 Keeping
Cockatiels As Pets
Cockatiels: Colourful, active, inquisitive birds
that are easy to keep and look after. They originate
from Australia and can live up to 20 years - so
choosing one as a pet is a long-term commitment.
Cockatiels like the company of their own species so
are best kept in pairs or larger groups. If kept
indoors they will need regular daily exercise
outside their cage and are at their most active
during the daytime, sleeping once it gets dark.
Housing
Cockatiels can be housed indoors in a large wire
cage with a plastic base or outdoors in a
purpose-built aviary. The cage should have some
horizontal bars on it to allow climbing – this makes
many round cages unsuitable. Bars should be no wider
than 17mm apart to prevent escape. Kept outdoors,
your aviary should allow room for the birds to fly
around properly. Cockatiels kept indoors will need
to be let out of their cage daily to exercise – make
sure you keep all doors and windows closed when you
do this. Covering the cage with a cloth at night
will encourage your Cockatiel to settle down for
sleep.
You should provide a bath for your bird, either
fixed to the outside of the cage or a shallow bowl
placed inside the cage – although some birds may
prefer to be sprayed with tepid water instead.
Types of Cockatiel
Cockatiels come in a vast array of colours and
markings. Common types are pied, pearl, and white
faces. Colours are usually grey, cinnamon, lutino or
albino.
Feeding
Cockatiels in the wild eat a wide range of seeds,
grains, and vegetation. A quality cockatiel mix
makes a good basic diet although supplements may
also be required such as cuttlefish which acts as a
vitamin supplement, environmental enrichment, and
also helps grind the beak down. Small pieces of
fresh fruit and vegetables may also be given as
treats and fresh drinking water should always be
available. Certain foods can be harmful to your
Cockatiel - avoid giving your pet lettuce, avocado,
lemon, potato, or any sweets or drinks designed for
human consumption.
Looking after your Cockatiels
Exercise & Entertainment:
Cockatiels are intelligent and inquisitive birds
that enjoy playing and climbing, so toys are
essential to stimulate them mentally and physically.
Cockatiels can also be taught to mimic sounds and
talk. If they hear the same words repeatedly from
the same person they may pick them up and begin
mimicking the words or phrases. Cockatiels often
make loud repetitive noises – cock birds in
particular.
Handling:
With patience, Cockatiels can become quite tame
although it is essential they are trained from an
early age, and by one person only. The first step is
to get the bird used to being stroked inside its
cage – use a stick or perch, not your hands. Start
by gently stroking its chest a couple of times a
day, then encourage it to jump onto the stick. Next,
repeat the whole process through the door of the
cage rather than the bars. Finally, repeat again,
using your hands this time instead of the stick.
This is a gradual process that may take several
weeks but usually works in the end.
To pick up your Cockatiel, ensure your palm
covers its back and wings while your middle and
index finger surround the bird’s neck. Be gentle –
Cockatiels will bite if they feel stressed. If
catching an aviary bird use a padded rim net and
never try to catch it in mid flight - always wait
until it is perched safely.
Breeding:
Cockatiels can be mated from about a year old and
will produce a clutch of 5-6 eggs in about 19 days.
As with all pets, breeding Cockatiels requires much
commitment of time and effort. It is recommended
that you therefore seek expert advice and do
appropriate research before considering keeping a
breeding pair and only if you’re certain you can
find good homes for the babies.
Tips for a happy healthy Cockatiel
Community:
Cockatiels are not solitary birds by nature, so will
always prefer the company of their own kind. They
can be kept in pairs (hens with cocks) although if
just keeping a few birds together, either sex should
be fine. For larger aviaries it’s usually best to
keep more hens than cocks – otherwise the cock birds
may fight over the hens. You can also mix pairs of
Cockatiels with other small parakeets such as
budgerigars although if kept in a breeding aviary
you shouldn’t mix more than 2 species.
Health:
Cockatiels can catch Scaly Beak, a contagious
condition that requires immediate treatment by a
vet. Excessive moulting can be caused by temperature
fluctuations or stress. As with all birds, if you
are worried about any aspect of your Cockatiel’s
health, seek advice from an Avian veterinarian. For
a healthy life, your Cockatiel needs the following:
- A good balanced diet with no sudden changes
- Plenty of toys to keep them amused
- Water bottle and feed bowls cleaned daily
- Their nails clipped several times a year –
ask your vet for advice
- A daily bath – essential for their preening
activities
- Regular exercise outside their cage
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