Are my Cockatiels Mating?
Hi. I have 2 Cockatiels. One is about 8 years old (Riley) & the other is give or take a few 3 (Freddy). Riley I KNOW is a male. When I picked up Freddy the lady at the store said "it" was a boy. Well I've other wondered about "him" because of his light color and hes very comparatively. Should he have been a Freeda? Ever since I got Freddy neither of the two own wanted anything to do with each other. I figure Riley could use the company & they could talk to each other. I've had them both together very soon for 3 years & they still fight with each other. Nothing serious, a moment ago peck/screech at each other if one crosses the "no crossy line". Anyhoo, just tonight I turn around and see Freddy next to his tail up in the air like a feminine cat in heat & Riley RIGHT beside him looking like he be massaging Freddy's neck with his beak. They hold NEVER been this close to each other before short having a beak/screeching fit. And they were chattering... They did this for about 2 minutes, but they could hold been at it longer before I noticed. This is the 1st time I've see them doing it. Then they just went back to what they be doing. So many questions stem from this action.
1. Is Freddy really a girl?
2. Can cockatiels be homosexual?
3. How often will they do this?
4. Can birds have eggs this late within the year?
4. Were they really mating?
5. How soon before eggs get laid?
6. Should I seize a nesting box just in case?
I hold attached (or tried) some pix of Freddy & Riley. Riley is the Grey, white & yellow one. Freddy is the gray one. I know girls are usually gray & quiet but I've be going with what the lady at the pet store said thinking she knew more than I since she be the "expert"... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Baby cockatiels would make great (late) Christmas gifts!
Freddy
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/I...
Freddy
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/I...
Riley
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/I...
Answers: They both look like males, but later eggs will sure prove me wrong on that point.
1. Is Freddy really a girl? - only time or a DNA test will guarantee it
2. Can cockatiels be homosexual? - I'm not sure if they worry around sexual identity, but birds of either gender can exhibit opposite femininity roles.
3. How often will they do this? - I'm pretty sure they will engage as habitually as they desire
4. Can birds have eggs this late in the year? - This time of year is their inborn Spring
4. Were they really mating? - Don't know, I didn't see them
5. How soon before eggs get laid? - 18-21 days after the hen begin sitting them regularly, which would be after the last egg drops, so 28-30 days after the first one.
6. Should I get a nesting box just contained by case? - you can, but just put torn up newspaper surrounded by it & let the hen shred to her liking
Good luck...
1. Is Freddy really a girl? Yes Freddy is without a doubt womanly. You are correct about Riley
2. Can cockatiels be gay? I enjoy seen both 2 males and 2 females getting together, don't know if that means they are guy or confussed :-)
3. How regularly will they do this? Usually until the female lays her eggs
4. Can birds have eggs this late surrounded by the year? Cockateils will take any chance they can to breed like budgies, so can breed year round.
4. Were they really mate? Proably by the sounds of it. Riley should be standing of Freddy's back with his tail pointing down and Freda (was Freddy) with her tail within the air and they both will wiggle around.
5. How soon before eggs grasp laid? Usually within a week
6. Should I get a nesting box just surrounded by case? I would, you sound like you own a pair of birds that want to be parents.
Looks like you might need to buy some more Christmas stockings for the bright arrivals :-)
