Why Does My Cockatiel Hiss?

Listed below are common behavior problems reported in pet cockatiels. Simply click the question below for more information. If your questions cannot be found here, please visit or main cockatiel section or stop by our parrot forum and post your questions.

cockatiel Hissing

Cockatiels will sometimes vocally express their discontent and this is sometimes done through hissing. When a cockatiel hisses, this usually means the bird feels distressed, scared, or irritated. This hissing behavior is usually displayed with a cockatiel pulling back its crest, slightly opening its beak, and then producing a hissing sound. Both males and females will hiss if they don’t wish to be petted, or if they feel intimidated by a person or animal, or if they are just moody.

A female cockatiel may hiss to protect a nesting site as a warning to intruders. Many female cockatiels will avoid confrontation at all costs and will therefore hiss to intimidate. This type of behavior is used by a nesting female cockatiel to frighten predators and scavengers away before they invade a nesting site. If hissing is persists by an overprotective hen and a predator calls her bluff, the female may can either become aggressive or she may decide to fly away.

Many female cockatiels will adopt this behavior when they find a nook or corner they perceive as a nesting site in their owner’s home. This is especially apparent inside a cage and when a nesting box is placed inside.

When a cockatiel is hissing, this is a clear sign the bird should be left alone until it has had time to calm down. When the pet bird is behaving as it should, the owner can then attempt to reach for the bird and ask it to step up unto their hand. If the cockatiel complies, the owner should praise it and reward it with a treat. This positive reinforcement should be practiced several times each day. Eventually the bird will look forward to stepping up as it will receive a treat for doing so.

Though most often hissing is a sign of irritation, it can sometimes be a sign of excitement - especially in baby cockatiels. For example, baby cockatiels emit a sound similar to hissing. This sound can almost always be heard after handfed babies are fed and this usually means the baby is content and full.

Also, owners should note that mature males will sometime hiss during courtship before they make their courtship call. This noise usually follows with a bobbing of the head and singing. This type of hissing is non-aggressive and some males will incorporate this into their courtship display.

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