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Cockatiels
Scientific Name:
Nymphicus hollandicus
Origin: Australia
Relative Size: Small 130-145 grams
Average Lifespan: 10-20 years
Pet
Aspect:
Next to the Budgie, Cockatiels are one of the most popular parrots
and widely kept throughout the world. Theses parrots are renowned
for their docile personalities and composed nature. They have so
many positive attributes that Cockatiels are quickly becoming the
choice of many bird enthusiasts and first time parrot owners. They
are affordable and attractive looking, plus many color mutations are
available thanks to breeders.
If a
cockatiel has been handfed and well socialized, they usually enjoy
time outside the cage with their owners. These birds are not too
selective and will sit with most family members. Shy Cockatiels can
easily be won over through food and affection. Your cockatiel will
love to spend time on your shoulder or on its play stand while you
do household chores.
Not
only are they known for their docile personalities, but Cockatiels
are also known for their stable temperaments. Many parrot owners
have to deal with extreme hormonal problems that will cause the
parrot’s behavior to fluctuate. Though Cockatiels may have hormonal
days, their behavior is mostly stable and predictable. This makes
them better candidates for inexperienced parrot owners and children,
as long as they are supervised by an adult.
Both
males and females make great pets. There is nothing more enjoyable
then coming home to a rosy cheeked friend pacing inside his cage
ready to greet you. Cockatiels are truly lovable creatures and will
go to any length to spend time with you or gain your attention.
Cockatiels are messy and at times loud, like any parrot, but they
definitely make up for it with their sweet personalities.
Biting: Like
most parrots, if a foundation of proper socialization and taming
techniques were not used, your cockatiel can become nippy. To help
lesson the chances of your bird biting, discourage any nibbling or
soft preening of the skin as a juvenile. Young Cockatiels explore
with their beaks and any situation that leads to biting should be
avoided. If your cockatiel decides to bite, move your hand back and
ignore any biting without a reaction. Scolding the bird will not
work because it only reinforces biting. Hitting or flicking the
beak is not acceptable either. Parrots that experience this abusive
behavior become scared and fearful of humans; as a result they will
bite more. Again, if you ignore biting and continue to resume your
activities as you intended, the cockatiel will forget about the
encounter and the biting behavior will not be reinforced.
Training:
Cockatiels can be taught to perform tricks. Though they cannot
manipulate objects with one hand, they can still wave, turn around,
nod their head, or flap their wings. More advanced tricks such as
placing pennies into a piggybank, or ringing a bell can also be
taught; however, more time needs to be invested to yield such
results.
If
you wish to train your cockatiel tricks, find a motivation that he
is willing to work for. Most Cockatiels eagerly work for treats or
affection. Always use positive reinforcement when training and keep
sessions short and productive. The tricks your cockatiel can learn
are only limited to your imagination and the dedication you put
forth.
Talking:
Cockatiels can to talk but not with the clarity of an African Grey,
Indian Ringneck, or Amazon. Males are better at talking and are
much easier to understand. A male cockatiel will gladly entertain
himself in front of a mirror for hours while whistling or talking.
Female Cockatiels may talk, but most resort to chirping or
whistling. A female cockatiel can talk if the proper time has been
invested into developing her speech and if she was handfed.
Diet:
Your cockatiel needs to be fed a diet of seeds and pellets. Be sure
to give fresh fruits and vegetables so the cockatiel can have
natural unprocessed foods.
 Cockatiels
can be picky when it comes to fresh foods that are moist, especially
leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. Most breeders will socialize
their parrots to eat vegetables and fruits as babies; however, some
will not. If your cockatiel does not eat these foods you can help
by placing a dish inside his cage filled with various fruits and
veggies daily. It can take months before the cockatiel tastes the
food. Be patient and do not starve the bird in hopes he will eat
what you have offered. The bird will eventually accept the new
foods over time.
Grooming:
Clipping the wings of your cockatiel is important. The wings should
be clipped twice yearly to ensure the cockatiel is limited to only a
downward glide. Caution should be used when taking your cockatiel
outside and you should practice using a leash if you do so. These
birds have strong wing muscles and can without difficulty take
flight in a gust of wind with clipped wings.
Not
only do the wings need to be maintained, but the nails need to be
trimmed too. If the nails are not trimmed regularly, the bird’s
mobility will be limited. Overgrown nails will hinder the stance of
the bird and cause problems. Do not use perches with sandpaper to
maintain the nails. They have very little effect keeping the nails
short.
If you do not know how to trim the nails and the wings properly, a
local qualified bird breeder or vet can do it. If careful
consideration is not used, a cockatiel can bleed to death during an
improper wing clip or nail trim. |
