Cockatiels as Pets
Cockatiels Pets
Origins: The Australian continent.
Original Species Name: Nymphicus hollandicus.
Average Size: 12 to 14 inches long
Average Weight: From 88 to 178 grams.
Average Life: 16-25 years.
Best Nutrition: variety is the key, fresh veggies and fruits, seeds & pellets.
Vocals: They rather whistling than talking. Males are the best.
Popularity: One of the most popular pet birds in the US.
Sexual Maturity: 12 to 24 months.
Egg Incubation Time: 17 to 24 days
Weaning Age for Chicks: 8 weeks.
Eggs: Average laid 5 to 10
Average cost: $40 to $150
Vet Visits: At least once a year for a full check up
Points of Interest.
Males have great vocal abilities and females are fairly quiet.
Females are more aggressive and they are more likely to hiss and bite.
If you put a mirror in the cage, a female looses its interest faster than a male.
Male cockatiels are better at parenting. While the mothers are responsible for hatching the eggs and caring for the newborn chicks, the male cockatiel doesn’t fly off and abandon them, either. In fact, they are quite protective of their family, and in the wild, will face much larger birds and predators just to keep them safe. They are also nurturing and affectionate with their young. In cases when the mother cockatiel was killed, or injured, the father quite capably steps in and assumes all the parenting duties.
Cockatiels are extremely social birds. They have a need for social interaction. A single bird will get more attached to its keeper but if you are not at home a lot it is best to get two birds. It is a fact that two birds of the same sex get along just as well as a mixed pair. Even more so if the cockatiels were introduced while they are still young.
Cockatiels are among the most popular pet birds. Small parrots with a variety of color patterns and a crest, they are attractive as well as friendly and easy to tame. Because of their small size, cockatiel care and taming is easier than some other parrot species. They are capable of mimicking speech, although they can be difficult to understand. However, they are quite good at whistling and can often be taught to whistle tunes.
Choosing a Bird
It is best to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly
Prices will vary with color and you can expect to pay a bit more from a conscientious breeder, but a well handled young bird is worth any extra cost. Cockatiels are quite widely available at pet stores, but these birds may have an unknown history. As a result, they may be older, not used to being handled, and harder to tame.
Look for a bird that is bright, alert and active. A bird sitting quietly with puffed feathers might be ill and is best avoided. The feathers should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on the body. The feathers around the vent/cloaca should be clean, dry, and free of fecal matter. The scales on the feet should be smooth, the nails in good condition, the beak should be smooth and well-shaped, and the nostrils should be clear and clean.
Cages for Cockatiels
Cockatiels are active and playful and should have a large cage. Opinions on the minimum size varies, but a good rule of thumb is at least 20 inches by 20 inches wide, and 26 inches tall as a bare minimum. The spacing on the cage bars should be no more than 3/4 inches (any larger is a safety hazard).
Horizontal cage bars offer the best opportunity for climbing and exercise. There should be space to place at least a couple of perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them. Many cockatiel cages come with a removable bottom tray for easy cleaning.
Feeding Cockatiels
Variety is the key to a healthy diet. Seeds can be a nutritious part of the diet, but are high in fat so should only make up a part of the diet (some experts recommend no more than about 30% of the diet). Pelleted diets are often a good choice for birds as they are nutritionally balanced and birds can't pick out their favorite seeds and leave the rest. However, with both seeds and pellets a wide variety of other foods should complement the diet. A variety of fresh vegetables and fruit should be offered, although persistence might be needed before your bird will try new foods (particularly if they are accustomed to an all-seed diet). Proteins such as hard boiled egg, legumes, and cooked meats can be offered in moderation. Sprouted seeds are also an excellent way to add variety to your bird's diet. Avoid avocado. For more information on feeding, see "Parrot Nutrition 101". If your cockatiel is reluctant to try new foods, you may also want to see "Switching Your Bird to Pellets" and "Introducing New Foods to Picky Birds".
Cockatiel Information:
Life span: cockatiels regularly live 15-20 years with proper care (up to 30 reported).
Colors: wild type is grey body with a yellow face and crest and orange cheek patch. The colors on the face are brighter and more vivid in the male, and the female has bars on the underside of the tail feathers. Color variations include albino, lutino, pied, pearl, cinnamon, and silver. The differences between males and females vary in the different color variations and can sometimes be hard to distinguish, especially in young birds.
Reputation as a gentle and docile bird; often like to be petted and held.
Males are thought to be better at mimicking speech and whistles.
Pairs of birds make good company for each other, but usually will not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech or sounds. A single bird is fine, as long as you spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis.
Have a powder on their feathers (used in grooming) that may leave a powdery coating on cages and accessories.
Playful and active, and while they vocalize and whistle they are not as loud as some other parrots.
Choosing a Bird
It is best to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly
Prices will vary with color and you can expect to pay a bit more from a conscientious breeder, but a well handled young bird is worth any extra cost. Cockatiels are quite widely available at pet stores, but these birds may have an unknown history. As a result, they may be older, not used to being handled, and harder to tame.
Look for a bird that is bright, alert and active. A bird sitting quietly with puffed feathers might be ill and is best avoided. The feathers should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on the body. The feathers around the vent/cloaca should be clean, dry, and free of fecal matter. The scales on the feet should be smooth, the nails in good condition, the beak should be smooth and well-shaped, and the nostrils should be clear and clean.
Cages for Cockatiels
Cockatiels are active and playful and should have a large cage. Opinions on the minimum size varies, but a good rule of thumb is at least 20 inches by 20 inches wide, and 26 inches tall as a bare minimum. The spacing on the cage bars should be no more than 3/4 inches (any larger is a safety hazard).
Horizontal cage bars offer the best opportunity for climbing and exercise. There should be space to place at least a couple of perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them. Many cockatiel cages come with a removable bottom tray for easy cleaning.
Feeding Cockatiels
Variety is the key to a healthy diet. Seeds can be a nutritious part of the diet, but are high in fat so should only make up a part of the diet (some experts recommend no more than about 30% of the diet). Pelleted diets are often a good choice for birds as they are nutritionally balanced and birds can't pick out their favorite seeds and leave the rest. However, with both seeds and pellets a wide variety of other foods should complement the diet. A variety of fresh vegetables and fruit should be offered, although persistence might be needed before your bird will try new foods (particularly if they are accustomed to an all-seed diet). Proteins such as hard boiled egg, legumes, and cooked meats can be offered in moderation. Sprouted seeds are also an excellent way to add variety to your bird's diet. Avoid avocado. For more information on feeding, see "Parrot Nutrition 101". If your cockatiel is reluctant to try new foods, you may also want to see "Switching Your Bird to Pellets" and "Introducing New Foods to Picky Birds".
Cockatiel Information:
Life span: cockatiels regularly live 15-20 years with proper care (up to 30 reported).
Colors: wild type is grey body with a yellow face and crest and orange cheek patch. The colors on the face are brighter and more vivid in the male, and the female has bars on the underside of the tail feathers. Color variations include albino, lutino, pied, pearl, cinnamon, and silver. The differences between males and females vary in the different color variations and can sometimes be hard to distinguish, especially in young birds.
Reputation as a gentle and docile bird; often like to be petted and held.
Males are thought to be better at mimicking speech and whistles.
Pairs of birds make good company for each other, but usually will not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech or sounds. A single bird is fine, as long as you spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis.
Have a powder on their feathers (used in grooming) that may leave a powdery coating on cages and accessories.
Playful and active, and while they vocalize and whistle they are not as loud as some other parrots.
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