Cockatiel Care Guide

Get to Know Your Cockatiel

Basic Information

Common Name

Cockatiel

Scientific Name

Nymphicus hollandicu

Distribution

Australia

Size

11”- 14” (Head to tail)

Life span

20 - 30 Years

Checklist for Your Cockatiel

Cage

Cage liner & litter

Perch – Wood, Ropes

Food

Spray millet

Feeder cups for food & water

Treats

Toys

Ladders & swings

Mite repellent

Cuttlebone

Everything your Cockatiel needs, all in one place.

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Feeding Your Cockatiel

Safe to Feed

Prepackaged bird treats

Avoid

Chocolate & other candy

Onions

Avocados

Highly salted foods

Cockatiel Habitat

Cockatiels can be housed in any cage that features 3/4” bar spacing, but also need enough surface area to extend their wings.
They should have several perches, preferably made of different materials – wood, rope, etc. with varying diameters.
Provide a water cup, seed cup, and fresh food cup as well as a cuttlebone.
Toys from each category should be provided: destructible, communication, enrichment, and exercise.
Watch out for fumes. Place the cockatiel cage in a safe place with clean fresh air to breathe. Overheated non-stick surfaces containing Teflon, such as those found on cookware, drip pans, irons, and self-cleaning ovens, can emit odorless fumes that are rapidly fatal to birds. Birds have sensitive respiratory systems, keep this in mind when finding the best place for your cockatiel.

Cleaning

Spot clean your cage daily.
Replace substrate or liners weekly.
Deep clean monthly. Move your cockatiel to a secure place away from your cleaning space (preferably a travel carrier or small cage for birds). Clean all bowls, toys, and perches. Wooden perches must be scrubbed gently with a brush (do not wet). Do not use cleaning agents around your bird.
Thoroughly dry the habitat and ensure it is odor free before returning your bird.
Replace worn toys, dishes and perches as needed.
Monthly is the best time to rotate toys.

Handling Your Cockatiel

Cockatiels require constant mental stimulations –if not provided with something to do at all times, cockatiels may become aggressive or may pluck out their feathers.
Cockatiels are excellent whistlers (especially the males) and can mimic many other sounds (telephone rings, doorbells, etc.).
This species of bird is very prone to breaking blood feathers. Therefore, it is important to provide a spacious cage, so they do not damage their wings or tail.
If you choose to keep wings clipped make sure to have them trimmed by a trained person.
Birds need regular grooming, including nail trimming every few weeks to months; nails should be trimmed by a trained person to prevent injury to the bird.
Most pet birds are diurnal species, meaning that they get up at dawn and settle in to sleep at dusk. Most birds do best with 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Cover the birds cage at night. Cockatiels are known for night frights, episodes of violent uncontrolled wing flapping. Approach slowly, turn on the light and speak softly to the bird as you are approaching.
Your bird needs a bath. Bathing your bird is important to its feathers, skin, and sinuses. Some birds prefer bath bowls while others prefer to be misted. Experiment with both to find out what your bird enjoys. Birds should be bathed one to two times weekly.