Cockatiel care guide

Cockatiels are fun, intelligent, affectionate birds who make excellent pets. In this brief guide, you’ll find all the essentials for helping your cockatiel to live its best life.

Six things to know about cockatiels.

• Experience level: Intermediate - caring for a cockatiel is relatively easy.
• Size: As the smallest member of the cockatoo family, cockatiels can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
• Lifespan: Cockatiels can live up to 15 years or more.
• Temperament: These beautiful birds are extremely sociable and love to interact with their human families.
• Behavior: Cockatiels are intelligent and easy to train.
• Origin: This species is native to Australia.

Creating a happy home.

As an active bird, your cockatiel will appreciate having an enclosure with as much room as possible to spread its wings and move about or fly short distances.

• Size of enclosure: Your bird will need a space that’s at least twice the size of its wingspan – 20” x 20” x 30” is an absolute minimum. If you have more than one bird, you’ll need to increase the enclosure accordingly.
• Interior: Include a variety of bird perches and bird stands at different heights, thicknesses and textures. This will help to keep feet and claws healthy.
• Location: Your cockatiel will be happiest if the enclosure is somewhere near the family like the living room or den. Consider having a separate nighttime cage that is in a more secluded or less trafficked part of the house so it can properly rest. Cover at night.
• Cleanliness: To avoid contamination, don’t put perches directly over food or water bowls.
• Maintenance: Line the floor of the enclosure with a paper liner or recycled-paper bedding. Replace the liner regularly or as needed to maintain a hygienic environment. Once a month deep cleaning of the entire habitat is recommended.
• Safety: Because these birds are sensitive to strong smells, gases, smoke and drafts, it’s important to keep the enclosure away from the kitchen and windows. Being close to a window might also cause stress as it allows them to visualize wildlife, neighborhood pets, passersby, and other perceived threats.

What cockatiels love to eat.

Cockatiels enjoy a varied diet but depend on specific items for their nutritional well-being.

• Meals: A mixture of 75% pellets and 25% seeds should be the mainstay of your cockatiel’s bird feed diet. Your bird will benefit from dark leafy greens, vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains every other day. These items should make up no more than 20% of your bird’s overall diet.
• Water: Your cockatiel will need fresh, clean water every day.
• Treats: Cockatiels love honey sticks treats or millet spray once a month is an extra special treat.
• Avoid: Toxic foods for cockatiels include avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, fruit seeds, onions, garlic, mushrooms, rhubarb, dried or uncooked beans, and excessively sugary, fatty or salty treats. Before you give your cockatiel any new treat, be sure to research whether it is healthy and appropriate.

How to entertain and socialize with your bird.

Cockatiels love to interact with their human families. They’re also adept at entertaining themselves with toys inside their habitat.

• Socialization: Spend at least one hour each day interacting with or holding your cockatiel. These birds love to get out of their enclosures and watch the action around them while perching on a T-stand or other safe perching surfaces. They are very smart and will often respond back to words and sounds directed towards them.
• Toys: To keep your bird stimulated and entertained, fill its habitat with a variety of toys. These might include swings, chew toys, mirrors and bells, bird ladders and climbing structures, and puzzle toys with hidden treats that your bird can figure out how to access.
• Bathing: Provide a shallow bowl of warm water that your cockatiel can bathe in 2 to 3 times a week. Alternately, you can gently mist your bird with warm water from a clean spray bottle.

Keeping your cockatiel healthy.

These tips can help your avian friend live a long and healthy life.

Grooming

• Nail trimming: Like most species, cockatiel’s nails grow. Depending on the natural wear and interaction with different surfaces the nail growth might control itself. However, in some instances your bird might require nail trims which may range from every few weeks to months. Because cutting into the quick will cause bleeding, you may want to leave this task to a veterinarian or trained professional.
• Bathing: Offer a shallow dish of warm water for bathing several times a week or mist your cockatiel lightly with water. Regular bathing helps maintain feather health.

Healthcare

Attentive care will keep your beautiful bird living a longer, healthier life.

• Checkups: An annual health visit to the vet is recommended for birds.
• Mental health: Daily social interaction and mental stimulation are vital for your bird’s well-being. Neglecting a cockatiel can lead to stress and behavioral issues.
• Signs of illness: Seek care if you notice any of following examples of illness or distress:
  • Sitting at the bottom of the enclosure; falling off perches
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Less activity and preening
  • Wounds or sores
  • Limping
  • Feathers fluffed for long periods of time; uneven or abnormal feather growth
  • Sneezing; wheezing; discharge from eyes, nose or mouth
  • Rapid breathing or increased respiratory rate
  • Runny dropping for more than two days; moist feathers around cloaca/vent
  • Regurgitation or vomiting
  • Constantly itching, plucking feathers or feathers are falling out

Safety

• Chemicals, vapors, aerosolized products, scented candles, etc.: In addition to common household chemicals, aerosolized products, scented candles, etc., pots and pans with nonstick coating like Teflon™ can be dangerous for cockatiels. These coatings have a substance called PFTE that releases colorless, odorless fumes when heated. These are extremely toxic to birds.
• Supervision: A human home is full of dangers for cockatiels. When birds have unrestricted access to the house, they may be subject to drowning, electrocution, injury, or poisoning when they ingest toxic substances. Be sure to supervise your cockatiel whenever it’s out of its enclosure.

FAQs

Are cockatiels friendly?

Cockatiels are very social animals and love spending time with their human families and exploring their surroundings.

Do cockatiels talk?

Cockatiels are not known for the same kind of speech talents as other parrots but they often communicate through whistles and chirps and can mimic repetitive sounds and noises.

How do I clean my cockatiel’s habitat?

Move your bird to a secure place like a travel carrier or a secondary habitat. Wash everything inside the primary habitat – including perches and toys – with a bird habitat cleaner or animal safe disinfectant (consult your veterinarian). Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any residue that could harm your cockatiel. Thoroughly dry the habitat's interior and replace the liner or substrate with the perches and toys. Be sure to replace any damaged or worn items.

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Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.