Cockatiel

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

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A whistle, a crest, a lot of dust

Cockatiels are small cockatoo relatives from Australia, about 12 to 13 inches and 80 to 120 grams. The crest tells you the mood if you bother to learn it: up and forward when they are interested, slicked when they are uneasy. They whistle better than they talk. A few words happen. A tune they heard from a phone happens more often. Noise is low to moderate, which still means a morning song.

Lifespan is the number that should slow the purchase down: 15 to 25 years is normal, and 30 happens with excellent care. Powder down keeps the feathers clean and puts a film on nearby furniture. People with asthma should spend an hour in a room with an adult cockatiel before deciding.

Cage, night, diet

Use at least the 24 by 18 by 24 inch cage in the quick facts, and prefer more width. Perches of several thicknesses, a cuttlebone, and toys that are not a choking hazard. Out-of-cage time on a play stand, in a bird-proofed room, is daily work. Ceiling fans, open toilets, and hot pans are the household hazards.

Night frights look dramatic: the bird explodes off the perch in the dark and can split feathers or skin. A dim night light and a stable corner help. Check the chest and wings after a bad night.

Feed pellets as the base, with vegetables and a limited seed mix. Cockatiels get fat and develop fatty liver disease on sunflower seed. Males typically sing more and have a brighter yellow head in the common gray mutation; females often keep the barring on the tail and a quieter song. Lutino and pied birds are harder to sex by color.

When the fluff is not cozy

A cockatiel puffed into a ball, tail bobbing, or sitting on the floor is sick, not sleepy. Respiratory disease, heavy metal from a cheap bell, and egg binding in females are the emergencies people meet. Find an avian vet before you need one; the AAV directory is the practical list. The quiet-bird page and the checker help on the day something looks off.

This is a fair beginner parrot for a person who will be home and will wipe dust. It is a poor match for a spotless house or a traveler. Starter cost is often a few hundred dollars for bird and cage, then food and an annual exam.

Cockatiel dust, noise, and years

Do cockatiels make a mess?

Yes. They produce powder down, a fine dust that coats cages and can bother asthmatic people. An air filter and a weekly wipe are part of keeping one, not a surprise.

How long is the commitment?

Often 15 to 25 years, sometimes longer. A chick is a young adult's pet and a middle-aged adult's pet if nothing goes wrong.

Why does my cockatiel thrash at night?

Night frights are common. A small night light, a cage that is not in a draft, and a cover that still lets air move reduce the panic. A bird that keeps falling should be checked for injury.

Are they good for beginners?

They are one of the more reasonable first parrots if you can handle dust, whistling, and a bird that wants out of the cage every day.