Budgies and cockatiels are two of the most popular species of indoor birds.
Both hail from Australia and are available in a wide range of colors.
Budgies are smaller in size averaging 12 – 28cm and cockatiels with their beautiful crests are 30-35 cm- from their heads to the tip of their tails.
If you are thinking of having a cockatiel, you will need space for a larger cage and there are differences in their character.
A big consideration in your decision is do budgies talk more than cockatiels?
Or are cockatiels more louder
In this article you’ll find out everything you need to know
Sound good?
Let’s get started!
Are Budgies (Parakeet) Quieter Than Cockatiels?
Both birds are sociable birds that will fill your home with background noise during the day.
Budgies spend much of their day chirping away as though they are in conversation and discussing the news!
If you have several budgies, their chatter is almost non stop – especially if you have a male trying to impress a female!
Cockatiels are different in the fact that they tend to be vocal at certain times of the day – typically morning and evening.
Neither species is particularly loud -except in moments of distress.
Neither budgies or cockatiels make the loud noises you hear from parrots!
Both birds are sociable but in a different way.
Budgies have big characters and fill their day with endless chatter, whereas cockatiels tend to be vocal at times during the day.
Male cockatiels are noisier than females.
Both are laid back and are happy to sit still for hours doing very little except perhaps preening their feathers.
Both budgies and cockatiels are happy to be left whilst you work, but always check their food and water supplies before you leave and provide them with a couple of toys on the cage floor.
Raw vegetables such as a floret of broccoli or grated carrot are good for both birds and will help amuse them whilst you are away.
Budgies and cockatiels really enjoy human interaction too, so it is important to build in time for this each day.
Can You Teach a Cockatiel To Talk?
Both male budgies and cockatiels can be taught to say a few words or to whistle – but neither is guaranteed!
It is best to start when your bird is 3-4 months old and to be really patient.
You may well be successful, but you must remember that your bird will rarely speak to order!
By providing plenty of rhythm music you may well find that your budgie will start to sing along!
Cockatiels love impersonating the telephone!
What Are The Differences Between The Two?
Budgies are very active little birds and always seem to be ‘busy’ whereas cockatiels are placid birds who spend a great deal of time just watching the world go by.
Both birds love space and obviously for a cockatiel, that means a larger cage.
Having said that, if you buy an English Budgie, this is a larger species that is almost the same size as a cockatiel.
Both need daily time out of their cage so that they can enjoy flying around or being with you.
Cockatiels do have their moments when they can be a little crabby and may even peck you to tell you off!
If you suffer from allergies, it is worth knowing that cockatiels have a layer of down and this can cause an allergic reaction.
Budgies do not have any down.
It is well worth spending time to make the correct choice as budgies easily live more than ten years and cockatiels can live up to 25 years.
Which Is Better – Cockatiels Or Budgies?
Both budgies and cockatiels are social and companionable and both will be happy to jump onto your hand and spend time out of their cage.
Budgies and cockatiels are both intelligent birds and will delight you by learning a few tricks too – especially if millet spray is the prize!
Both birds are affectionate and soon recognize their owners.
It is best to start handling them from the first day so that they get used to you.
Budgies are happy to sit on your hand, but cockatiels absolutely love to sit on your hand and for you to stroke them just behind their crest.
Cockatiels are more placid and easy-going so will happily sit on your shoulder for hours.
Budgies are smaller and their character is perfect for children and of course they can be quite comical and children will love their endless chatter.
Budgies are equally sociable companions for the elderly.
Cockatiels are more cuddly birds and will definitely enjoy your affection.
They are more placid but because they can get stroppy, they are better-suited to adults.
So which is better from the two?
I mean they are both adorable and very good birds
So it’s entirely up to you and your preference when deciding!
Can Budgies Live With Cockatiels?
In the wild, budgies do live with cockatiels, and technically it is fine for them to share a cage – much of this is down to their personalities.
Because of the difference in their characters, in most duos, it is the budgie that usually takes the lead.
If the birds do not get on, they will fight and can injure each other badly.
Introducing the birds to each other must be done very carefully, but having said that, if the two birds like each other, they will be firm friends for years.
Many breeders find that keeping the birds in separate cages next to each can work better because they can enjoy each other’s company without any power struggles as budgies are territorial.
One major consideration if you are planning to keep both species in the same cage, is that cockatiels need a different diet as they need one higher in fat and the budgie pellets are not good for cockatiels.
The best way to solve this problem is to feed them both separately outside the cage.
Some breeders keep the two species in separate cages, but give them time out of the cage to play together.
It is best to separate the two species during the mating season too as this will avoid any conflict.
Budgies and cockatiels are both fun pets to have and will bring you many hours of happiness.
Budgies are always on the go and will fill your home with chatter whilst cockatiels are more laid back in character and will love your affection.
They are both perfect but combining them in one cage isn’t always double the pleasure and will need some very careful consideration.
