Cockatiel

Generally, well-socialized birds are gentle and friendly. Some cockatiels enjoy physical contact, lending themselves well to taming. Cockatiels and their owners often develop shared rituals such as petting, scratching and preening. A cockatiel that wishes to be petted will often lower its head or nibble at the owner's fingers to indicate that it wishes to have its head and neck scratched (two places it can't easily scratch on its own), and will emit a low squeak to show its pleasure. Cockatiels which are hand-fed from a young age often enjoy physical contact.

Tamed cockatiels require a consistent few hours of quality time per day with a person or in a person's company and a good night's sleep in an area with very little noise or distractions.

Cockatiels do have a reputation for demanding attention of their owners on a regular basis. Their vocalizations range from soft cheeps to piercing cries.

Original Species Name: Nymphicus hollandicus.

Average Size: 12 to 14 inches long.

Average Weight: From 88 to 178 grams.

Average Life: 16-25 years.

Best Nutrition: variety is the key, fresh veggies and fruits, seeds & pellets.

Vocals: They rather whistling than talking. Males are the best.

Popularity: One of the most popular pet birds in the US.

Sexual Maturity: 12 to 24 months.

Egg Incubation Time: 17 to 24 days.

Weaning Age for Chicks: 8 weeks.

Eggs: Average laid 5 to 10.

Average cost: $40 to $150 ( By all means please try to adopt )

Vet Visits: At least once a year for a full check up.

"The cockatiel's lifespan in captivity is generally given as 16 to 25 years,though it is sometimes given as short as 10 to 15 years, and there are reports of cockatiels living as long as 32 years, the oldest confirmed specimen reported being 36 years old. Diet, exercise and companionship are major determining factors.

Please think before you get a cockatiel as a pet, a cockatiel is friend for life.

A cockatiel is not an ornament you put in a cage and you forget about it. They need proper care and most important, time to spend with you. "

Points of Interest.
Males have great vocal abilities and females are fairly quiet.

Females are more aggressive and they are more likely to hiss and bite.

If you put a mirror in the cage, a female looses its interest faster than a male.

Male cockatiels are better at parenting. While the mothers are responsible for hatching the eggs and caring for the newborn chicks, the male cockatiel doesn't fly off and abandon them, either. In fact, they are quite protective of their family, and in the wild, will face much larger birds and predators just to keep them safe. They are also nurturing and affectionate with their young. In cases when the mother cockatiel was killed, or injured, the father quite capably steps in and assumes all the parenting duties.

Cockatiels are extremely social birds. They have a need for social interaction. A single bird will get more attached to its keeper but if you are not at home a lot it is best to get two birds. It is a fact that two birds of the same sex get along just as well as a mixed pair. Even more so if the cockatiels were introduced while they are still young.