9 Induction of breeding behavior in mature cockatiels through environmental cues. Breeding behavior in Australian Cockatiels is tied to many other factors besides photoperiod and time of year. The birds rely upon rainfall, humidity, and temperature as their biggest environmental cues to initiate the mating process. Both birds were sexed and aged prior to construction of the artificial environment. A breeder box was built of plywood that measured 7 x 12 x 10 in.
Cockatiels require an enclosed breeding box and nesting material in order to make their nest.
A Delonghi heater was also used to raise the temperature of the room to 85 F. Four different tapes were played at varying times and for varying lengths inside and outside the room housing the birds. Two of the tapes were sounds of simulated rainfall, and the other two tapes were actual recordings of rain. All of the artificial changes to the prior environment of the birds induced immediate breeding behavior in the female. The environment appeared to make the male uncomfortable and hostile toward the female. No eggs laid ever hatched during the experiment, and the male grew ever more hostile to the female's repeated attempts at copulation.