Read this somewhere on Facebook. Thought it was interesting
http://www.livescience.com/19586-woodpe ... sions.html

I wonder if this also applies to male cockatiels that bang their beaks on things. Because sometimes when they do it, it looks like it'd really hurt.

LOL that's cute

Cockatiels don't bang nearly as hard as woodpeckers do. The woodpeckers are actually drilling holes in the wood, and the tiels are just making noise. It probably doesn't bother the tiels any more than knocking on a door does to us. Heck, if I lightly bang my own head against a wall it'll make a noise without hurting.

Well i mean, it depends on the kind of wall too. A plaster wall doesn't take much force to make noise with your head, and wouldn't hurt. A brick wall however, isn't the best percussion instrument, and you'll hurt, even if you lightly tap with your head after a while (I'm sure your head would be a little sore).

But you do have a point. Cockatiels aren't banging their beaks as hard as woodpeckers. Although the cockatiel in that one video does look like he could potentially give himself a concussion. Chill buddy, you don't need to use that much force when singing "The Adams Family".

I've never seen Silver beak bang.

I call Elvis the little drummer tiel because he often does a drum roll with his beak against the cage bars or the side of a metal cup. He twitches his head back and forth with a small but very fast motion. Some of the other males do it too but not as often as Elvis does.

I'm wondering when they do this drumming with the beak. I have never ever witnessed it myself. Maybe I need a drummer in my flock to teach them?

My guys do it while they're singing songs, but it's when they're singing to themselves not when they're singing to a hen.

My males do it when they're being flirtatious. I find it quite funny! Watching woodpeckers in slow motion makes me cringe so bad

one of our favorite videos
(you'd have to watch until 0:36 to see why I posted it here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT42qImw7Ow