Do Cockatiels Recognize Their Owners?

Cockatiels are very much able to recognize their owners. They are gregarious, sociable and intelligent birds. They not only enjoy the company of other cockatiels, but they can bond with humans to the point they crave time and affection together. It is also known that cockatiels can bond with other animals in the home such as cats and dogs, although this will very much depend on the individuals involved.

There is a belief that a cockatiel will not bond with a human being if they live with other cockatiels. This belief is false. Cockatiels that are kept as companion animals and live in pairs or larger groups can also bond with their keepers. This is as long as the circumstances and care provided to the bird are such that bonding is able to occur.

Vision is the most developed sense in psittacine birds such as the cockatiel. As a type of parrot, the cockatiel is noted for their intelligence and ability. Their visual acuity is believed to be two to eight times greater than that of mammals, with a visual field of up to 320º.

Cockatiels also have a well-developed sense of hearing. Since they base a large part of their communication on vocalizations, strong hearing is essential for survival in the wild. There are studies that show cockatiels are capable of individually distinguishing individuals from their group by voice alone. When these birds live in captivity, they are also able to recognize and distinguish their owners by the sounds they make, including how we speak.

Conversely, smell is a poorly developed sense in parrots, It appears it does not play an important role in recognizing other individuals. This is notable when compared with pets such as cats and dogs which rely much more on scent. Discover more with our article on whether cats recognize humans by sight.

Taking into account their physical abilities and intelligence levels, we can conclude that cockatiels recognize their owners. This is something experienced cockatiel guardians already know since their bond is expressed in the behaviors they carry out with each other. To ensure this bond is fostered and maintained, it is important to spend time with the cockatiel and to speak to them for both visual and audio recognition.

Now we know that cockatiels can bond with their human guardians, it will be helpful to know both when the bond is established and to ensure it is being maintained. There are several signs of cockatiel/human bonding. These often occur because the cockatiel now sees their owner as their reference figure. Knowing when this occurs is reliant on both body language and vocalizations.

These vocalizations of cockatiels are a form of communication which is similar to, but not the same as, verbal communication. Many of us wonder whether cockatiels can speak like other types of parrots. While not as adept as some parrots in mimicking the human voice, they are capable of some level of imitation. They can repeat certain words or even short phrases which they hear frequently. They may repeat the things you say when they see you, a clear sign of recognition.

Other cockatiel bonding signs with humans include:

• Crest Position: nymphs are famous for the crest of feathers they have on top of their head. The position of these feathers varies depending on their emotional state. When calm, these feathers are usually in a neutral position (i.e. neither very upright, nor close to the head). When stressed or on alert, the crest feathers stand upright. When a cockatiel's crest feathers are in a neutral position when around you, it means they are relaxed in your presence. This can only happen if they recognize you as someone they can trust.
  
  
• Comfort: in the presence of strangers, nymphs tend to always remain in an alert position. When they are completely comfortable and calm with the people around them because they recognize them, it is common to find them resting, in a relaxed position. Learn more about the behavior of cockatiels which changes according to circumstance.
  
  
• Play: cockatiels are very active birds that love to play, especially with their owners. For this reason, it is common that when they see their trusted guardian they show an enthusiastic welcoming behavior. They may even offer their toys to try to attract attention and encourage play.
  
  
• Grooming: grooming behavior often occurs between individuals in a pair. It is not only a method to keep clean and free of parasites, but it is also a way of showing friendship and reciprocal understanding. This same behavior can be observed in cockatiels that are very trusting with their caregivers. If your bird climbs on your head and begins to peck you gently, or if they tilt their head toward you to be groomed, you should feel very lucky.

Learn more about cockatiel care with our article on the differences between male and female cockatiels.

Especially if it is our first time caring for a cockatiel, there might be some of us that are unsure if our cockatiel is recognizing us. We may not have the kind of bonding we expected, so it is understandable we will want to encourage it.

The first thing we must do is take into account the fact that cockatiels are prey animals in the wild. Out of necessity, they are naturally distrustful and have a strong tendency to flee. When a cocktail is adopted into the family, a period of adaptation is required. It is during this time the cockatiel gets to know us and gains confidence. This process must be gradual, so we should not expect immediate bonding when we adopt a bird like the cockatiel.

If you have just adopted a cockatiel, there are certain methods of encouraging recognition and forging a close bond which we can put into practice. These should result in a bond of trust and affection between you and the cockatiel:

• Provide a safe place to live and rest: the cockatiel's cage should not be place of confinement, but one of refuge and rest. By providing the animal with a safe environment, they will feel calm and it will be easier for them to begin to trust you. In addition, you must provide the animal with good basic care (i.e. food, hygiene, etc.) in order to guarantee their wellbeing. Only once these needs have been met will a bond develop.
  
  
• Allow them to leave the cage daily: even if the cage has become a safe place of refuge, it is important for a cockatiel to experience some level of freedom on a daily basis. This will allow them to explore a larger environment, exercise their wings and play. It is usually at this time the bird will approach their guardians to seek contact and interaction. When you let the cockatiel out of their cage, you will need to stay calm and speak in a soft tone. You can also use positive reinforcement in the form of treats to reward interaction.
  
  
• Do not force the situation: as we have mentioned, cockatiels are animals that tend to be suspicious of unknown people. In the first days after adoption, it is important to respect the animal's timing and not force contact. An early unpleasant experience can make it difficult to create the bond we are looking for. You should not pick the bird up with your hands either. This practice tends to greatly stress birds. Be patient and allow the bird to gradually work up to approaching you of their own volition.

To ensure we provide the right level of care for a cockatiel, it is vital we understand the fundamentals of their diet. You can learn more about this with our articles on what cockatiels eat, as well as the various forbidden foods for cockatiels.

If you want to read similar articles to Do Cockatiels Recognize Their Owners?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.