Cockatiel

Cockatiels are birds that are known as the weiro bird or quarrion.

Basics: There are many birds that really shouldn't be owned as pets by anyone other than an experienced and willing bird enthusiast. This doesn't apply to the Cockatiel. The Cockatiel is one of the most popular pet birds available and that's because they're so easy to own. They're friendly, cuddly, easy to care for and they may even whistle and flirt with their favorite person. If you do decide to buy a Cockatiel and keep it as a pet, get ready for some talking. No, not with words (generally), but more with whistles. Yes, these are the whistling birds. You may get whistled at as you walk by their cage or while one is on your shoulder. If one of these birds was perched on your shoulder and you walked by a mirror, it might even whistle at itself. These birds are fun to own, have some spunk to them, and are quite curious. Best of all, they don't take up much room, so they'll be a fine addition to a smaller apartment.

Original and Native Habitat: Unlike many parrots that live in the dense rain forests of South America, the Cockatiel originates and lives in the wild of the dryer regions of Australia. This is where they eat while foraging on the ground for food and this is also where they breed. And breed they do. The Cockatiel is an easy and prolific breeder, so this may be one of the reasons they're so economically priced, which surely has led to their popularity.

How to Feed and Care For: When choosing a cage or enclosure for your Cockatiel, be sure to purchase one that's large enough to contain multiple areas on which the bird can perch. Cockatiels are active while in their enclosures, so to keep them happy and entertained, you'll want them to have enough room to flap their wings, forage for food, to perch and to play with their toys. When it comes to feeding the Cockatiel, a balanced and healthy diet is best. Include bird pellets, berries, vegetables, seed, and other food that's nourishing.

Personality, Behavior and Temperament: Cockatiels are generally playful and good-natured birds. Their personality may be one of the primary reasons they're so popular. It's best to learn and be aware of their moods though because that will make for a better relationship. When the Cockatiel's feathers are straight up, it can mean that the bird is scared or very inquisitive. If the feathers are flat on the head, it can mean that the bird is stressed or annoyed. If the Cockatiel is in a fine mood and ready to interact with other birds as well as humans, its feathers will be relaxed and somewhat fluffy. To keep your bird happy, be sure to regularly give it toys to play with in its cage. Popular toys are ones that the bird can chew up and wreck as well as more permanent toys that won't be as readily destroyed. As your supplier for the best bird toys to buy.

Do They Talk? What Kids of Sounds Do They Make? You most likely won't find a Cockatiel that speaks words and phrases, but you'll surely find one that chirps and whistles. And when it comes to making these noises, it's the males that do it more than the females. Cockatiels don't screech loudly like parrots do; they're much quieter and more enjoyable to have around the house. They're relatively quiet when compared to some of the other more popular pet birds, which is much more conducive to living is smaller quarters with nearby neighbors.

Health and Disease Awareness: When your Cockatiel sneezes, don't fret. It's just clearing its nares. The bird will do this multiple time per day, so it's completely normal. However, if this is a persistent thing and you see discharge, call the vet. The bird may have a cold. Believe it or not, laying too many eggs can be a health issue for the females. Too many eggs means a depletion of minerals and calcium from the female's body. This is never a good thing. Be sure to include additional calcium in the female's diet to keep these levels in check. Ask your pet dealer for a specific diet for this type of bird that includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Be sure not to feed it too many seeds though, because seeds include fat and too much fat can cause fatty liver disease. The diet must be balanced and specific to the Cockatiel.

Life Expectancy: Depending on species, 10-14 years and sometimes 20+.

A few terms and phrases to describe the typical Cockatiel bird: popular, slender, cuddly, bold, curious, feisty, chirps, whistles, outgoing, and comical.

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