About Cockatiels

A cockatiel is a variety of parrot that belongs to the Cacatuidae family of birds. This species has a rest of feathers on the top of the head that the bird can erect at will. Cockatiels have a distinctive look, from their feather crests to the feathers over the sides of the beak. They are popular as pets for their small size and colorful plumage.

Identification

Cockatiels generally have a medium-gray plumage that is interrupted by a white patch on each wing. Females have yellow spots located under their wings. Their heads are generally yellow with a round, orange patch on each cheek. There are a few variations that have a white or light yellow body in place of the normal gray. These are considered mutations of the cockatiel's colors.

Features

Cockatiels have a lifespan of about 12 to 20 years in captivity. There have been cases of cockatiels reaching 30, but a cockatiel owner can generally expect 20 years or less. Cockatiels bond with their owners and enjoy interacting with them. They often call out to their owners if they are not in sight. The feather crest is a bright yellow and is often raised when the bird becomes agitated or excited.

Misconceptions

Though the cockatiel is a type of parrot, they are not very adept at learning speech. Cockatiels can learn to mimic everyday sounds and some human speech, but they are more likely to imitate whistles and shrill noises they hear rather than speech. They also live a much shorter time than what most people think of as a parrot's lifespan. Though there are types of parrots that live up to 100 years, but a cockatiel can't aspire to that lifespan even with the best diet and care.

Considerations

Cockatiels need cages that are big enough for the bird to hop around inside the cage and to spread its wings comfortably. Because a pet cockatiel will have its wings clipped to prevent flight, most of the movement will be horizontal rather than vertical. The cage should reflect this need and have plenty of space for horizontal movement. The cars of the cage should be spaced ¾ inches apart or closer to prevent the bird's head from becoming trapped.

Warning

A cockatiel will have a much shorter lifespan if it is not fed a variety of things that mimic its natural diet. A cockatiel that is fed only seeds or pellets will develop nutritional deficiencies and could become sick. They should be fed a commercial mix for small parrots along with regular supplements of greens, fruits, millet spray, nuts, vegetables and bee pollen granules. Cockatiels also enjoy insects like mealworms, which provide a valuable protein source.