Budgies are known for their loving, active, talkative, social, and bossy nature. On the other hand, cockatiels are gentle, playful but quiet, affectionate, timid, and with a chill personality.
Now, because of their different traits, you might be curious to know, do budgies and cockatiels get along? The answer is yes. In the wild, flocks of budgies and cockatiels live peacefully together. However, larger species can be hostile to each other for some time during the mating season. Likewise, budgies and cockatiels can get along in captivity if a proper introduction is done.
But do budgies and cockatiels also get along with other parrot species, and can they live in the same cage? In this post, you can find out this and much more.
Do Budgies and Cockatiels Get Along
Yes, in most cases. For instance, budgies, also referred to as parakeets, get along perfectly well in the wild with cockatiels. This is because the two parrot species don’t view each other as a threat despite cockatiels being larger than budgies.
However, while these social birds usually get along in the wild, they have territorial behavior regarding their nesting areas. This is common, especially in the breeding season. During this time, territorial budgies and cockatiels may not get along well because the American parakeets tend to be aggressive in guarding their nesting places.
But how about in captivity? Do territorial budgies, and larger cockatiels get along too? Yes, but this depends on how well you introduce these types of birds to each other. Here is how to go about it.
Step 1: Cage The Birds Side By Side
The first thing to do is house your two beloved birds in separate cages with plenty of space. Then, put them in the same room at a distance and give them time to observe each other for several days.
Step 2: Release The Existing Bird From The Cage
Next, allow your current bird to roam freely in the room while the new parrot stays in the cage. This way, your pet bird can decide if it wants to meet the family’s latest member. Ensure to limit physical contact.
Step 3: Free The Parrots From Their Cages
Now it’s time to let your budgies and cockatiels out of their cages so they can play and interact some more. However, don’t force the parrots to get out of their perch space.
Next up, return to step one if you spot aggressive behavior from the two pet bird species. This is until you are satisfied that the individual birds are getting along.
Step 4: Teach Them To Share
If you plan to house the budgies and cockatiels in one closed cage, you must train the friendly birds on simple things such as sharing their food. This is to help minimize fights. At this point, your baby parakeets and cockatiels should have gotten used to each other.
Can Budgies And Cockatiels Live In A Single Cage?
Yes and no. If you introduce both bird species properly, these sociable birds will learn to get along. As such, you can house them in the same cage most of the time. Here is a video with tips on how to make the birds get along:
However, according to bird experts, it is not advisable to let your budgies and cockatiels live in one cage for reasons such as:
- Individual personalities
- Diet requirements
- Difference in size
- Breeding period
- Cage size
The comparison table below summarizes the reasons these pet bird species should not stay in one cage.
| Differences | Budgies | Cockatiels |
| Temperament | Active, feisty, noisy, and bullies | Docile, sweet, timid, easy-going, and calm |
| Diet needs | Typical diets comprise 60 – 80% pellets | A mixture of 25% seeds and 75% pellets |
| Size of bird | 7 -8 inches from the beak to the tail’s tip | 12 – 13 inches long with long tail feathers |
| Cage requirements | 12 x 18 x 18 inches standard size | 24 x 18 x 24 inches minimum size |
| Aggressive behavior | Territorial aggression during the breeding season | Aggressive due to hormonal changes in the breeding season |
| Producing dust | Little amounts of bird dust | Large amounts |
Also read: Why Is My Budgie Panting?
What Other Birds Get Along With Budgies
Besides the Australian cockatiels, budgies can get along with many kinds of birds. This can be either in their elaborate habitat or in captivity since they share many similarities. Some of these bird varieties include:
- Rainbow lorikeets
- Zebra finches
- Monk and Cuban parakeet
- Green or common parakeet
- Turquoise parrot
- Eastern and green Roselia
What Other Birds Get Along With Cockatiels
Because of their peaceful and companionship nature, these kinds of birds can easily associate well with a variety of smaller and larger parrots. Examples of companion birds are:
- Bourke and king parrots
- Turquoise parrots
- Red-crowned parakeets
- Double-Barred finch
- Grass or American parakeets
Any Other Tips To Make Budgies And Cockatiels Get Along In Captivity?
As a bird owner, how you introduce both species of birds to each other matters a lot. But apart from this, there are additional tips to make budgies, and cockatiels get along, including:
- If you already have a young budgie, you should also get a young cockatiel. Young birds tend to be more accepting of other smaller parrots than larger birds.
- House the two types of parrot species in a giant birdcage with plenty of perches. The birds need enough room to move and play freely.
- Don’t be quick to introduce the breeding birds to each other. Instead, allow them to get used to one another while they are in their individual cages.
- Keep your feathered friends separate during the breeding period. Both parrots usually become aggressive for a while, putting budgie chicks at a higher risk of injuries.
- Always watch out for signs of aggression from the birds like biting, screaming, hissing, and whistling.
FAQs
Want to know more? Check out these commonly asked questions about English budgies getting along with cockatiels.
Yes, you can since both are friendly birds. This is as long as you introduce these birds properly to each other. However, it is not advisable to let them stay together during the mating season.
Yes, they do despite their size difference. This is perhaps because male and female cockatiels are calm and timid birds. As such, they rarely defend themselves from attacks. Bored budgies, on the other hand, can become feisty because of lacking lots of mental stimulation.
Related: English Budgie Vs. American Budgie
Conclusion
In most cases, budgies and cockatiels will get along perfectly well, even in captivity. However, this depends entirely on how well you introduce the birds to each other. It is even possible to keep these two captive parrots in one cage. Besides, active parakeets and cockatiels can get along with many other parrot species.
