Cockatiels

Cockatiels ('tiels) are the smallest member of the cockatoo family with an average captive life span of 15-20 years. They are native to Australia, and a popular choice of pet in many countries. The standard mutation is the "normal grey", although there are a variety of mutations such as pearl and pied. They are social birds with a generally good temperament, although this is largely dependant upon the way they are raised. They are an ideal pet for a first time bird owner but their passivity may not be suitable for smaller children. They startle easily and energetic or rough children are likely to frighten them.


Housing

Recommended bar spacing for a cockatiel cage is roughly 1/2" to 3/4". They are relatively small birds and could injure themselves if the bar spacing in their cage is too wide. I personally have the Hagen Magestic Motel - dimensions: 20x48x20 with 1/4" bar spacing. It is on the smaller side of cages, and would be suitable for no more than two tiels. The larger the space for any captive bird, the better. I have 3 cockatiels although they are rarely caged. The Hagen cage is a play cage, specifically for the purpose of a "hang-out" area. We have a wooden play gym on top of the cage with toys and rope perches everywhere. Although the cage is on the smaller side, the doors are never closed and each bird has a seperate smaller sleeping cage for night time and when we're not at home. We chose this cage specifically for Hagen's horizontal bar designs. Most brands have a combination of vertical and horizontal bars and young cockatiels tend to be clumsy, occasionally struggling with the vertical bars. It is important for cockatiels to come out of their cage daily for exercise and social time.


Gender

The gender decision is usually a personal one. Males are more vocal, with a higher likelihood of talking. Females are reportedly more "cuddly," although I only have males so i can't speak from personal experience. "Beak banging" is a typically male behavior in which the cockatiel taps his beak on an object in quick succession. It is generally considered a behavior denoting possession. My cocktiels get excited when i tap back to them, so it's also possible that captive cockatiels use it as a method of "playing" or communicating. They are most likely to "beak bang" when courting one of my other tiels. Another common flirty, male behavior is "heart wings" in which they pull their closed wings slightly away from their bodies and puff out their chests. A view from behind gives the appearance of a heart shape, beginning at the shoulders and ending at the wing tips.

Another issue to keep in mind when choosing gender is egg laying. Females can lay eggs without a mate. Egg laying causes stress on the female's body and runs risk such as egg binding, in which the female cannot pass the egg. Egg binding can be fatal and vet assistance should be sought immediately if the female appears to be in distress (panting, fluffing, rocking, lack of perching). Calcium should be provided for an egg laying female and precautions should be taken to minimize egg laying.


Diet

Diet is a crucial factor in the health and lifespan of a cockatiel. They should be fed a varied diet of seed, pellets, & fresh fruits/veggies on a daily basis. It is a good idea to purchase a gram weight scale and weigh your cockatiel regularly. A bad diet and lack of exercise can cause obesity and other health problems. Loss of weight is also a good indicator of illness, so it's important to keep a regular weight history.

Do NOT feed a cockatiel avacado or chocolate, they are lethal in small doses. Other foods to avoid are caffeine, sugar, milk, and many others so do your research!

Note - certain foods, such as berries, can change the appearance of droppings.