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Cockatiel Birds
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Published: November 2, 2006
Their Vegas-showgirl head crests, affectionate natures and vocal proclivities make cockatiels one of the most popular of all avian pets.
Like a Vegas showgirl, though, cockatiels require lots of attention, companionship and TLC to thrive. If you can live with a bird many owners say will behave like a two-year-old for its entire life span – which could be more than 20 years – then you may be an ideal cockatiel parent.
Cockatiels are members of the cockatoo family, which makes them small parrots. Originating in Australia, cockatiels are beautifully plumed and uniquely marked. The orange splotches on their faces – called cheek patches – distinguish them from other cockatoos. Their tiara-like head crests spray straight up in the air when they are startled or frightened.
Breeding mutations through the years have produced a number of color patterns and combinations. One of the most popular is the pearl, in which the wing, nape and back feathers are dappled white or yellow (called "lacings"), making it look like pearls nestle among them. Other interesting colorings include cinnamon (cocoa body with yellow faces), emerald (grey and yellow feathers overlap to look olive-colored) and lutino (white body, orange cheeks and red eyes).
Interestingly, the cockatiel is the only cockatoo capable of breeding in its first year. But breeding can be tricky. For one thing, it is not always easy to distinguish a cockatiel's sex among some of the various color mutations. The first step, therefore, is to make sure you have a male and a female! (A few clues: males often are more vocal, and older females retain their underwing and markings after molting.) Consulting with an established breeder beforehand is essential, as both parents and chicks can require extraordinary care and attention before and after birth.
Cockatiels enjoy a meticulous diet. Their wild ancestors ate seeds, berries, grains and insects. It is important to duplicate this diet to a degree. Bird food pellets and seeds should be considered just the first course and not the main entrée. Fresh fruits and vegetables cut into small pieces should be a daily menu staple, along with fresh drinking water. Hard-cooked eggs, cooked rice or pasta, even moist whole-wheat bread can be given to hens to ensure they stay in good health and produce fertile eggs. Cuttlebone provides much-needed calcium. Cockatiels love sunflower seeds and millet, but the high-calorie count bumps them into the "once-in-a-while" treat category.
A clean and roomy cage also contributes to a cockatiel's health. Remove leftover food after an hour or two so it does not become a Petri dish for bacteria. Disinfect drinking and food dishes thoroughly with soap and hot water. Old newspapers make excellent cage floor coverings. Include a swing and enough "elbow room" within the cage (the Bird Clubs of America recommend an 18Wx18Dx24H inch cage) for birds to stretch their wings and get some exercise. An apple tree twig free of pesticides will give cockatiels a natural perch from which to call as they learn to mimic their owner's voices.
Cockatiels are similar to dogs in that they are social animals and want to be their owner's companion. Confining a cockatiel to a cage – apart from its owner 24 hours a day – is cruel. Cockatiels will respond to an owner's voice, so owners should repeat the bird's name to him often, in pleasant tones. As a reward, the bird will be a chatty, whistling companion, especially if it is a male.
Because they can easily be trained to sit on a human's finger, hand and shoulder, pet cockatiels can accompany their owner's on housekeeping rounds or during marathon TV watching sessions. In Australia, it is common to see young people walking around outside with a cockatiel perched on their shoulders. No doubt, these birds have had their wings clipped. Still, a sudden noise could spur them to fly off into unforeseen dangers.
Domesticated cockatiels, sheltered from birth, have few skills and "street smarts" to survive on their own for long. Cockatiel lovers, therefore, are recommended to conduct "piggy-back rides" indoors, with windows and doors either closed or secured with screens.
Although dog and cat lovers may scoff at the idea of cuddling up to a bird, the affectionate cockatiel can be the perfect companion animal for a homebody or someone who wants a smaller pet. And while they cannot play Frisbee with you, or keep the house safe from mice, cockatiels do have one huge advantage over their furry alternatives.
No dog or cat is ever going to greet you with an appreciative wolf-whistle at the end of a long, hard day.
Like a Vegas showgirl, though, cockatiels require lots of attention, companionship and TLC to thrive. If you can live with a bird many owners say will behave like a two-year-old for its entire life span – which could be more than 20 years – then you may be an ideal cockatiel parent.
Cockatiels are members of the cockatoo family, which makes them small parrots. Originating in Australia, cockatiels are beautifully plumed and uniquely marked. The orange splotches on their faces – called cheek patches – distinguish them from other cockatoos. Their tiara-like head crests spray straight up in the air when they are startled or frightened.
Breeding mutations through the years have produced a number of color patterns and combinations. One of the most popular is the pearl, in which the wing, nape and back feathers are dappled white or yellow (called "lacings"), making it look like pearls nestle among them. Other interesting colorings include cinnamon (cocoa body with yellow faces), emerald (grey and yellow feathers overlap to look olive-colored) and lutino (white body, orange cheeks and red eyes).
Interestingly, the cockatiel is the only cockatoo capable of breeding in its first year. But breeding can be tricky. For one thing, it is not always easy to distinguish a cockatiel's sex among some of the various color mutations. The first step, therefore, is to make sure you have a male and a female! (A few clues: males often are more vocal, and older females retain their underwing and markings after molting.) Consulting with an established breeder beforehand is essential, as both parents and chicks can require extraordinary care and attention before and after birth.
Cockatiels enjoy a meticulous diet. Their wild ancestors ate seeds, berries, grains and insects. It is important to duplicate this diet to a degree. Bird food pellets and seeds should be considered just the first course and not the main entrée. Fresh fruits and vegetables cut into small pieces should be a daily menu staple, along with fresh drinking water. Hard-cooked eggs, cooked rice or pasta, even moist whole-wheat bread can be given to hens to ensure they stay in good health and produce fertile eggs. Cuttlebone provides much-needed calcium. Cockatiels love sunflower seeds and millet, but the high-calorie count bumps them into the "once-in-a-while" treat category.
A clean and roomy cage also contributes to a cockatiel's health. Remove leftover food after an hour or two so it does not become a Petri dish for bacteria. Disinfect drinking and food dishes thoroughly with soap and hot water. Old newspapers make excellent cage floor coverings. Include a swing and enough "elbow room" within the cage (the Bird Clubs of America recommend an 18Wx18Dx24H inch cage) for birds to stretch their wings and get some exercise. An apple tree twig free of pesticides will give cockatiels a natural perch from which to call as they learn to mimic their owner's voices.
Cockatiels are similar to dogs in that they are social animals and want to be their owner's companion. Confining a cockatiel to a cage – apart from its owner 24 hours a day – is cruel. Cockatiels will respond to an owner's voice, so owners should repeat the bird's name to him often, in pleasant tones. As a reward, the bird will be a chatty, whistling companion, especially if it is a male.
Because they can easily be trained to sit on a human's finger, hand and shoulder, pet cockatiels can accompany their owner's on housekeeping rounds or during marathon TV watching sessions. In Australia, it is common to see young people walking around outside with a cockatiel perched on their shoulders. No doubt, these birds have had their wings clipped. Still, a sudden noise could spur them to fly off into unforeseen dangers.
Domesticated cockatiels, sheltered from birth, have few skills and "street smarts" to survive on their own for long. Cockatiel lovers, therefore, are recommended to conduct "piggy-back rides" indoors, with windows and doors either closed or secured with screens.
Although dog and cat lovers may scoff at the idea of cuddling up to a bird, the affectionate cockatiel can be the perfect companion animal for a homebody or someone who wants a smaller pet. And while they cannot play Frisbee with you, or keep the house safe from mice, cockatiels do have one huge advantage over their furry alternatives.
No dog or cat is ever going to greet you with an appreciative wolf-whistle at the end of a long, hard day.
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