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Question:

February 3, 2026

Cockatiel cuddles with soft clucking sounds


Hi, we thought we got two male cockatiels, but one seems more like a female, supposedly about 7 months old. We have had the birds for a month, and the male is from a reputable breeder about 3 months old and they’re in separate cages. This female bird is from a quality pet store, quieter, was scared to step up, but now comes out excitedly, cuddles in your neck and shoulders. In the past week, she cuddles on me making low pitch clucking sounds and sometimes her tail feathers seem lifted higher. We all (parents and two kids) scratch both birds heads a lot, not their bodies and they love it. They spend most time out of the cage perched on macrame plant holders, top of their cage or our shoulders. They don’t like each other too much. The baby male is clumsy and she gets annoyed with him. He likes to mimic her and he sings a lot. My husband and I grew up with birds and never saw a bird so happy and snuggly. The male is also so sweet and wants to be held all the time, or have us nearby. Does this sound like a female and should I be concerned about the tail and clucking sounds? Thank you!


Answer:

Hi.

It sounds like you have two sweet babies. For now, handle them as you do. Its best for them to have their own cages, so don’t worry about them not liking each other. Since one may be a female, its best that they don’t get along very well anyway. Enjoy them separately so they remain good pets.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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