cockatiel basics
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Description
Cockatiels are parrots that come from Australia. They come in a wide variety of colors including Grey, Lutino (yellow), Cinnamon, Pearl, Albino (white), Whiteface, and Fallow. There are new color
mutations surfacing every day, creating more variety for pet owners interested
in keeping them. Cockatiels make great pets, as they aren't to hard to look after, and bond with their owner for life.
Diet
Most people use plain old Grain mixes for cockatiels, but in my opinion pellets are a much wiser idea. Pellets contain all the vitamins and minerals a cockatiel needs, however you willl still need to buy a cuttlebone, as this supplies calcium. You can also feed them plain canary seeds, millet, sunflower seed kernels, hemp, safflower, apples, carrots and lots more (see safe table foods). Make sure your bird has fresh food and water every day, and don't put food or water dishes under perches, this should stop most contamination.
Excercise
Cockatiels can be quite active little birds, and should be allowed time outside their cage each day to play, explore. when you buy a cage, make sure your cockatiel has enough room to run around and stretch their wings. your cage should be at least a metre high and half a metre wide. If you are worried about the poo, you can buy flightsuits (bird daipers) at avianfashions and feathered fashions.
sleep
When it comes to sleep, 10-12 hours is what's best. Sleep is very important to cockatiels, and too little (due to too much light or noise keeping them up) can lead to cranky birds and in females can contribute to egg laying. When you put your cockatiel to bed, cover the cage with a light sheet, but make sure it is dark in color. This will help prevent night frights. Try to stick to a time that you put your cockatiel to bed every night, so it doesn't confuse him!
Country of Origin: Australia
Size: 30 cm in length from the beak to the tip of the
tail.
Life span: 10-20 years
Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus
Other Names: 'Tiel
Cockatiels are parrots that come from Australia. They come in a wide variety of colors including Grey, Lutino (yellow), Cinnamon, Pearl, Albino (white), Whiteface, and Fallow. There are new color
mutations surfacing every day, creating more variety for pet owners interested
in keeping them. Cockatiels make great pets, as they aren't to hard to look after, and bond with their owner for life.
Diet
Most people use plain old Grain mixes for cockatiels, but in my opinion pellets are a much wiser idea. Pellets contain all the vitamins and minerals a cockatiel needs, however you willl still need to buy a cuttlebone, as this supplies calcium. You can also feed them plain canary seeds, millet, sunflower seed kernels, hemp, safflower, apples, carrots and lots more (see safe table foods). Make sure your bird has fresh food and water every day, and don't put food or water dishes under perches, this should stop most contamination.
Excercise
Cockatiels can be quite active little birds, and should be allowed time outside their cage each day to play, explore. when you buy a cage, make sure your cockatiel has enough room to run around and stretch their wings. your cage should be at least a metre high and half a metre wide. If you are worried about the poo, you can buy flightsuits (bird daipers) at avianfashions and feathered fashions.
sleep
When it comes to sleep, 10-12 hours is what's best. Sleep is very important to cockatiels, and too little (due to too much light or noise keeping them up) can lead to cranky birds and in females can contribute to egg laying. When you put your cockatiel to bed, cover the cage with a light sheet, but make sure it is dark in color. This will help prevent night frights. Try to stick to a time that you put your cockatiel to bed every night, so it doesn't confuse him!
Country of Origin: Australia
Size: 30 cm in length from the beak to the tip of the
tail.
Life span: 10-20 years
Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus
Other Names: 'Tiel