I have a parakeet that is 4 years old and a cockatiel who is 2 years old. Recently I have observed my parakeet feeding the cockatiel in a nesting box.
2007-02-18 05:20:01 · 9 answers · asked by Jill S 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
THat would mean that they are 'flirting' or getting ready to mate. But they cannot cross-mate so don't expect eggs.
For example, when parakeets and cockatiels mate they are placed in a cage with several or one nesting box, when they are ready to begin mateing they court at first, the male feeds the female and the female lays in the nesting box. After this, the female will spend most of her time in the nestin box getting ready to lay the eggs. This might take a while, depending on the bird. After the eggs are layed, the female would sit on the eggs and care for them waiting for each of the to hatch. After this, in a period of 2-3-4 weeks or so the eggs should hatch, and you should have a number of pink featherless tiny chicks. You must start hand-feeding the chicks because they are definetley not old enough to eat seed, eggs (Etc.).You have to learn how to make the special mix that the chicks need and feed it to them throgh something, I recommend an eye dropper. Eventually the chicks would get older and be able to eat seed and such, and at this period they are ready to be re-homed or put in different cages.
The second thing this might mean is that the parakeet's instinct is telling it to mother the cockatiel. They can tell if the other bird is youger, or older and the parakeet will decide to mother for the tiel. Which would mean feeding and taking care of it in general. For example, you might see the parakeet get bedding ready for the cockatiel or something like that.
Best of Luck!
2007-02-18 05:37:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like love. Seriously, I think your parakeet may be "in heat", ready to lay eggs, but any eggs she lays will not be fertile. It's pretty common for female birds to lay eggs even when they do not have mates. Your Cockatiel is definitely not going to be her mate since Keets and Tiels do not mate.
Having a nesting box in the cage encourages egg laying, too. I think you should remove it. The only reason to have a nesting box is if you are trying to mate two birds of the same species.
By feeding the cockatiel, your parakeet may be showing affection. This is kind of rare for them to get along so well unless they were babies together. Perhaps you should get a male parakeet of the same age and see what develops. Of course, you can't keep the three birds in the same cage. But if you're interested in raising little keets, then think about a mate for her.
2007-02-18 05:41:17 · answer #2 · answered by Birdladi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It appears that your parakeet has bonded to your cockatiel and views it as a mate.Of course they are genetically too different to produce any offspring. What an interesting situation you have.Have a tweet year and take pictures if you can.
2007-02-19 15:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you saw a baby leying on the street you would care for it no matter what race... birds have strong maternal instincts that means they will take care of any younger birds.
its good that your parakeet is feeding the baby tiels its simply helping it wont hurt the cockatiel and it wont hurt the parakeet its just a strong bond be thankfull they are not fighting
2007-02-18 05:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by Here i am 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
pet birds are loving little creatures, sometimes they will feed each other or huddle up close together on a perch just to show that they like each other.
2007-02-18 08:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its just a thing birds do when they are friends are lovers my amazon is always trying to feed me and its like oh ok but donot eat after your bird though just hand them something to eat they forget what they where doing
2007-02-18 05:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by sarah_see_123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There could be two thing tha tit could be:
1. There could have chicks in there
or
2. They could have only bonded, like mates!
2007-02-20 09:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that would be them courting eachother
that's how parakeets flirt
watch out for mating or you might have babies
2007-02-18 05:24:54 · answer #8 · answered by tlex 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
how cute. it might feel attached to it and feel like it has to help it out. its like when you see a cat cleaning another cat. they just make a relationship or friendship. thats good that they get along tho.
2007-02-18 09:28:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋