March 14, 2010
All About Cockatiels
As pets
Demeanor: Generally calmer and gentler than most psittacines
Enrichment: Provide clean, small branches weekly for chewing; provide scattered seeds on a freshly-cleaned cage floor twice weekly to simulate foraging in the wild; provide one or two toys made for medium-sized birds.
Life expectancy as pet: 15-20 years
Common problem as pet: Females may continually produce eggs, which can deplete the body's calcium to an unhealthy level. Should egg-laying occur continuously over six months, remove the nest box for a few months to induce her to stop.
Housing requirements: Largest cage possible to allow for flight and bathing. More about bird housing »
Diet as pet: Prepared seed mix for cockatiels daily; Offer three of these items in small amounts daily along with the prepared seed mix: fresh greens such as romaine lettuce or spinach, orange slice, apple wedge, grapes, berries. More on feeding birds »
Did you know? Cockatiels are great whistlers! Besides a cooing sound, they whistle and can be taught simple tunes such as "Happy Birthday."
In the wild
Native to: Australia
Habitat: Open country, especially near water
Diet in wild: Grass seeds. They can be seen on the ground foraging for herbaceous plants, grain, fruits and berries. Cockatiels especially like acacia seeds. They may raid crops such as sorghum.
Social structure: Can be seen in pairs, small flocks, or very large flocks; have been sighted in flocks with red-rumped parrots. They are not timid and can be approached fairly closely by a human when on the ground.
Nesting/mating: Usually takes place between August and December. Build nest in cavity of tree, with a wood/dust lining in the bottom. They frequently use a cavity or hollow in a eucalyptus standing near water. Four to seven eggs are laid, and incubation is 21-23 days. The male helps brood the eggs. Young leave the nest around four to five weeks after hatching. Unlike most psittacines, cockatiel males and females are easily identified due to their plumage differences. Males have bright yellow heads with red cheek patches; females have dull gray heads with red cheek patches.
Special note: If you're unable to keep your pet cockatiel, please contact a local bird rescue or animal shelter. Pet cockatiels have adjusted to life in a home and are not well equipped for survival outside, especially in cold or extreme climates.