Which cockatiel makes a better pet? Male or female?

Does it even matter?

In general, it won’t make a difference whether you get a male or female cockatiel as they both require the same dietary, housing, financial and attention needs. However, there are a few differences that might make you choose one gender over the other, which we’ll discuss in this article.

You’ll also learn the biggest problem with female cockatiels that may prompt you to adopt a male.

Male Vs. Female Cockatiels: Personality & Behaviour

All birds are different and their personalities and behaviours have a lot to do with their upbringing.

Despite this, there are certain personality traits and behaviours that are mostly shown in one gender and not the other. For example, mounting objects is male behaviour as that’s how they mate, but females do not mount objects.

Let’s discuss some of the other key behavioural differences!

Which Gender Is More Affectionate?

Both male and female cockatiels can be affectionate companions.

In the wild, both genders take part in caring for the eggs and then feeding the babies, which requires a good deal of affection. A cockatiel’s upbringing is a big factor that determines how affectionate they will be, not their gender.

A lot of bloggers just claim that females are more affectionate without any evidence.

I think this idea comes from the fact that females naturally show less hostility than males, but this doesn’t mean they’re more affectionate.

Which Is More Aggressive? Males Or Females?

A study was done on combative/antagonistic cockatiel behaviour with mate selection during the breeding season. The result of that study showed that male cockatiels had a much higher rate of aggression than females.

However, this isn’t to suggest that females cannot be aggressive.

It also doesn’t suggest that male cockatiels are aggressive monsters hell-bent on violence.

It simply means that males are inherently combative in certain situations while females are more submissive.

Are Male Cockatiels Bigger Than Females?

There has been no data to suggest male cockatiels can grow bigger than females.

If you look at a flock of cockatiels, you’ll see no difference in their sizes.

All cockatiels, regardless of gender, grow to about 12 – 13 inches on average, according to Wikipedia. Genetic factors can make certain cockatiels bigger or smaller, but this has nothing to do with gender.

Many bloggers claim that males are bigger than females without any supporting proof.

Can Both Male & Female Cockatiels Talk Or Sing?

Male cockatiels are the talkers, mimickers, and singers!

Both male and female cockatiels share the same anatomy, including the syrinx, so they’re both fully capable of making the same sounds. Since males are natural attention seekers, they’re more likely to pick up and mimic words, phrases, and songs.

Female cockatiels will normally stick to flock calls and other natural sounds.

The Number 1 Problem With Getting A Female Cockatiel

Males have their fair share of issues, such as being more prone to aggression in certain situations, as mentioned earlier. However, there’s 1 big problem that nearly all owners of female cockatiels have had to deal with:

Egg-laying issues.

Obviously, egg-laying issues are female-exclusive as males don’t lay eggs.

This one problem is what personally lead me to adopt a male cockatiel over a female.

Common Egg-Laying Problems In Female Cockatiels

One common issue is chronic egg-laying, which is when a bird lays too many eggs for its own good.

According to Lafeber, this issue is common in cockatiels and can lead to calcium deficiencies, weakened bones, and a deterioration of the overall body condition. All of these can lead to poor general health for a female cockatiel.

And there are SO MANY things that can trigger this issue:

• Warm weather

• Exposure to certain lights

• Being able to shred (paper, cardboard, and other materials)

• High-fat foods

• Being pet along the back

Pretty much anything that can make them hormonal can also cause egg-laying problems.

Not to mention that males don’t even need to be present for females to lay eggs and develop egg-laying issues.

Related: 6 Ways To Stop Chronic Egg-Laying In Birds

Many owners of female cockatiels get confused about what to do when chronic egg-laying occurs, which is something male cockatiel owners don’t need to deal with.

Egg-binding is a different, but equally serious issue that happens to female parrots.

Egg Binding & How It Affects Female Cockatiels

Egg-binding happens when the female cockatiel can not deliver the egg from her body.

In other words, the egg that has already developed within the female will stay in her body, which can happen due to a number of reasons. According to VCAHospitals, egg binding can be the result of a nutritionally unbalanced diet.

Egg-binding is a potentially fatal condition if not treated quickly.

Knowing how easy it is for a cockatiel to become egg-bound and possibly die is what led me to adopt a male instead of a female.

Isn’t it better to have a cockatiel who wasn’t prone to such a serious condition?

Learn More About Egg Binding In Cockatiels: Its Causes, Symptoms, & How To Prevent It

Conclusion | “Should I Get A Male Or Female Cockatiel?”

So… Should you get a male cockatiel or a female?

In my personal opinion, I believe male cockatiels make better pets due to not being prone to such serious health issues. However, I also believe female cockatiels deserve as much love as males, so I wouldn’t discourage you to get a girl.

As long as you’re prepared for the possible egg-laying issues, female cockatiels can make great pets!

This article might also be a little biased as I only look after a single male cockatiel.

Just to reiterate:

Male cockatiels are arguably easier to care for as they can’t have egg-laying problems, but there’s nothing wrong with adopting a female as long as you’re ready for these issues.

Hopefully, this article has helped you make a decision.

But once you adopt your cockatiel, do you know how to care for it properly?

If not, this beginner-friendly cockatiel care guide will teach you everything you need to know:

Cockatiel Care 101: The Ultimate Cockatiel Care Guide For Beginners

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11179567/
• https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Egg-laying-problems-Klaphake.pdf
• https://www.birdexoticsvet.com.au/factsheets/2020/6/2/chronic-egg-laying
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/egg-binding-in-birds