Cockatiels can make fantastic pets because of their bright colors, mohawk-style hair, and gregarious dispositions, but do you know enough about this breed to bring one home and take proper care of it?
Because cockatiels require a lot of care and attention despite their small size, it's crucial to do your homework before bringing one home. This is all the information you need to provide the best possible life for your cockatiel.
From Where Do Cockatiels Originate?
Australia's semi-arid regions are home to the cockatiel parrot species. The largest bird conservation group in Australia, Birdlife, claims that they are attracted to a variety of habitats, including dense rainforests and open areas where they can feed on the ground. Given how long they have been domesticated, it should come as no surprise that cockatiels are so popular.
The Veterinary Centre for Birds & Exotics' Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), states that "the trend in the parrot industry has gone from larger birds to smaller birds." Cockatiels are frequently easier to board than other birds due to their modest size and calm temperament. For pet parents who enjoy traveling, this may make them more enticing.
Temperament and Features of Cockatiels
The appeal of cockatiels as companions may also be attributed to their temperament.
According to Dr. Hess, "I recommend cockatiels as first birds for many families because they're great starter birds." "They can speak a few words if you work with them, and they're big enough to have interacting personalities, but they also love spending time with their family and are quite social. Furthermore, they aren't so large as to frighten younger kids.
According to Dr Kimberlee A. Buck, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), "Cockatiels can also be described as playful and social." "These birds enjoy interacting with people, but due to their small size, they should only be handled gently."
When near cockatiels, children should be watched carefully and taught how to treat them delicately.
Cockatiels have a long life expectancy—they can live into their 20s, much like most other birds. It's crucial to remember that your new feathered companion will be in your house for a considerable amount of time.
Unless you want to keep them in different cages, you might want to reconsider bringing home a cockatiel if you already own another bird.
Dr. Buck asserts that it is impossible to make a firm generalization about how well two birds will get along unless you have brought them together from an early age. "They can be socialized with other birds, but living in the same cage is not something I would advise."
Taking Care of Cockatrices
Think about some of the things you'll need to take care of your new pet before taking a cockatiel home. This comprises:
Nutrition
It used to be thought that birds could only survive on seeds, but bird experts now advise cockatiels to eat primarily pellets that are tailored to their breed.
Pellets should make up about 70% of your cockatiel's diet, advises Hess. Fresh fruits and vegetables can make up modest portions of your cockatiel's diet, aside from pellets, which account for the remaining 30%. Since seeds are too heavy in fat to be regarded as a primary source of nutrition, they may also regularly consume millet and fortified seeds as treats. No more than ten percent of your cockatiel's diet should consist of treats.
The cockatiels peel the seeds before consuming them. For this reason, pet owners don't need to provide them with a grit supplement to aid in the digestion of whole seeds.
Bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are wonderful to feed your bird in little amounts every day because cockatiels have high vitamin-A requirements, according to Dr. Hess.
Avocados, onions, chocolate, salt, and caffeine are poisonous to birds, thus pet owners should avoid giving these foods to their cockatiels. Before giving your bird anything new, always consult your veterinarian.
Pet parents should take out any fruits or vegetables that were not eaten at the end of each day. Infection in cockatiels can result from eating spoilt food.
Grooming
Your cockatiel's nails need to be trimmed by your veterinarian. There are different time frames within which your cockatiel's veterinarian must see it for nail trims. This depends on how quickly their nails grow and other aspects of their lifestyle, such as the cradles they utilize. Your cockatiel will usually require nail trims every several months.
It's probably time for a vet appointment and nail trim if your cockatiel's nails feel rough when they stand on your arm!
Wing trimming is an optional procedure that your cockatiel's veterinarian should handle. This might be useful this might be useful for birds that unintentionally fly out the door, into mirrors, or windows. The feathers on your cockatiel will regrow in three to six months if you decide to clip them.
Health Issues
Parents of cockatiels should be alert for problems with their birds' reproduction. Dr. Hess claims that cockatiels are the most prolific egg layers she has ever seen, laying an egg every 48 hours.
This excessive egg-laying in domestic birds can cause problems such as egg binding, which occurs when the eggs become lodged in the reproductive tract, as well as other reproductive problems. These birds may also experience dietary deficits, renal dysfunction, and bacterial infections, among other health problems.
Make sure to take your cockatiel for an annual checkup with your veterinarian. Dr. Hess says, "As they age, they have an increased risk of developing problems like atherosclerosis, gout (or kidney failure), and other diseases." "Remaining ahead of medical issues is crucial."
Residence
Encouraging your cockatiel to fly around is essential for maintaining their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. At least once a day, they ought to be permitted to spend two hours outside of their natural habitat.
According to Dr. Buck, your fluffy pet should have a broad cage with a variety of perches of various thicknesses so they aren't constantly applying pressure to the same areas of their feet.
For a single bird, the optimal cockatiel habitat measures at least 24" L × 24" W x 30" H. To prevent birds from escaping or getting their heads or legs stuck, the spacing between the bars of the cage should be ½-inch or less. Your cockatiel should be able to easily stretch out and flap its wings in its environment, so make sure it's as large as possible.
Furthermore, you don't have to put a blanket or towel over your bird's cage at night. The majority of cockatiels can distinguish between day and night.
Cockatiels would rather stay occupied in the wild. To keep these endearing birds happy and occupied, toys are necessary. Toys that kids can lift or look under to discover food are an excellent choice.
To help them produce vitamin D in their skin, they will also require several hours a day of exposure to a UV lamp, which you will need to change every six months. Their ability to absorb calcium from their diet depends on this.
Use a full-spectrum UV light intended for birds to illuminate your cockatiel's environment for ten to twelve hours every day to augment natural UV exposure. UV lights and your bird's perch should be spaced apart by 12 to 18 inches. Since these lights lose power over time, replace them every six months.
Putting a dish in your cockatiel's habitat can help enrich them as they can like bathing. They might dive into these dishes, or you might use a warm water-filled spray bottle to sprinkle them every day. Steer clear of bird shampoo since it might remove the feathers' natural oils.
Since cockatiels prefer interacting with people, leaving the TV or radio on while you're away could please them.
Keeping Your Home Pet-Proof
Your cockatiel needs fresh air and ventilation, thus their cage should never be in your kitchen. For the safety of your cookware, you should also avoid using non-stick cookware.
Birds are susceptible to Teflon pan fumes. Dr. Hess cautions that if you place them in the kitchen and burn a nonstick skillet, your bird may die from the fumes.
How to Purchase a Cockatiel
When the time comes to adopt or purchase a feathered companion, you'll need to find out how much cockatiels cost and where to get them. Although it can be simple to locate a cockatiel at your neighborhood pet store, Drs. Hess and Buck advise first researching small breeders or rescue groups.
"The best place to start is to rescue as many of these birds are," advises Dr. Hess. "You can try a breeder if you specifically want a young bird, as birds are generally healthier raised in a person's home as opposed to being exposed to numerous birds in a store that may not be in good health."
One of your initial visits should be to an avian (bird) veterinarian for a check-up, regardless of where you purchased your bird. Dr. Hess says, "Cockatiels can carry diseases that are transmissible to people." There won't always be any symptoms of disease in your bird. To check for underlying sickness, your bird will require a full physical examination, a feces sample analysis, and several blood tests.
Pet cockatiels are incredibly common. They can offer many years of love and company to a committed, kind pet parent. They are lovely, amiable birds that are not too big to take up too much room in your house and are simple to educate.