Parakeets and cockatiels produce offspring but, it is possible for the two to build a bond similar to how birds in love would act meaning they can technically mate. The reason why offspring can’t be produced is because parakeets are a part of the genus Melopsitticus Gould whilst cockatiels fall under the genus Nymphicus Wagler. 

As a result of this significant genetic diversity between the two, despite both birds falling under the parrot species as a whole, they cannot produce hybrid birds even if they could technically still mate.

Why Can’t Parakeets And Cockatiels Mate?

This is ultimately down to the fact they are completely different genetically even though they are both parrots. Parakeets are part of the genus Melopsitticus whilst cockatiels fall under the genus Nymphicus Wagler.

Both birds are part of the Psittaciformes family but cockatiels fall under the sub family of Cacatuidae

What this means is that technically if a parakeet and cockatiel of the opposite sex grew up together and built a bond similar to what the could with companions of the same genus, they would be able to mate. They simply wouldn’t be able to create a unique parakeet, cockatiel fledgling hybrid.

Do note that this behaviour of different birds mating with others is far from a common occurrence so even if you were to put the two together, don’t expect love to brew.

Can Cockatiels Mate With Other Birds?

Yes cockatiels can mate with other birds, provided they fall within the same genus bracket as them.

Irby J. Lovette, director of the Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program at the Cornell Lab Of Ornithology, stated that about 10% of the 10,000 bird species out in the wild are known to have bred with another specie.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be unheard of cockatiels to breed with other birds within their genus despite being different birds.

After all, the main reasons there is such a large diversity in the colors of plumage, physical features and so on is as a result of avians breeding with different birds within their genus.

More often than not cockatiels will breed with others cockatiels but, in the odd occasion where a cockatiel may have only interacted with a cockatoo of the opposite sex and in turn built a strong companion like bond, it is possible for the birds to mate and in turn produce a hybrid.

Can Parakeets Mate With Other Birds?

Yes, parakeets can mate with other birds provided they fall within the same genus as them.

Much like cockatiels, if a rose ringed parakeet and a budgie for example were to build a bond beyond just friendship, it would be possible for both birds to mate and in turn produce offspring.

It’s one of the reasons why parakeets have a variety of uniquely interesting plumage colors, which is most likely down to these avians breeding with others in the same genus.

What Would Be The Negative Side Effects Of They Did Mate?

There wouldn’t really be any negative side effects if cockatiels and parakeets were to mate. They would generally treat each other as they would any other companion.

I guess you could say that the negative side effect would be the lack of insemination and in turn no potential for offspring being produced

Although this isn’t completely related to mating, the more common outcome would be some form of infighting between the two as the personality of each avian will ultimately determine how they interact.

Cockatiels and parakeets are among the more social birds but, it is still possible for disagreements to occur which could result in fights, which in my opinion is a far worse outcome than just the lack of offspring.

Summary

In summary although technically speaking it is possible for cockatiels to mate with parakeets, it wouldn’t result in anything physical being produced such as a clutch of offspring.

Parrots can build a bond with anyone as long as the genuinely like them, they do so with their owners all the time. Taking into account cockatiels and parakeets are recognised to be relatively social birds, they could build an equally strong bond with each other mirroring the kind of courtship each parrot would have with the same genus.

With that being said although possible, cockatiels and parakeets actually mating is extremely unlikely.