The bite force of an adult cockatiel is about 70 PSI, which is less than that of a large parrot. Getting bitten by a cockatiel will hurt and could draw blood, but it won’t fracture a bone or sever a finger.
Cockatiels explore the world with their mouths, gently nipping and nibbling their owners’ hair and fingers. This is usually just a request for attention or an expression of affection.
Cockatiels bite hardest when stressed, jealous, angry, or scared but seldom cause injury.
Bite Force of A Cockatiel
Bite force in animals is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
The higher the PSI, the stronger the bite force and the likelier the bite is to cause trauma and injury. A bird’s bite force is relative to the size of its beak.
As cockatiels have small beaks, their bite force is less than that of other members of the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae). The maximum bite force of a cockatiel is 70–100 PSI.
Cockatiel Bites Aren’t Dangerous
Of all the concerns associated with a cockatiel bite, the risk of infection should be taken most seriously. If bitten by a cockatiel, wash the site with antibacterial soap and check for signs of infection:
- Pain that lasts longer than 1-2 hours.
- Prolonged redness, heat, and swelling around the bite.
- Fever (a body temperature of 100°F or higher.)
- Leaking pus from the bite area.
Birds, including cocktails, can transmit zoonotic diseases to humans through saliva, most notably psittacosis (parrot fever) through the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci.
Cockatiel Bites Hurt A Little
With a force of about 70 PSI, a cockatoo’s bite is equivalent to a human chewing food. While it won’t be as painful as a crushing bite from a macaw, it may still hurt and bleed.
Most cockatoos won’t bite their owners with full force unless provoked or fearing for their safety.
Cockatiel Bites Can Draw Blood
If a cockatiel is agitated enough to bite at maximum force, it may break the skin. This is likelier if the cockatiel bites a delicate body part like a lip or ear while perched on a shoulder.
Washing the bitten area and applying a band-aid or treating it with a styptic pencil is usually sufficient treatment. A cockatiel’s bite will rarely need treatment at the ER unless infected.
Cockatiel’s Bites Can’t Break Bones
A cockatiel’s bite isn’t hard enough to break the bones or sever the fingers of a healthy adult. Young children or elderly people with weaker bones may face more risk, but it’s unlikely.
According to Biomedical Engineering, a force of around 1,485 newtons is required to fracture an index finger. This would require a bite force of about 350 PSI, exceeding a cockatiel’s potential.
Why Cockatiels Bite Humans
Cockatiels seldom bite without reason or provocation. While a young cockatiel will peck and nibble, only an angry or defensive cockatiel will bite to its maximum potential.
A cockatiel will usually issue a warning if it plans to bite and latch down. The following verbalizations and displays of body language are clear warnings:
- Avoiding physical contact.
- High-pitched vocalizations.
- Pinning the eyes (flashing).
- Blushing cheeks.
- Fluffing the feathers to look bigger.
- Hissing sounds.
If you get bitten by a cockatiel, it’ll likely be for one of these reasons:
Bluffing
You may awaken to find that a sweet-natured cockatiel is hissing, lunging, and biting. It’ll uncharacteristically do whatever it takes to avoid interaction.
This is referred to as the bluffing stage, which some (not all) juvenile parrots go through when 4-12 months old. This behavior will eventually pass.
The cockatiel is going through puberty and reaching sexual maturity, so its hormones are elevated.
Stress or Anxiety
Cockatiels are prey animals that react defensively when threatened.
Form a lasting bond before attempting handling. Avoid stress triggers in the cockatiel’s territory, like loud noises and predatory pets, like cats and dogs.
Ensure the cockatiel has space to fly and climb. If a cockatiel feels cooped up, it’ll grow increasingly frustrated and more likely to become nippy.
Unfamiliarity
Some parrots become “one-person birds,” bonding with one human over all others.
Cockatiels are prone to this behavior, which isn’t ideal for a family pet. Unfortunately, a cockatiel may bite if the ‘wrong’ person approaches it or attempts to initiate handling.
Ensure everybody in your family, especially children, has bonded with the cockatiel before initiating handling. Cockatiels are more relaxed around people they recognize.
Overstimulation
Excessive petting can turn from pleasurable to irritating.
Cockatiels can also grow overexcited and overstimulated when playing out of the cage. While a pet bird needs to exercise, it also needs regular rest breaks and alone time.
Sleep Disturbance
Once the sun sets, ensure the cage is covered and the environment is peaceful. Disturbing a night of sleep can lead to tiredness and irritability, which can lead to biting.
Cockatiels may experience night frights, which are displays of fear and agitation in the middle of the night. Cockatiels are prone to these sleep disturbances.
If a cockatiel is dealing with night fright, it’ll react adversely to a perceived threat it can’t see
Entering Territory
Cockatiels, especially hormonal females, can become possessive and territorial.
If a bird feels you’re in its space, it may react defensively even if you have good intentions, like cleaning its cage or offering it a flavorful treat.
Be mindful of the cockatiel’s relationship with food and toys. While it’s likelier that a cockatiel will guard its resources, it may bite a person who temporarily removes a treasured possession.
Overgrown Beak
Zoo and Wild Animal Dentistry warn that overgrowth is common because the beak never stops growing. Most captive birds wear down their beaks by chewing on food, cage bars, perches, and toys.
If a cockatiel’s beak is too small or too long, it’ll chew and bite other things.
A vet can file down the beak to a comfortable length.
Learned Behavior
If a cockatiel pecked and nibbled while bluffing and you laughed at this behavior, offering treats because you found it endearing, the cockatiel will think biting is desirable.
Training A Cockatiel Not To Bite
Ignoring this action is the only effective way to train a cockatiel out of biting.
While a cockatiel’s bite can be painful, it seldom causes lasting damage. Never scold or punish a cockatoo for biting because this will confuse the bird and harm your bond.
Return the bird to its cage for a time-out and walk away for a short while. A cockatiel is clever enough to understand that biting ends its fun and will likely cease this unwanted behavior.
