Bird profile: Cockatiel

Cockatiels are beautiful Australian native birds that are now popular pet choice all over the world. They are very sociable and have a playful nature. We take a closer look at what makes the Cockatiel so fascinating.

In the wild, Cockatiels are mostly grey, yellow, white, and orange. Males have bright yellow foreheads, faces and orange patches on their cheeks which distinguishes them from female cockatiels. Today with new mutations, they can come in an array of different colours and patterns.

A Cockatiel’s diet in the wild will mostly consist of seeds, nuts and berries. Feeding your Cockatiel a combination of fruits, vegetables, seeds and allowing them access to clean fresh water, will keep them happy and healthy. They should never be fed chocolate or avocados as these are toxic to them.

They are small, cute, smart and easy to take care of. As they are highly intelligent, they need a lot of stimulation so lots of toys will help them fight off boredom. If they are properly cared for, they can become very loving and affectionate. They have a soft whistle which is quite pleasant; they love attention and being handled.

4 Fast Facts about Cockatiels:

1. Scientific Name is Nymphicus hollandicus.
2. Discovered in Australia in 1770.
3. They love their sleep, they sleep about 14 hours a day.
4. They are excellent whistlers.

If you are thinking of purchasing a bird, remember to do your research. Before you decide on which species is right for you, please consider factors such as: its lifespan, the noise, time, commitment, safety, space, expenses and attention it needs.