Cockatiel peacekeeping tips please!

Hello all! My current situation is as follows:

I currently have two cockatiels:
An 8 montH old pearl female and a 3 month old male. I had originally bought the female (Lola) and bonded with her rather quickly. She has her mood swings and hisses at me sometimes, but at the end of the day, its all love. Then one day at work I felt guilty that I was leaving her all alone at home and thought that getting her some company would be a good idea. So after tons of research and reading, I brought my currently 3 month old (Pappan) into the flock. I quarantined him in a separate cage in a separate room for 45 days until they were ready to meet.

When it was time to meet, I took them both to a neutral room. I laid down a millet on a table and had them both at the table in hopes of them breaking bread together. After a little while of curious staring, they both cautiously went for the millet. Pappan was super chill and had no issues, but Lola would hiss every time Pappan got near her. This was concerning. I am now currently on my second week of them hanging around each other to get to know one another. I purchased a play place with ladders and swings in hopes that they could bond over that. They have gotten closer proximity wise, but Lola still hisses and doesnt want him anywhere near her just yet. This worries me because I remember reading that Cockatiels have a 50/50 chance of bonding. My end goal was for them to be together in one cage and seeing this is concerning. I am worried something might happen when I am away at work.

How should I proceed? Any and all advice will gladly be considered!

Hi and welcome!

It is never garaunteed that two birds are going to like each other,even of the same species. It may or may not happen,saddly. I just suggest you keep a VERY close eye on them when they are out together. I'd also keep them in separate cages for the time being but in sight of each other.. When they reach sexual maturity all heck could erupt. Especially with the male trying to get "randy" with the female.Someone could get hurt.Also be aware that female 'tiels are known for egg laying. Don't give the access to dark places like boxes and such.


Jim

Alas this is the reason buying a bird as a companion for another bird is not a good idea.

I have done it more than once and I am still trying to get my 2 green Cheek amazons to live together peacefully for 2 years.

Keep them in separate cages. As they get use to each other slowly get the cages closer and closer together.

Continue having them out at the same time but watch them closely.

It's a waiting game and when they are both mature there attitude may change.

I hope you have good luck.

This article might have some useful behavior tips
https://birdsupplies.com/blogs/news/how-to-calm-a-parrot-down

Thank you both for the responses! I’m planning on keeping them in separate cages in the same room close to eachother. All playtime outside of the cage with both is supervised. I know two weeks is early to tell but I’m going to be patient and hope for the best!

Time and patients, along with separation till they are ready is the trick. As was stated above, a new bird should be taken home for you, as your choice and full understanding that your exact issue can and will happen. Fortunately my three get along pretty well, but my older male has his own cage alone, while my younger bonded pair have theirs. My older boy Mike will screech at my female poppy for exploring his cage during playtime, but I don't get aggression hardly ever. My bonded pair, poppy and branch, will have a nightly "sparring session" right before bed, they discuss who gets the best spot on the perch more or less, then they are pretty snuggly with each other all night, and all day till bedtime sparring time. I wish you all the luck in the world getting them to bond, everyone has made the best suggestions possible already. Please remember this in the future, new bird if it's what YOU want, never as a hopeful companion to another bird, even though mine all mesh I have no plans of Mike moving in with branch and poppy, he lives just upstairs from them, and will soon get a cage upgrade.