Cockatiels

Guide Note

Cockatiels are a small variety of the cockatoo family, found primarily in Australia. Cockatiels make excellent pets for the beginning bird owner. Cockatiels are effectionate, smart and easy to care for.

Fast Facts

1. Life span: 15 years
2. Length: 10-12 inches
3. Make excellent pets
4. Talking ability: Males good, females poor
5. Breeding: Excellent
6. Number of eggs: 4 to 7
7. Incubation: 19 days
8. Compatibility with other birds: Good
9. Sexing: Males have a bright orange round patch on their cheeks and their heads are yellow, female heads are greyish¹

1. Cockatiels love sunshine, allow your bird to sun itself for at least 20 minutes a day, this will activate vitamin D production.
2. Is ok to give your cockatiel small amounts of chicken, it's a good source of protein.
3. Cockatiels are best kept in groups.
4. Vary bird seed for a healthy diet.
5. Cockatiels love toys, especially the preening type toys, mix them up so they don't get bored.
6. Keep the cage clean.
7. Keep wings clipped.
8. Offer sand papered perches to help keep the nails trimmed, or clip regularly.
9. Keep quick stop ( a styptic powder clotting agent safe for birds) handy in case of a bleeding pin feathers, nails or wings.
10. House cockatiels away from drafts and windows.
11. Offer fresh food and water daily.
12. Cockatiels love to take baths, offer a bathing tub or bowl of water.
13. Cuttle bones help keep beaks from overgrowing.

• Insecticides sprays
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Oven cleaner
• Glue
• Nail Polish remover
• Paint
• Perfumes
• Teflon Note: If non stick cookware burns, the smoke and fumes can be fatal to birds