Communication & Social Behavior in Cockatiels

Part II - Vocal Communication

Copyright 1989 by Elizabeth V. Vaughan
(All Rights Reserved)

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Since birds are living on a higher frequency than we are, that is, at a faster rate, who is to say that their communication is not more complicated than we imagine? Is it possible that our language could sound like mere grunts to members of another species? More and more I am discovering specific sounds for specific purposes within my community of cockatiels. Since our senses are limited to only certain frequencies, it is possible that even those sounds that are used for specific purposes could be broken down even further.

I must remind readers that my birds at not separated by sex, but are free to function as a community of family and friends during breeding as well as non-breeding time, in an environment which allows for full flight. This is probably why I am witnessing behaviors which might not be as apparent in other types of aviaries. Also, I am not a production breeder. I allow birds to breed because it is natural and because it is their desire to do so.

In Part I, I elaborated on the cock's song which is the flashiest and most easily understandable form of communication in cockatiels. The next most obvious vocal form is the warning cry which sounds like "Queel!" and is performed usually by cocks. However, as usual, I have found an exception in a pearl-pied hen who can queel like the best of them! Just as there is a main songster, so too there is a "community watchbird" who uses this "queel" as a warning of possible impending danger. This role has been passed down from father (chief cock, normal grey, six years old) to son (two years old). Only when the son is negligent in his duties, does the "immediate past watchbird" take over.

Cockatiels communicate vocally with each other quite a bit. Sometimes there is so much chattering going on that it seems like an important meeting is taking place. I have found this to be particularly true since I have allowed my birds complete freedom, as cages greatly restrict their natural tendencies.

Bonded pairs have their own special form of communication - usually cock first, then hen - like an inhale and an exhale, with the cock issuing the higher note, and then hen the lower note. It sounds like one bird making both sounds. At times, one pair will communicate with another in the same fashion, with one member of a pair issuing the higher note, while a member of the other pair takes the lower note. Members of a bonded pair will use the same communication when one member is in the nestbox, and the other is out for recreation or guard duty, just to check on each other's welfare. There's another sound made when the incubation shift is about to change, and one member is getting ready to relieve the other for sitting on eggs. This sounds halfway between a squeak and a croak (for want of a better way of describing it) and it is used at no other time except when eggs or babies are present.

Another form of vocal communication in bonded pairs is the nagging sound that they oftentimes make. In most pairs it is the hen that usually nags her mate. However, I do have one "cock-pecked" female who must tolerate nagging incessantly from her partner. This form of communication is used in domestic squabbles over such earth-shattering issues as who's going to sleep on which mineral block, or more importantly, who gets more time in the nestbox. Oftentimes, one partner is reluctant to leave the nest when his or her shift is over, and a fight will ensue, accompanied by nagging from both birds.

While working the nestbox, both cock and hen make precious sounds which vary from very gently peep-like notes, to the cock's performance of a softer version of his own unique song. These sounds will sometimes continue right up until chicks are weaned. Both cock and hen also have a special way of announcing to each other and to the community, which includes myself, that a new egg is present or that an egg has hatched. This is usually accompanied by a very rapid succession of silent movements (openings and closings) of the beak, and a look of absolute pleasure! A hen who is ready for breeding will often make a bit to-do over another hen's eggs or chicks. She will issue a sound similar to the mother's big announcement that is a combination of a "cluck" and a "brrr" in the throat.

I am sure that most readers who have more than one bird have experienced one bird trying to silence another. It could be a hen telling her all-too-vociferous mate to stop his incessant singing. Or maybe the Meistersinger has decided to perform his aria a little too early for the rest of the community, in which case everybody tells him to shut up! That sound is a very sharp note which is repeated until the desired results have been achieved. A variation of this sharp signal (but somewhat more subdued) is also used as a sign of agreement or a way of saying, "Hay - You're O.K..!" I call this the "Amen!" sound.

Baby chicks learn early on that using their voices usually gets them what they want. And what a unique sound they make! It consists of a hissing and growling when someone other than Ma or Dad approaches the nestbox, or a begging sound as they try to outdo each other in competition for food. I call this collective set of sounds, which is often accompanied by a stomp, "The Monster Mash" and their performance as "mashing". And, as everybody knows, they really do look like monsters!

As they begin to fledge, chicks make an unusual sound resembling an "oink". The best time to hear this sound is during flying lessons when parents herd the chicks around the aviary. Parents will continue to repeat one note while the babies "oink" in answer. This form of communication also takes place when parents are showing babies all the nooks and crannies of their environment, when teaching them other skills, or when babies are exploring on their own. I will address these topics again in more detail when I cover the entire topic of teaching the young in a future article.

In defending his territory during breeding time, a cock will use a scream or a "queel" to keep intruders away. If this doesn't work, a chase will ensue, followed by a fight if the intruder hasn't gotten the message by them! Rivals for the same mate go through the same sequence of events, and the sound that is made during a cock fight is a cross between a scream and a nag. Both cocks and hens will hiss and snap if they are disturbed while in the nestbox. This will be accompanied by a lunge if an intruder comes too close.

Members of the same clutch who remain together in the community often develop a very special bond, especially if they are of the opposite sex. At present, I have two brother/sister friendship bonds. It does not matter if one or both members of the pair are bonded for mating purposes to other birds. That strong bond of friendship remains, nevertheless, and will be addressed in more depth in a future article. The point to be made there is that these siblings have a special way of communicating vocally if one appears to be in danger or is being temporarily removed from the community for some reason. A cockatiel can be sure that his or her clutch mate will always be there to call him or her back to the group, or offer protection if necessary.

When a new bird is added to the community, it takes a while, depending n the individual bird's personality, before he or she gains acceptance. When this happens, the bird is assigned a "buddy" for protection purposes, and I refer to this as "the buddy system". The mode of communication is identical to that of clutchmate bonds. Usually the new bird's "buddy" is a bird who has not as yet established a bond with another bird.

Lastly, I would like to discuss how communication takes place between my birds and myself. Since they are in the majority, there is no need for them to imitate human speech, nor are they encouraged to do so. Besides, we understand one another very well! We greet each other in the morning and the community watchbird will say his version of "HI" in the middle of the night if I have to get up. The aviary has a screen door, and as there is a night light always on, birds are aware of anyone who might pass by. Other more obvious vocalizations occur when I come home from being away from the house, or in bringing them treats or the "softy of the day" during breeding times. The birds use vocal means to express happiness and approval in these instances. I have two birds that I've bred who are bonded to me, yet still function well socially in the community. They both use vocal means to get my attention or to make demands - i.e., more grooming time.

I can distinguish each bird's voice from every other's in the community. Each member knows his or her own name as well as every other bird's name. They love to hear their names listed in a song or a story and they respond with pleasure accordingly.

Just as children learn meanings by association, so do they, and like children, they enjoy being told the same things over and over again.

My mother, who had one of my baby cockatiels, had a special way of using the above method to teach him to talk. Just as a child learns to talk by associating words to their appropriate meanings, pet birds often say just the right thing at the right time, just as if they know what they are saying - and I truly believe that many times they do! Every time Tweety would see pigeons outside, he'd say "Call the birds......feed the birds!"......after which he would whistle. The pigeons would congregate outside the window and my parents would bring seed outside for them. This is only one of the many stories I could relate on talking birds I have known.

As I mentioned previously, I do not encourage my own birds to imitate me, because I find their own language extremely fascinating. Also I wish to create for them an environment which allows them to function in as natural a way as is possible in a state of captivity. We communicate in other special ways, and with each succeeding generation of birds, that communication gets better and better. A young hen that was just coming into breeding age, and who, unbeknownst to me, was mating with a young cock, had a special way of telling me that she wanted a nesting site. For two days, whenever I was present, she would fly onto my shoulder, and in a manner totally uncharacteristic of her, used certain vocalizations continually, as if trying to make an important point. Well, she did! I hadn't planned to set her up but did so, and a week later she had four eggs. This hen and her daughter have a very special relationship with me. We understand one another completely!

I had originally intended to address the different types of silent communication in this article. However, as communication of this sort really cannot be separated from other forms of accompanying behavior, I will cover this topic when I discuss the "Pecking Order" and various types of social behavior and relationships.