Guide Note

Cockatiels are a small species of the cockatoo family, native to Australia. Cockatiels make excellent pets for the beginning bird owner. Cockatiels are affectionate, smart and easy to care for.

Fast Facts

1. Life span: 15 years
2. Length: 10-12 inches
3. Make excellent pets
4. Talking ability: Poor, but males often learn to whistle complex tunes
5. Breeding: Excellent
6. Number of eggs: 4 to 6
7. Incubation: 19 to 21 days
8. Compatibility with other birds: Good
9. Sexing: Males have a bright orange round patch on their cheeks and their heads are yellow, females have mostly grey heads and bars under their tail feathers¹

1. Cockatiels love sunshine, allow your bird to sun itself for at least 20 minutes a day, this will activate vitamin D production.
2. It is fine to give your cockatiel small amounts of chicken, it's a good source of protein.
3. Vary bird seed for a healthy diet.
4. Cockatiels love toys, especially the preening type toys, mix them up so they don't get bored.
5. Keep the cage clean.
6. Keep wings clipped.
7. Trim nails regularly.
8. Keep Quickstop (a styptic powder clotting agent safe for birds) handy in case of a bleeding pin feathers or nails.
9. Offer fresh food and water daily.
10. Cockatiels love to take baths, offer a bathing tub or bowl of water.
11. Cuttlebone provides necessary minerals.

• Insecticide sprays
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Oven cleaner
• Glue
• Nail Polish remover
• Paint
• Perfumes
• Teflon Note: If non-stick cookware overheat, the smoke and fumes can be fatal to birds
• Chocolate
• Avacado
• Rhubarb