Cockatiels aren’t the most cuddly of birds with the majority preferring a scratch on the head or neck as opposed to a full on cuddle . The personality of your cockatiel, whether or not you’ve built a strong bond and to some degree the birds upbringing will decide if your cockatiel is open to cuddling or be left to their own devices. In short cockatiels can cuddle but it’s far from their preferred method of affection. 

Do Cockatiels Like Being Held?

As is the case with parakeets, lovebirds. parrotlets and most other smaller pet birds, cockatiels only like being held by owners or individuals that they have bonded with, especially if they’re older in age.

If a cockatiel is used to being held, particularly due to how its original breeder would’ve likely handled them enough to make them more comfortable around the prospect of being held, you should be fine doing the same. If they have no experience being handled in the past, picking them up now will likely result in the wanting to bite you.

Obviously if a cockatiel is injured you should only hold them if absolutely necessary and even then it’s best for a trained professional to observe their injury so they don’t injure themselves further.

If say your cockatiel still comes to you even with its injury, holding them very gently and carefully is doable too.

Do Cockatiels Like Cuddles?

Cockatiels do like being pet and sometimes even cuddled by owners with whom they have a strong bond with. There are a fair few relatively noticeable signs you can observe if your cockatiel is up for a cuddle or would rather be left alone.

Though do keep in mind that birds as a whole aren’t the most cuddly of pets out there, they much rather prefer being in your vicinity whether perched up on your shoulder, doing tricks around you or on your desk, whistling to you etc.

If a bond has been formed they’d much rather prefer head and neck scratches. With that being said do bear in mind you will want to avoid scratching specific areas like the chest or wings as those areas are often reserved for their mates and could maybe result in your parrot getting aroused as opposed to the friendly more platonic relationship you’re probably after.

I tturn the lack of scratches on these areas if you did do so prior could stress the little bird out due to your cockatiel now actually considering you as their mate.

How Do Cockatiels React When Cuddled?

The reactions will depend on their mood and the quality of the bond the two of you have built. As mentioned above you can to some degree assume a cockatiels based on their body language and how chirpy they are that day.

Some signs to look out for if they’re up for cuddle or a scratch would include:

• Coming right up do your hand.
• Climbing on you and walking towards your face and touching their head on yours.
• Laying on your chest or around you would likely mean your cockatiel is open for a pet or Cuddle.
• The more affectionate cockatiels may even softly bite your hand wanting to you to pet them.

As for the signs that often mean your cockatiel is sad and would rather not be cuddled include the following:

• If they’re constantly biting you the moment your hand go nears, it is best to avoid them.
• If they have fluffed up feathers despite warm weather, there’s a good chance that your cockatiel isn’t in the best of health.
• When a cockatiel is molting they can be in some pain so, in that situation its definitely not a good time to go in for a pet or Cuddle.

Now keep in mind although cockatiels can cuddle with their owners, whether or not they actually do will be dependant on the personality of the tiel. Some will be open to it whilst others will do everything in their power to stop you from touching or scratching them no mater the mood.

Do Cockatiels Cuddle Other Animals?

The same scenario applies here, depending on the personality of the cockatiel the bird may be willing to cuddle other animals whether more docile creatures like rabbits, guniea pigs, hamsters and even dogs.

Cockatiel who are mating will obviously cuddle too, whether it be when sleeping or showing affection to one other when awake, with both parties rubbing their heads together.

With that being said dogs or other more carnivorous animals like cats could potentially cause a fatality as their natural instincts could potentially kick in. If you want to train your dog and cockatiel to be friendly with each other to the extent where they can cuddle together, you would always need to keep an eye on the scene just to be safe.

When Can You Cuddle Your Cockatiel?

As long as the bird is not in pain and is in a happy or playful mood some cockatiels will certainly be open to the cuddle here and there although it is best to allow them to come to you first.

Furthermore, if even after you’ve built a bond, spending 4 – 5 a hours day with your cockatiel in the process yet they’re still uncomfortable or standoffish when you attempt to embrace your little parrot, what this ultimately means is that your cockatiel just isn’t the affectionate type and there is no point in trying to convince them to cuddle as they likely never will.

Either way, it’s best to observe your cockatiels body language and allow them to make the first move as the last thing you’d want is to make your feathered friend sacred of you and aggressively bite you out of fear.

Summary

If a cockatiel is open to being cuddled or just is has an overly affectionate personality, provided the two of you have a solid bond and you allow it to make the first move, it’s certainly possible to get a cuddle from your little feathered friend.

Cockatiels aren’t always going to be open to a cuddle whilst most would rather not be cuddled at all. However, there will be the occasional few that have been trained since birth who are willing to cuddle their owners. As for cuddling with their partner, that’s a given as long as their relationship is healthy.