Post by Casey on Oct 7, 2011 11:29:20 GMT -8
Cockatiels are from Australia. They are a member of the cockatoo family. The wild form of cockatiels is grey with red cheeks. Males have a bright yellow head and solid dark grey flights. Females lack the yellow head and have striped and spotted flights. They travel in flocks. Captivity has brought many new mutations. Most mutations can be visually sexed. Only mutations unable to be visually sexed are pieds and whiteface lutinos.
The diet should consist of seed as the main dish with up to 20% pellets and supplemented with vegetables, grains, and legumes. Cockatiels are not fruit eaters therefore will most likely reject any fruit offered.
They can live 15-25 years but older tiels into their thirties have been recorded. The wild lifespan is 6-8 years. Cockatiels measure 11-14 inches long, so keep that in mind with cages. No cage should be narrower than 18" in any dimension.
Cage requirements for cockatiels:
Single: No smaller than 18"x18"x24"
Pairs: As large as you can get, but no smaller than 30"x18"x24"
Bar spacing up to 5/8"
As pets, cockatiels are gentle, docile, and generally quiet, however males can be loud and noisy. Males also can become nippy and moody from hormones. Both genders are cuddly and affectionate. They are relatively easy to tame as well, even if aquired as a parent raised older bird. They are trusting and generally a perfectly balanced birds. Males sometimes learn to talk but it is not a guarantee. Females are quiet though the rare female can learn to whistle. Males can whistle tunes, mimic some noises, and maybe talk (not always clearly).
They should not be caged with other species more because they are so docile they can get bullied away from food and perches. Not only this, but other species are more aggressive and can seriously harm, if not kill, a cockatiel. It is best to keep cockatiels with cockatiels and nothing else.
The diet should consist of seed as the main dish with up to 20% pellets and supplemented with vegetables, grains, and legumes. Cockatiels are not fruit eaters therefore will most likely reject any fruit offered.
They can live 15-25 years but older tiels into their thirties have been recorded. The wild lifespan is 6-8 years. Cockatiels measure 11-14 inches long, so keep that in mind with cages. No cage should be narrower than 18" in any dimension.
Cage requirements for cockatiels:
Single: No smaller than 18"x18"x24"
Pairs: As large as you can get, but no smaller than 30"x18"x24"
Bar spacing up to 5/8"
As pets, cockatiels are gentle, docile, and generally quiet, however males can be loud and noisy. Males also can become nippy and moody from hormones. Both genders are cuddly and affectionate. They are relatively easy to tame as well, even if aquired as a parent raised older bird. They are trusting and generally a perfectly balanced birds. Males sometimes learn to talk but it is not a guarantee. Females are quiet though the rare female can learn to whistle. Males can whistle tunes, mimic some noises, and maybe talk (not always clearly).
They should not be caged with other species more because they are so docile they can get bullied away from food and perches. Not only this, but other species are more aggressive and can seriously harm, if not kill, a cockatiel. It is best to keep cockatiels with cockatiels and nothing else.
