A dull coat or faded colors can be a sign of poor nutrition, although sometimes it just takes a couple molts for the full, bright adult plumage to develop. Do not provide a nest-box for juvenile birds, as this can stimulate over-early egg-laying or breeding, which harms the female.

Lutino breeds, or pale yellow and pale white birds that still have cheek circles, can be identified by the female’s yellow spots under the wings and yellow marks under the tail. You may need to use a bright light in order to see these. [3] X Research source

In some breeds, only the males develop a yellow face after molting, while the female keeps her juvenile grey or brownish face. [6] X Research source Cockatiels with the white face mutation but non-white bodies sometimes have males with no cheek spots at all, and females with faint cheek spots that match the body plumage. [7] X Research source

In some breeds, the female also has faint yellow spots on the underside of the wings. [8] X Research source In pearled cockatiels, which have white dots on a non-white body, the male loses these “pearls” after the first molt, while the female keeps them. [9] X Expert Source Hayley HeartfieldBird Specialist Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.

The older a cockatiel is, the more likely this method is to work, especially if the bird belonged to a breeder as an adult and may have laid an egg in the past. [10] X Research source If you want to be completely certain, ask for a DNA test.

Tapping his beak loudly against objects to get a female’s attention. Strutting around while whistling or beak tapping, involving hopping motions and/or quick head dips. Wing tips lifted away from body, forming a heart shape when viewed from behind

Sitting on a low perch, peeping quietly, with her tail up in the air. Attempting to feed the male cockatiel she has bonded with or is trying to bond with.

Male masturbation generally involves humping the object or standing over it and rubbing its vent on it. Female masturbation can be similar, but could also involve backing up against an object with the tail up and body bent forward.

Females under 18 months should not be given a nesting box, as egg-laying often causes serious health problems in young birds. Removing the egg will stimulate additional egg-laying. Keep in mind that the egg may be fertilized, although in that case pair-bonded activity between two birds should be obvious.