates forever. Cockatiel’s mates aren’t just their breeding partner, but they see their mate as one with their life too.

Mates can also be two males or two females, so it’s normal for the other to feel lonely if one dies.

Some birds know to mate for life, but others also choose a new mate in every breeding season.

In the wild, cockatiels choose their mate and stay together until they die. It is why if you see a cockatiel at the store with a companion, get them both.

Moreover, these birds are very loving, cuddly, and show their love and devotion to their mates as long as they live.

Cockatiels Signs Of Affection?

As an owner, it’s your role to gain your new pet’s trust. It is the same with having a new lover; you can’t just sit there and do nothing and expect him/her to do what you want them to do.

Cockatiels also test you to get their affection. Once you achieve getting their trust, expect that they will; genuinely love you until their last breath.

Your bird’s affection will depend above all on how you treat and care for them. So, if you treat your bird right, your bird will also do the same thing to you.

Below are the five types of cockatiels affection you must know:

1. They Will Always Pick You

Cockatiels are very showy. They show their love to their owner. Usually, they put on their hood while singing, lift their wing and straighten up their upper body.

They do this to get the full attention of their owner’s time. Also, cockatiels have explicit references when it comes to socializing with people.

2. They Stick With You Like Glue

Birds also show their affection towards their owner like their courtship ritual. Their feathers in their head and jaw area are up, their upper body is raised slightly, and their pupils are dilated.

A cockatiel will do everything to impress you as an owner, so be prepared for so much life coming from your little feathered friend.

Also, your birds become inseparable from you. Your bird can go far enough that you can’t put them in the cage while you are doing your shower.

3. Tender Loving Care Is Essential

A cockatiel loves to care. However, this depends on your bird. TLC or tender loving care is not essential to all types of birds.

However, if your bird is cuddly, expect that you need to give them a lot of time. Your pet will ask for your time.

4. Loves To Play

You can spoil your bird sometimes, so your cockatiel loves to play with toys. If you’re purchasing a toy for your cockatiel friend, make sure that it’s colorful because they love colorful stuff.

One of the toys they love is bells. In some cases, you might see a bird fall asleep with the bell beside it.

Make sure that you put a piece of wood for your cockatiel top peck and chew on. A ladder can also be an excellent addition to their everyday routine. A ladder also gives extra spice because your feather friend also loves to climb up and down.

5. Too Much Affection

It is the last sign of affection that your cockatiel can show you. In this sign, your cockatiels demonstrate too much affection that they see you not as a friend but their mate.

Their behavior towards you becomes different. If this happens, make it stop or reject it.

Moreover, don’t worry about your relationship with your birds; it won’t get damaged. Just be gentle in rejecting them.

Indeed, the sign of affection that a cockatiel can give is fantastic. It can be your loyal friend and your best companion.

Summary

In summary, cockatiels have unique ways to bond with their owner. Its bonding sign is a unique way that they can show that they trust and love their human.

A cockatiel is a pet that a child or adult can have. It’s loving and can bring joy to your family.

It is also great to have a companion that will appreciate your effort, like cockatiels.

Lastly, if you have a cockatiel at home, take good care of them; they might show you too much affection; still, they are a lovely pet you can have.

Resources

Image credits – Canva

[1] How to Know if Your Cockatiel Likes You – Cuteness

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