Cockatiel

Nymphicus hollandicus

NATIVE TO:

Grasslands of Australia. Wild cockatiels are predominately grey and white with bright orange cheek patches, which are brighter on the male.

LIFE SPAN:

up to about 25 years

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE:

11-14 inches long

AGE OF SEXUAL MATURITY:

4-6 months

MALE OR FEMALE:

Cockatiels are sexually dimorphic, which means males and females are visually different. Female cockatiels have small white dots on the tops of the tips of their flight feathers and black barring and stripes on the undersides of their wings and tail. However, all cockatiels have the markings of a female until they are six months old, after that, the males lose these features. Male cockatiels also have brighter orange cheek patches and usually have a greater ability to talk.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Cockatiels are beautiful, small-bodied birds that have varied colorations from all grey to all brown. Some popular types are: grey, lutino, white-faced, cinnamon, pied and albino. A single bird can also be a combination of any of these or a color “mutation” of any one or more. Cockatiels have a proud posture, small dark eyes and a long tail. All cockatiels have a head crest, which the bird can raise or lower depending on mood and stimulation. Cockatiels are a “powder-down” bird. This means they have an extra powdery substance in their feathers. This powder can be very irritating to those owners and handlers with allergies and asthma. If you, or a family member, have these issues, a different parrot species may be more suited to you. Other “powder down” birds include cockatoos and African greys.

SIGNS OF A HEALTHY BIRD:

A healthy bird should be perky, active and alert with bright, clear eyes, cere (fleshy nose area) and nares (nostrils). You should observe your bird eating and drinking throughout the day, although they may prefer to eat when you are eating, as they are flock oriented animals. Your bird should appear well groomed with neat, bright feathers. The feathers should be mostly smoothed to the body at rest - not continually fluffed. The feet and legs should be smooth and free of lumps, scabs and rough scales. Birds vocalize regularly with chirps, clicks, whistles and learned words. They enjoy communicating and mimicking. Your bird should be interested in communicating, but may be shy or intimidated around new people or in new environments. A healthy bird is confident and inquisitive, although cautious and aware as well.

NORMAL BEHAVIOR AND INTERACTION:

Birds are flock-oriented animals, and they do well with other birds in the home to communicate with. However, you and your family become part of your bird’s flock as well. It is wonderful to have more than one bird (not necessarily in the same cage), but it is not absolutely necessary in order for a for a parrot species to thrive happily in the home. Parrots are extremely intelligent animals. Despite their tiny heads and brains, they have great ability to comprehend, “speak” in context, and interact sensibly with their human flocks. As a parrot keeper, it is important to work with your bright pet on a regular basis. Because of their intelligence, they are quite needy of this interaction. A neglected parrot often becomes a “problem bird” and may begin showing their frustration with behavior such as biting, screaming or feather picking (although feather picking may stem from a physical problem as well). These behaviors are not necessarily irreversible. Every bird is worth the effort of proper training!

**Do not purchase or adopt a parrot solely for their ability to “speak” and mimic. Every bird is different, and there is no guarantee that your new bird will possess these talents. However, EVERY bird has the full capacity to unconditionally love and to steal your heart with their own personal special powers, and they deserve this same love and care in return. Some parrots often get labeled as “one person birds”. Although this may sometimes seem to be the case, many members of the household - with work - can have a good relationship with the family bird. Birds do mate for life in the wild, so it is natural for them to do the same in the home, and choose one person to have that closest relationship with. Birds can also read people very well, so those who interact with them with care and confidence will often receive more “respect” in return! So, if everyone in the “flock” equally showers your feathery friend with attention, there is a greater chance that they will all benefit from a close relationship with him or her. Go slowly with any new pet, but especially with parrots. Being intelligent prey animals, they can be very suspicious and careful, but can also be won over with enough continued patience. Prove to them that they can trust you and you have a companion for life! Every parrot, even within the same species, has his or her own personality. Some parrots are very bold and interactive, and some are subdued and shy. The more you work with your pet, the more comfortable s/he will become and the more his or her own personality will emerge. Adopt your parrot ready to accept whatever he or she may become - just like adopting a child. Remember that acquiring a parrot is a long-term commitment. Depending upon the species, your parrot may live between 15 to 60 years! Pay close attention to your parrot’s body language. Ruffled feathers can mean an aggravated parrot. Also, a parrot has the ability to “pin” his eyes - make his pupils smaller on purpose - when angry or excited. An aggravated, angry or threatened parrot will attempt to look larger and more intimidating by puffing up his/her feathers, crouching lower than normal and rocking back and forth on the feet a bit. Respect this posture and give your parrot some space. Parrots have extremely strong, dexterous feet. Many parrots enjoy hanging and swinging upside-down in their cage. They also have the ability to manipulate very little things with their seemingly giant feet, such as tiny seeds or small toys. As you and your parrot get to know each other, you will begin to know what her or she likes and doesn’t like. He or she will adopt favorite foods, toys, activities, music and even television shows. Your parrot may learn to hear you coming home and greet you with happy chirps as you come in the door. A relationship with a parrot can be an extremely rewarding and wonderful experience, one some people never expect from a bird!

Cockatiels are extremely intelligent, sweet, family oriented birds. They will get along wonderfully in a home with a large family or a single owner and whether a single bird or a flock of two or more. Cockatiels can be good talkers, especially males, however their voices may be a bit gravelly - so sometimes their talents are overlooked. When not “talking”, they perform lovely songs not unlike an American robin’s morning tune, or they chirp happily to communicate with their families.

DIET:

Cockatiels DO NOT live by seed alone! Recent studies regarding companion bird diets have revealed that seed only diets can be extremely dangerous. A seed only diet can result in nutrient deficiency and diseases such as liver disease, kidney disease, obesity and cardiac disease, all of which can severely shorten the life expectancy of your pet. Seed is very limited in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Even the new “fortified” seed diets on the market are still lacking, as the bird will only eat the inside of most seeds, leaving the “hull” behind. Therefore, the bird never properly ingests the good nutrient coating on the outside of the seed. Cockatiels need a good quality pellet diet in order to thrive properly. As seed can be used as only part of the diet, it should be balanced out with other offerings. Pellet diets (available at Pet Supplies Plus) have been carefully formulated to meet the specific needs of the pet bird, therefore properly meeting the majority of the dietary needs of your bird. Your bird should also be offered fresh vegetables (especially leafy greens), fruit and grain as often as tolerated. Please see our sheet that outlines the fresh foods your pet will appreciate. Never feed your cockatiel chocolate, sugar, fried foods, avocado, or junk food. NOTE: Be sure to remove any fresh foods that have not been eaten within a 24 hour period.

SUPPLEMENTS:

The only supplement that should be necessary if you are feeding your cockatiel correctly is calcium. Calcium can usually be offered in the form of a cuttlebone or calcium treat that attaches to the inside of your bird’s cage. If you notice that your bird does not touch his cuttlebone or calcium treat, a powdered supplement such as packaged oyster shell can be added directly to your pet’s food. Follow the directions on the supplement package.

• For optimal physiologic use of the calcium you are giving your bird, the bird should be exposed to UVB light for at least 3-4 hours a day (or more or less depending on the species). Please see our UVB Lighting for Companion Birds and Reptiles handout for further information about UVB light.

WATER:

Fresh water must be available to your cockatiel at all times. Because your pet will often even bathe in his water, it must be checked and changed several times a day. It is recommended that the bowl be wiped clean with a paper towel at every change to prevent a slimy film from collecting on the inside of the bowl. This ‘slime’ will harbor bacteria, which can be dangerous for your bird. Thoroughly wash the bowl with a mild dishwashing detergent and water at least once a day.

All water given to birds for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water). We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water; never use untreated tap water. If tap water is used, you should treat it with a de-chlorinating treatment. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.

HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT:

Cockatiels need a clean, warm, mentally stimulating environment. A single bird’s cage can be about 18” x 18” x 24”. Two birds should have a cage no smaller than 28”x 24”x 36”. The basic rule of thumb is the bigger the better! The spacing between the bars of the cage should be no wider than 3/8 inch to a ½ inch. If the bars are too far apart, your crafty bird is very likely to try to squeeze through them and get stuck. The cage should be placed in a family centered room where the bird(s) will feel a part of the “flock”; however the back of the cage should be positioned against a wall to provide security. Your cockatiel will feel threatened and nervous if it is in direct traffic. Avoid drafty areas and any placement that will get too much direct sun for any portion of the day. If your bird spends time out of his cage, make sure that any ceiling fans are off while he is out. Do not place your bird’s cage in the kitchen, as cooking fumes and even a small amount of smoke can be fatal. Average room temperature will be fine for your bird, not to exceed 78 degrees. Be careful of drafts from air conditioning, especially when bathing and misting. Perches of varying materials and types should be included in the cage. We recommend having at least three different types. Having different types will exercise the feet and prevent sores and foot related health issues. See the recommended supplies section. At least three clean bowls should be ready for use: one for fresh water, one for seed/pellets and one for fresh foods. Your bird may appreciate a cage cover for nighttime. The cover can block out any extraneous light and create a more secure sleeping place. Be careful not to use any fabrics for your cover that your bird might catch his claws or beak in, or that he might pull strings from and eat. Some cockatiels suffer from “night frights”. This problem can occur when the cockatiel is fast asleep and a sudden noise or light startles him awake. The cockatiel will flap and thrash violently around his cage, possibly injuring himself. If your cockatiel seems to have suffered a night fright, do NOT cover his cage at night any more.

 

ENRICHMENT:

In the wild, birds spend most of their day from morning until night foraging for their food. In our homes in a cage, their food is right at their beaks, no need to go hunting! Because of this, it is very easy for our pet birds to become bored and lazy. Since these animals are so intelligent, it is a horrible sentence to be banished to a cage with nothing to do. “Enrichment” is important because it will keep your cockatiel’s mind busy! At least three different types of toys should be available to your bird in his cage at one time. Cockatiels enjoy shiny, wooden, rope, foraging, and plastic toys. It is very important to purchase toys made specifically for birds as they are much more likely to be safer in construction and material. Birds can be poisoned by dangerous metals, such as lead or zinc. They can also chew off small pieces of improperly manufactured “toys” and ingest them, which of course can lead to a variety of health problems. Be sure to include “foraging” toys. These types of toys mimic the work that a bird might do to find food in the wild. Hide treats in cardboard tubes and balled up paper or purchase plastic puzzle toys, which force your pet to work for his treats! Several types of “play places” are available for safe out-of-cage playtime. A portable one can allow your bird to spend time with you in different rooms (just avoid the kitchen!).

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

Clean, rust-free square or rectangular metal cage. Minimum 18”x 18”x 24” for one bird, with bar space no larger than 3/8 to ½ inch (0.9 to 1.3 cm) apart.	A selection of at least 3 different perches, such as wood dowel, natural branch type, a therapeutic perch or a cement perch.	A good supply of packaged pellet diet, to be mixed with seed. As time goes on, you can slowly convert your bird to a majority of pellet and fresh food.
At least 3 different toys. Purchasing more than 3 can allow you to interchange them in your cockatiel’s cage to prevent boredom.	Calcium supplement such as cuttlebone, calcium treat or oyster shell.	Treats such as millet spray, foraging box treats, and nutrient “berry balls”. Avoid sugary treats like honey sticks.
3 sturdy dishes. One for fresh water, one for pellet/seed mix, and one for fresh foods.	Misting bottle and bird-bath.	Cockatiels often enjoy a swing to perch on.
Play gym for out-of-cage use.	Nail clipper & styptic powder. NOTE! Never use styptic powder on your bird’s skin - ONLY nails!!	A bird safe cage cover. Be careful of using towels and blankets from home which can catch bird nails and beaks in their threads or create too warm an environment inside.
Fluorescent UVB Bulb and housing.

CAGE MAINTENANCE:

Your parrot’s cage should be checked daily for any dirt that is accessible to your bird. Feces and spoiling food should be wiped clean of perches, cups and cage bars consistently to prevent health problems. Cage paper (which should be under a floor grate to prevent access to droppings) can be changed every to every-other day. Check the metal parts & bars of your bird’s cage periodically for chipped paint and rust, which can cause serious health issues if your bird chews or swallows any flaked pieces.

The entire cage should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month with:

• A mild dishwashing liquid in warm water (make a weak dilution), THEN
• Vinegar & water (1:8) OR bleach and warm water (1:32)
• Cage “furniture” should also be scrubbed clean with the same dilution.
• RINSE OFF ALL SOAP AND BLEACH THOROUGHLY WITH PLAIN WATER BEFORE RE-INTRODUCING YOUR PET TO ITS ENCLOSURE!!
• NEVER MIX VINEGAR AND BLEACH - IT CREATES A TOXIC SOLUTION

GROOMING & HYGIENE:

All birds should be gently misted with a water bottle dedicated to this use only. The spray should be room temperature and misty, sprayed up and over the bird to replicate a fine rain. NEVER spray the bird directly in the face. In addition to misting, a room temperature birdbath should be offered to your bird at least twice weekly. Monitor your bird while he is bathing, and remove the bath when he is finished. During misting and bathing procedures, make sure there are no drafts that may chill your bird when he is wet, which can cause respiratory issues. If your bird seems to stop grooming himself and becomes dirty and unkempt, contact your avian veterinarian. He may be ill.

Be sure to take your bird to your avian veterinarian for regular nail trims.

IF PROBLEMS ARISE, CALL YOUR AVIAN VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY! It is also highly recommended to have your bird seen by an avian vet for a yearly exam to make sure your pet stays healthy. Birds hide illnesses well; yearly exams can catch small issues before they get worse.

• Fluffed feathers, missing patches of feathers, feathers being purposely plucked.
• Evidence that your bird has stopped grooming him/herself.
• Bird sitting still and low on perch with a puffed up appearance, drooping wings - may also stay at bottom of cage.
• Beak swelling or unusual marks on cere.
• Nasal discharge, eye discharge, wheezing or coughing.
• Any change in stools including color or consistency.
• Loss of appetite.
• Favoring of one foot, holding a wing differently, presence of any blood.