Cockatiels

Originally found in Australia, the first Cockatiels were brought to Britain from Australia during the late nineteenth century. The Cockatiels' natural habitat is the grasslands and lighter woodlands.

Ornithologists believe Cockatiels are Cockatoos which, in the process of evolution, remained behind in size and came to look more like Parakeets than "true parrots." The name Cockatiel is thought to be an English adaptation of a Dutch sailor's pronunciation of the Portugese word "cacatitho", meaning a little Cockatoo. Cockatiels are mainly found in Australia and are often known as desert birds.

A wild Cockatiel is usually grey with a yellow face and orange cheek patches with an orange crest. Specially bred Cockatiels vary from the white Lutino Cockatiels, Pied Cockatiels with patches of dark and light feathers, Cinnamon and Pearl Cockatiels.

Cockatiels are ideal for the first time pet owner. They are characteristically happy and cheerful birds, never moody or demanding. Their whistle is soft and they are gentle. Cockatiels feed on greens in all forms, corn muffins or soft breads. Canned kernel type corn and millets are special favorites. Cockatiels can easily be trained to say simple phrases and are especially talented at learning to whistle little tunes. Their voices have a reedy quality much like the voice of a small child.

Tame Cockatiels often love to do things like take showers with you and wolf-whistle. Cockatiels also ask to be picked up and played with. However, untrained Cockatiels can be a nuisance, especially in front of guests.

Cockatiels as Pets

Every bird owner knows that Cockatiels as pets can be a major source of fun. Because of their small size, Cockatiel care and taming is easier than some other Parrot species. Cockatiels as pets are small parrots with a variety of color patterns and a crest. Cockatiels are attractive as well as friendly and easy to tame. Cockatiels as pets are capable of mimicking speech, although they can be difficult to understand. Teaching Parrots to whistle tunes is something that makes Cockatiels as pets so lovable and cute.

While choosing Cockatiels as pets, look for a bird that is bright, alert and active. A bird sitting quietly with puffed feathers might be ill and is best avoided. The feathers should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on the body. This is what makes Cockatiels as pets such an attractive presence in your life. Cockatiels as pets are active and playful and should have a large cage.

Variety is the key to a healthy diet. And healthy diets are the only key to earn the love of Cockatiels as pets. Seeds and a pelleted diet are good for Cockatiels as pets. However, fresh fruits, vegetables, hard boiled eggs and cooked meats should also be a part of the diet for healthy Cockatiels as pets.

Cockatiel Health

Cockatiel health is the most important point you should keep in mind when you plan to get a Cockatiel as a pet. It is generally believed Cockatiel health problems are minimal if the bird has been bred in the spring or summer.

Some of the most common viruses that affect CCockatiel health are Pacheco’s Virus and Polyomavirus. Birds infected by Pacheco's virus do not live long. Oral dose of Zovirax is available , but it does not help much.

Polyomavirus is air-borne and complicated to control. Look for clinical warning signs like depression, delayed crop emptying, anorexia, diarrhea,regurgitation and weight loss in Parrots.

Another disease that affects Cockatiel health majorly is the Wasting Disease. This disease has a severe effect on nervous system extended to all of the major organs, triggering seizures, paralysis, and tremors, and also heart attacks. There is no known medication available for Wasting Disease, but changing the food patterns of the parrots by including easily digestible diet supplements may prolong the life of a victim.

Good Cockatiel health implies active and bright birds with glossy and thick feathers.

Cockatiel Diseases

Cockatiel diseases are an important part of Cockatiel care. As a Cockatiel owner, you should be aware of all Cockatiel diseases and what is to be done if your bird contracts any of them. Like all Parrot species, Cockatiels never show evident symptoms of diseases. When you notice unusual behaviour patterns or change in the amount of food intake or unusual droppings, that's when you realize your Cockatiel has contracted some disease.

Runny Nose or Nasal Discharge - The most common of all nasal discharge is laxity of Vitamin-A in Parrots. This deficiency can be corrected by increasing the food quantities that are rich in vitamins and mineral contents especially.

Gout - Babies who appear slightly smaller than their regular sizes, with protruding neck bone have the largest possibility of incurring gout. Initially they show regurgitating and slight dehydration after feedings. Blood tests are a good measure to check the high levels of urates in the blood.

E-coli - This bacterium is not so lethal if it is acknowledged and treated at initial stages. In fact, when Parrots are diagnosed of having Ecoli their droppings usually have the appearance of diarrhea, giving out strong odor.

Cockatiel Care

The best advice I can give regarding Cockatiel care is to get the largest cage you can afford. Cockatiel care cost is high. Cockatiels are high maintenance pets. They require many hours of love daily, which they will then return to you. An important step in Cockatiel care is to provide the best conditions in the cage. Newspaper is the best floor covering for a cage; you can inspect the birds' droppings occasionally to assess the state of his health, and can take up the top sheets frequently to remove the dirt.

Cockatiel care includes good regulation of its diet. This bird is used to eating seeds, pelleted feed and fresh chopped fruits, vegetables, and greens. For proper Cockatiel care, it is important to wash your bird's food and water containers daily. Clean the cage and accessories on a regular basis. Doing so will help prevent illnesses.
Another important step in Cockatiel care is to keep its wing feathers trimmed. Birds with untrimmed wings CAN and WILL fly away.

All Cockatiels cannot talk. They love to whistle and mimic a variety of sounds. Excellent Cockatiel care makes well-trained Cockatiels.

Cockatiel Behavior

Understanding Cockatiel behavior is the first step to keeping these wonderful birds as pets. These Parrots are easy to take care of and they are relatively quiet compared to their larger cousins, viz, Macaws and African Greys.

Backing up into a corner and hissing are not a part of normal Cockatiel behavior. These are signs that they are threatened or frightened. Try and find out the source of their fear and do away with it as soon as you can. However, bobbing the head, scratching and grinding the beak are absolutely normal Cockatiel behavior. These gestures show they are happy and relaxed.

Copyright (c) 2006 Nathalie Roberts