Frequently Asked Questions

About Your First Cockatiel

What type of cage is best for a cockatiel?

Purchasing the largest cage that you can afford would be ideal. The minimum recommendations by most manufacturers is 20" by 20" by 30" in height. Some manufacturers state that 18" by 18" by 23"-27" in height are also safe. Your cockatiel should be able to completely stretch out it's unclipped wings and flap them vigorously. Cockatiels will flap vigorously for excercise, and if the cage is too small then feathers and blood feathers will break. Spacing between bars is best between 5/8" to 3/4". Be careful that the spacing is not too far apart or the cockatiel might get it's head stuck between the bars. Cages with bars that go horizontal insted of vertical make it easier for the bird to climb thru the cage. Getting a cage with a grate at the bottom will help prevent your cockatiel from walking around in it's own droppings. Perches should range in a diameter of 5/8". Avoid using abrasive or sandpaper perches that claim to keep your birds nails trim. Eventually they will cause pressure sores and leisons on your birds feet. Also make sure your birds perches are at your chest level. Cockatiels like to be elevated off the ground.

What is the best location for my cockatiels cage

Place the cage in an area where most of your time is spent. Place the cage in a well lit area. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight. Keep the cage away from open windows and drafty areas. You can check for drafts by holding a candle in the area and watch if the flame flickers. Placing the cage up against a wall helps the bird feel more secure. Try not to place the cage close to high traffic areas, like doors, people coming and going can sometimes startle your cockatiel.

Should I have the cage set up before I get my Cockatiel?

Yes, it is a good idea to have the cage prepared for the arrival of your new friend. Make sure that food and water dishes as well as any toys you may have purchased are set up in the cage for the bird. Having everything ready will allow your bird to start becoming familiar with its new home and new surroundings with very little discomfort to the bird.

The only way to be 100% sure is to do a DNA blood test. Taking your bird to an Avian vet is another way. You can ask you vet and the vet can feel the pelvic bone. This method is not recommended to inexperienced people for you can cause severe damage to the bird. If you don't have an avian vet or the money to go to one right away, there are a few other ways you can tell. Check your birds tail feathers for barring, and the underside of the wings for dots. Most males lose their barring and dots after their first molt. Normally females will retain some of the color in their cheeck patches. Female cheeck patches tend to be a bit lighter in color than those in a male. Another way is listening to your bird. The males tend to be the singers, and make different types of noises, while the females are not as vocal. There have been some cases where the females have been vocal. Visual markings tend to be a bit more difficult in cross bred cockatiels (grey bird mated with lutino bird). Cross bred birds tend to have different color markings then your normal grey or lutino bird.

What is the average life expectancy of a cockatiel?

On average a cockatiel can live between 15 to 20 years. With a healthy diet and lots of love they could live even longer.

What type of food does a cockatiel eat?

A Cockatiels diet consists of a vitamin enriched seed mix, millet seeds (a favorite treat), and even some human food. Rice, lettuce, carrots, beans, and pastas have been chosen as favorites among most birds. there ar etwo things that you must never feed your bird, Avocado and chocolate. Those two items of food can be fatal to your bird. A cuddlebone is highly recommended for your bird for it allows them to maintain a healthy beak while getting some calcium in their diet and other vitamins. Try not to feed your bird too much sunflower seeds for those are the twinkies of the bird world. Sunflower seeds are extreemly high in fat.

How do I teach my Cockatiel the finger trick?

It's best to start with a dowel or stick. Gently nudge the dowel or stick at the birds legs. Repeat until the bird instinctively steps onto the dowel or stick. Once the bird has that down, then try to use your finger. Be patient and remember that repetition is the key. Happy words of encouragement as well as rewarding your bird with a treat are also recommended.

My bird flies around alot and i'm afraid that my bird will fly out the door, what should I do?

Have the birds wings clipped. It's painless and will help a great deal with training your bird. It's best to have a vet clip your birds wings, and watch the vet and ask the vet questions about how to clip your birds wings so that you will be able to do it in the future. Be careful though, if you cut too much of the feathers you can end up cutting the birds wing and causing it to bleed.

My new bird is trembling when I go near it and try to talk to it, is it getting sick?

Your new bird is trembling because he/she is nervous and not use to it's surroundings. Once you and your bird are better aquainted the trembling should decrease. If the trembling gets worse or continues after your bird has become aquainted with you and it's surroundings, take you bird into a Avian Vet right away. It's a good idea to take your bird to an Avian vet shortly after you purchase the bird, to get a physical and make sure that the bird is healthy.

I have not seen my Cockaiel eat or drink, what should I do?

Listen to your bird when you cover the cage at night and listen for noise coming from your birds cage. Also check your birds droppings the next morning (Its a good habbit to get into checking your birds droppings on a daily basis to watch for sickness and change in your bird). If there is little droppings then your bird may not be eating or drinking. Be sure to have food dishes at the bottom of the cage until your bird becomes more accustomed to it's new surroundings. Your bird may also not be eating if the food in it's cage is not similar to what it was eating at the pet store or breeders. You can also try placing your bird on the food or water dish to help familiarize him/her with the surroundings.

Is it possible for my Cockatiel to starve to death?

If your bird has not eaten within 48 hours, yes it is possible that your bird can starve to death. Be sure that you have a food and water dish at the base of the cage until your bird becomes more familiar with it's new home. Your birds natural instinct to eat will have kicked in by day two and it will be searching for food

What are "Night Frights"? How do I prevent them?

Night Frights are when your Cockatiel gets spooked in the dark and starts flapping around trying to fly. Cockatiels cannot see in the dark and start flapping their wings around to try to fly away from possible danger. Trying to fly around in their cage in the dark can cause your bird to fly into the bars and toys which can lead to broken wings and broken blood feathers. If you find your bird is bleeding, wrap your bird up in a towel and go to an Avian Vet ASAP. You can help prevent Night Frights by placing a nightlight next to your birds cage.

How many hours of sleep a night does a Cockatiel need?

Cockatiels need 10-12 hours of quiet undisturbed sleep to stay healthy. Be sure you have a nightlight to prevent Night Frights. Some owners have 2 cages, one for daytime use and one for nighttime use. Loud music or TV or conversation can cause your bird to be up at all hours of the night. Cockatiels are not nocturnal.

Should I cover my birds cage at night when I put him/her to bed?

Covering your birds cage at night will help give him/her a sense of security. There are some birds that prefer not to sleep under a cover. If your bird starts to flap vigorously when you cover the cage, consider only covering half the cage, leaving your bird the option to sleep under the cover or not. This also allows the bird to be more aware of its surroundings. Keep the nightlight handy to prevent Night Frights.

What is a Blood Feather and why is breaking one so dangerous?

A Blood Feather is an actively growing new feather and it contains circulating blood. Blood Feathers are also called pin feathers. These feathers hav a visible supply of blood near the birds body. If broken the bird could bleed to death. The feather shaft has to be removed from the follicle in the birds skin if a Blood Feather is broken. If you are unsure about how to do this, then wrap your bird up in a towel and go to the Avian Vet right away. A broken Blood Feather is considered an emergency for your bird.

My bird is making a grinding noise with it's beak, why?

This noise indicates that your bird is content and very happy. It is a sign of a healthy bird.

My birds feet are very warm, why?

Warm feet mean that your bird is happy and healthy. Cold feet indicate that your bird could be unwell. Take your bird to an Avian Vet if your birds feet are cold

My bird fluffs up then shakes about, why?

This is a cockatiels way of stretching out and relaxing.

My bird is constantly picking it's feet, is this normal?

Sure is. Cockatiels take great pride in being well groomed.

My bird sleeps with one leg up and it's head tucked away, is this normal behavior?

Yes, that is the sign of a happy healthy bird. That is how they sleep normally.

My bird yawns and stretches its neck alot, why is that?

Your bird does this to clear out the crops. Cockatiels don't have throats. If a bird does this while your petting it, then it means they are trying to regurgitate on you. This is how mates feed eachother. It is the highest compliment your bird can give you. However yawning and neck stretching can also be signs of a respitory infection or lack of oxygen. Try opening a window or taking your bird into another room. If your bird is still doing it and you are worried, then you should take your bird into an Avian Vet.

Can my bird get sick if I am sick?

Yes, your bird can catch any cold of flu that you have. Stay away from your bird as much as possible while you are sick. As soon as your bird starts to show symptoms of any kind that are out of the norm, take you bird to an Avian Vet right away. Try not to cough or sneeze in front of your bird and be sure that you wash your hands before you handle anything in the birds cage like food or water.