Can a Cockatiel and a Parakeet Live Together? Facts & FAQ
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Parakeets and cockatiels are social creatures that need companionship to thrive. Both species would be found in flocks alongside many other birds in the wild. But what happens when you place two companion birds of different species together?
If you currently own a parakeet and are curious if you can adopt a cockatiel (or vice versa), yes, you can. These two species are perfectly compatible. However, there are some things you need to know. Read on to learn more.
Do Parakeets and Cockatiels Get Along?
Cockatiels and parakeets often live together in the wild, so it’s normal for two companion birds to live harmoniously.
In most situations, you wouldn’t have to worry about the two birds fighting for domination. Though cockatiels are the larger of the two species, parakeets tend to be more dominant. Luckily, since parakeets are smaller, the odds of it showing aggression to the larger cockatiel is low.
Cockatiels and parakeets can share a cage, but it’s not always ideal. This is assuming, of course, that the cage in question is big enough to house two birds. You should never try to squeeze two birds into a small cage as there wouldn’t be enough room which may lead to fighting.
Considering your bird’s unique personality is important as you weigh the pros and cons of introducing a new species into your home. Every bird comes with its own temperament, so yours may be more aggressive or territorial than the average.
The most important thing to remember when housing the two species together is that each bird has its own needs. Therefore, provide separate food and water dishes and ensure the cage is big enough for both to have their own space.
The Top 7 Tips for Housing Cockatiels and Parakeets Together
1. Get a vet check for the new bird.
Take your new pet to the avian vet as soon as you acquire it before you expose your current bird to it. Your vet should do a thorough physical exam. They may recommend wellness testing to screen it for diseases.
2. Put the newcomer in quarantine.
Birds can carry diseases, many of which can be contagious and fatal. Once you get the go-ahead from your vet that your new pet is healthy, quarantine it in a separate and isolated room for at least one month. This will give you some time to become acquainted with your new pet without the prying, jealous eyes of your original bird. The quarantine will also afford you time to notice any curious symptoms or behaviors that could indicate illness.
3. Bring the cages together.
Once the quarantine period passes, you can place the two cages in the same room. Ensure they are several feet apart so the birds can have the opportunity to get accustomed to the sights and sounds of one another. As time goes on, you can slowly begin moving the cages closer. This can take several days or weeks, depending on the personality of your birds.
4. Allow them to meet.
Once they are used to the sight and sounds of each other, you can introduce the two while you monitor closely. Remember that your new pet has entered the original pet’s territory and may be considered a threat. Certain interactions may need to occur between them to work out their budding relationship. For example, your birds may hiss or puff up their wings, completely normal behaviors for birds new to each other. Of course, if they become violent or aggressive, intervene and keep them separate.
You can continue trying to introduce them, but remember that some birds will never acclimate to one another.
5. Put them in the same cage.
After several out-of-cage meetings, you can put both birds in the same cage for a short period of time. Using a new, neutral cage is best so neither bird becomes territorial over its space. Repeat this every day until your birds begin to play together.
6. Ensure the cage is the appropriate size.
Forcing a cockatiel and parakeet to share a cage that’s too small for two birds is a recipe for disaster. Your pets need a place to isolate themselves if they feel it necessary. There should be enough room in the cage to fly around and enough perches and toys to avoid disputes. For this reason, it’s much easier to keep multiple birds in an outdoor aviary than in an indoor cage. Of course, your climate may make this impossible, but it’s worth considering if you live in their native Australia or somewhere with decent weather year-round.
Bar spacing is another thing to consider when getting a cage for your cockatiel and parakeet to share. The cage bar spacing should be ½-inch. While you may get away with larger spacing for a cockatiel alone, your parakeet is a smaller bird and can get into trouble with too far apart bar spacing.
Better yet, consider keeping your birds in two separate cages. Then, they can still communicate and spend their days together outside their cages without you needing to worry about territory disputes.
7. Get them their own food bowls.
As mentioned above, your parakeet and cockatiel will need separate food bowls if they share a cage. This can help prevent aggressive and territorial behaviors, but it’s also necessary because each species has different dietary requirements.
You should watch them closely during mealtime to ensure they don’t steal one another’s food. Because parakeets are smaller than cockatiels, eating pellets and seeds meant for the larger bird can be dangerous.
Final Thoughts
Cockatiels and parakeets can get along swimmingly, provided they are properly and slowly introduced to one another. Whether they can share the same cage will come down to your individual birds. Some easygoing parakeets will be content being in the same cage as their cockatiel companion, but not all of them.
Please don’t leave your two birds by themselves until you’ve had a chance to gauge how they treat each other. Never force cohabitation on unwilling birds. If your cockatiel and parakeet can’t seem to get along, you’ll need to cage them separately and monitor every moment they’re out of their cages.
