• Life expectancy: 10-15 years

• Can learn to mimic a wide range of noises, but may learn a few words

• “Psittacine” who uses their hooked beak to climb

Cockatiels, named for their physical similarity to their larger cousins, the cockatoos, are ranked second only to the budgie in popularity. It’s no wonder they are so popular – they possess all the qualities desired in a pet bird. Besides being attractive and intelligent, cockatiels are hardy birds and easy to care for. Cockatiels even have the ability to speak, whistle and do a few tricks. Many colour mutations are available, including grey, white, pied, pearl, cinnamon and silver.

Handling

When approached with a gentle voice and a little patience, a cockatiel can be hand-tamed and learn the “step up” command. This skill makes out-of-cage time more enjoyable, and can be an excellent bonding opportunity. Ask a pet counsellor to show you how to get started!

Our Pet Counsellors are bird lovers and because they are, they hold and play with the cockatiels in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our cockatiel’s social skills through handling and interacting. This is why a Petland cockatiel is quick to bond with their new caregiver.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your cockatiel, Petland recommends the following necessary, and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s four basic needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your cockatiel can live a long and happy life.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Enclosure – When choosing a cage for your cockatiel, get the largest cage that you can. Even with out-of-cage time, your cockatiel will require room for all of their toys, perches, and dishes, and stretching of their wings. A cockatiel cage has bars that are horizontal so that the cockatiel can climb comfortably. Your pet counsellor can show you homes specifically designed for your bird.

Ensure the location of the cage is draft free, away from heat or air-conditioning vents, and not in direct sunlight. It should also be in a room where people frequently hang out so that the cockatiel feels part of the family. Consider using a cage stand to hold the cage and store supplies.

Cage Cover – A cage cover helps your cockatiel get the rest they need (approximately 12 hours). Remember that birds wake at sunrise and sleep at sunset. The cover can be a blanket, but make sure the cockatiel is not shredding it, as this can pose a choking risk.

Lighting – Your bird needs daily exposure to ultraviolet light. In our climate, regular outdoor access is not always possible, and sunlight through a window is ineffective because the glass filters out important UV rays. Using a UVA/UVB bulb and avian floor lamp is therefore essential.

UVA and UVB light help prevent calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies, which can lead to serious health problems. UV exposure also allows birds to see colours properly, as they can become effectively colour blind without it. In addition, UVA light may help reduce abnormal behaviours such as feather plucking, phobias, and aggression. For more information, ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Ultraviolet Lighting for Birds and Reptiles Tip Sheet.

Perches – Birds are not meant to stand on the same perch size all the time. Provide your cockatiel with a variety of perch diameters for proper foot exercise, ideally using rope or natural wood. Place these higher in the cage where they prefer to rest. Rough perches (like concrete or sandpaper) can help trim nails but should be placed lower so they’re used less often. Ensure perches allow easy access to food and water, without being positioned above dishes where droppings could contaminate them.

Playpen or Portable Perch – When your cockatiel is having their daily out-of-cage time, wood playpens and portable perches are an ideal safe place for them. It is also a great space for you to interact, train, and play with your cockatiel!

BEHAVIOURAL

Toys – Toys typically mimic the natural activities of the species in the wild, such as foraging, building nests, and attracting a mate. Providing a variety of toys will give them the extra mental stimulation and entertainment they need. Without, they can grow bored and take up bad behaviours such as plucking or screaming. Petland recommends that you purchase several toys and rotate them weekly, as they will be less interested in the toys if they are left in the cage all the time.

Cockatiels need destructible and indestructible toys. A pacifier toy is fashioned to encourage preening. Ladders, rope toys with bells, sturdy plastic, fibrous toys for shredding or acrylic interactive toys are great options.

Socialization – Cockatiels are social birds that thrive on companionship and interaction. Your cockatiel will see your family as their flock, so it is important to include them in daily life at home. If you are away much of the day or have limited time to spend with your bird, your cockatiel will likely be happier with a feathered friend.

NUTRITIONAL

Staple Diet – Cockatiel pellets, a balanced diet, should be available at all times. Seeds add variety to the diet but because cockatiels often pick out their favorite seeds, they should only be offered as a treat. Check food daily and replace if soiled. Refill the dish every day.

Fresh Foods – Birds should be offered a salad of fresh foods every day. Vegetables like carrots (and tops), broccoli, beets, green beans, snow peas, navy and lima beans, sweet potatoes, and eggplant make good choices. Other alternatives include pasta, rice, and whole wheat toast. Fruits should be considered a treat and offered minimally.

Every bird is different in their tastes. While your cockatiel may love certain fruits and vegetables, they may reject others. Keep trying and offer a variety. With exposure, they will be more willing to try in the future. Feed fresh foods in a separate dish, and remove it after one hour.

Treats – Seeds, honey sticks, egg biscuits, and spray millet are great options. They provide your cockatiel with the variety they crave and the behavioural requirements they need. Treats will keep them busy picking and gnawing, while giving them a tasty alternative to staple food and fresh foods.

Spray Millet – Millet is one of the few foods cockatiels would naturally find in the wild. When bringing your cockatiel home, offer spray millet daily, as it may be the only food they feel comfortable eating at first. Once they have settled into their new environment, reduce millet treats to once or twice a week.

Cuttlebone – Cuttlebone will supply your cockatiel with calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Hang it in their cage where droppings cannot soil it. Replace it every two months, as they are very porous and absorb odours and fumes from the environment, such as smoke or cooking smells. If your bird does not show interest in the cuttlebone, grind it up into powder and mix it with their salad or favourite treat.

Iodine Block – An iodine block provides iodine, copper, and many other minerals in small quantities. It is fun to chew, and tasty too. A pellet staple diet meets the required iodine levels in birds, making the iodine block unessential unless feeding a seed staple diet.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – If a cockatiel’s diet is made up primarily of pellets (90%) and they enjoy a variety of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and other nutritious foods, then a vitamin supplement is not necessary and could be harmful. If a cockatiel’s diet is not ideal (i.e. strictly on seed), then we recommend the addition of a high-quality powdered vitamin. This is best administered on top of their daily salad.

MAINTENANCE

Food Dishes – Food and water should always be available for your cockatiel. You will need four dishes: one for the staple diet, one for fresh foods, one for water, and one for seed treats. Alternatively, you could offer a water bottle to keep the water clean. Cockatiels quickly understand how to use it and many enjoy playing with the spout.

Substrate – Cage paper is easy to remove and will not become a soppy mess like paper towels or newspaper when water is splashed on it. Paper-based bedding may be used if there is a grate overtop to prevent the bird from foraging amongst their feces.

Bird Bath/Showering – Offer your cockatiel a daily misting shower or a shallow bowl of warm water for bathing. Use a clean spray bottle with warm water and mist gently from above if they dislike direct spraying. If they are hesitant to bathe, place a damp lettuce leaf in the bowl to encourage curiosity.

Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.

Nail Clippers, File, and Coagulant – Your cockatiel’s nails will grow continuously. Nail clippers made especially for birds must be used. Alternatively, use a file to blunt the tip of the nail. Take care not to trim too short or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.

Wing Trimmers – Flight feathers should be trimmed regularly to prevent accidents, injury, or worse. Use trimmers found in the dog department, as they have a rounded tip for added safety. If a blood feather is clipped, use blood coagulant to stop the bleeding. If you prefer, ask your pet counsellor to make an appointment to have this done for you.

Weight Scale – Birds will hide when they are unwell to give their flock the illusion that they are okay. We recommend weighing your pet bird daily at the same time, especially during times of stress (i.e. adoption). Weight changes of 10% can be a cause for concern. Consult your veterinarian if that happens. A food scale makes a good choice for this purpose.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Hygiene procedures, such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet or its habitat, are necessary. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.

Attention: Certain cookware, aerosols, incense, aromatic candles, and household cleaners may be harmful or worse to your bird’s health. Ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Safety Tips & Household Hazards Tip Sheet.

CHECKLIST

• Enclosure

• (Optional) Cage stand

• Cage cover

• UV light bulb and lamp

• A variety of perches

• Playpen or portable perch

• A variety of toys

• Staple diet (seeds or pellets)

• Treats

• Spray millet

• Cuttlebone

• (Optional) Iodine block

• (Optional) Vitamin and mineral supplement

• Food dishes

• Substrate

• Bird bath or spray bottle

• Cage cleaner

• Nail clippers and coagulant

• Wing trimmers

• Weight scale

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your pet’s needs.

Click here to find all your cockatiel's needs.