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Cockatiels are one of the most popular pet birds for companionship, because they are so gentle and affectionate. These birds are very good as a family pet because they are generally very good with children and are so intelligent they keep people entertained with their cute antics. These loveable birds come to us from Australia. The are typically gray with bright yellow heads, but they do come in other colors as well.
The best way to tell the sex of your bird is to have a vet determine it, but usually the way to tell is by coloring. Male Cockatiel's have brighter colors where the females are mostly gray. Another way is vocalization. Males tend to talk and whistle more than a female.
Housing for your Cockatiel should be a roomy cage made out of non toxic metal with a couple perches for him to stand on. Line the bottom of the cage with either cage liners or sheets of newspaper. The cage will be his home, so make sure he has enough room for his toys, water and food bowls plus room to stretch out his wings. Place the cage in a populated area of the house where the bird can be a part of the activities. Make sure that the cage is kept away from the kitchen especially if non-stick cookware like "Teflon" is being used. As it heats it starts to release toxins into the air that can kill your Cockatiel.
Keeping the cage clean is very important. A dirty cage is a breeding ground for bacteria. Depending on the size of the cage and how many birds are in there will determine the frequency of cleaning. It's always best to change the bottom liner on the cage every day, and to clean the entire cage at least once a week. Changing the bird's food and water is also very important because some Cockatiels like to sit in their dish. When they do this they tend to get droppings in their food and water. A water bottle for birds is always a safer option because it prevents them from messing up their water supply.
Feeding your Cockatiel is a trial and error thing at times. Just like a young child, it's all a matter of finding what foods the bird likes. A straight seed diet isn't the best for them. They need a variety of fruits and vegetables to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. A straight seed diet doesn't provide everything. There are foods that are specially formulated for Cockatiel's. These are better than using just seed. You can also offer fresh fruits and vegetables but do not offer anything that contains chocolate, avocado, salt, or alcohol. For picky eaters, you may want to ask your vet about vitamin supplements.
Keeping your bird healthy and safe is very important that's why it's good to keep their environment free of toxic fumes, tobacco smoke, poisonous plants and other hazards. If you should decide that you want to let your bird fly around the house, make sure to close all windows and doors. Make sure curtains are closed because birds naturally fly for the outdoors and will not see the glass there. Also make sure that all ceiling fans are off, and that there are no hot items on the stove. Close the lid on toilets too. Birds can fall in and drown.
Cockatiels can live up to 25 years but on average they live to be between 12 and 15 years. After getting to know and love your Cockatiel you will want to make sure he is always healthy and happy. After all, he isn't just a bird, he's your friend
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