Short, tall or grande?
Cockatiels are tweet! Cockatiels are medium sized birds; their average length is between 12-15 inches (including tail) and they may weigh between 90 and 150 grams (3 to 5 ounces)! They are intelligent birds that are closely related to cockatoos. If you’ve never had a pet bird before, cockatiels are good starter birds, but be sure to do your research as their care is much
different than dogs or cats. Cockatiels can be great companion pets, but just remember their vocalizations can be pretty repetitive and high pitched. If you think this bird is the right pet for you, read on for more specific information about these native Australian critters.

Most commonly these birds are gray with a yellow face and orange cheek patches. Is your cockatiel a guy or a gal? It may be a little “cheeky” but you can usually tell just by looking at its cheeks. Boys are more colorful with bright orange cheeks and the girls’ cheeks are duller and look grayer. If you want to be 100% certain, ask an avian vet about your bird’s gender. A qualified avian vet can determine by a DNA test whether your bird is a boy or a girl.

Say cheese! Wait a minute; cockatiels don’t have lips and teeth like we do! They have beaks that are used to crack open seeds, eat berries and other goodies, preen (take care of their feathers), and all sorts of other things. A well-adjusted bird that is happy and feeling safe will generally not use their beak to bite its owner; however anything with a mouth can bite.

My, what strange feet you have! Cockatiel feet have two toes that point forward and two toes that point backward. Most birds that live in your backyard around here (except woodpeckers) have three toes in the front and only one toe pointing towards the back. Cockatiel’s unique feet and beak allow them to climb around their cages, get to their food and water, play with
toys, and hold food items. Since they only have two feet to stand on you may occasionally notice your cockatiel standing on one foot with the other in the air. Don’t be alarmed! This is the way that a bird can give one foot a rest. However, if the bird begins limping or not putting any weight on one foot, you should call your avian vet.

When choosing a pet cockatiel, look for a bird whose beak looks healthy (no large cracks or splits), feet look healthy (no swollen, red or irritated toes) and feathers look healthy (no sign of feather-plucking or other feather damage). A healthy bird should be active, bright-eyed, and feather-tailed!

Remember that unless you trim its wings, a cockatiel can fly. Watch for household hazards like ceiling fans, fans on the floor, or even hot stoves. A bird that can fly can get itself into just about any room in your house and any trouble that may be there.

How long is that in cockatiel years???
A cockatiel can live 15-20 years in captivity with good quality care. The oldest cockatiel lived to be 35 years old! This pet requires a relatively large time commitment…just think of how old you’ll be 20 years from now!

Personalities are not just for people.
Every cockatiel has a unique “personality,” but you can expect most cockatiels to have some general similarities. Cockatiels are not predators, so they are sometimes cautious about new situations, including new cages, new toys and even new friends (people and other birds). The best way to get to know your cockatiel is to earn its trust. Offer your bird some of its favorite treats as you walk past the cage until the bird realizes you are a friendly person, not a scary one. Also, when choosing your bird, it’s good to find one that is somewhat inquisitive and not overly shy. This will help both you and your bird avoid potential frustrations when new people or toys come into your home.

Who said that? One of the biggest questions people may have about a pet bird is, “will my bird talk?” Many birds are good mimics of various sounds, and cockatiels are very accomplished whistlers. Some cockatiels may even imitate human speech, but you will never be able to hold a conversation with your cockatiel. Birds can mimic many sounds in their environment, but don’t know what those words mean like we would. This ability to mimic is a part of a cockatiel’s survival plan, either for finding
a mate, calling the flock, or confusing predators.

Besides imitating speech, cockatiels do have some squeaks and squawks of their own. It is not uncommon for your companion cockatiel to make noise at any time. In the wild, cockatiels will call to locate each other in the morning, greet each other or make sure everyone is safe at night. Since a wild cockatiel would communicate with its flock-mates this way, your new pet will make these calls to its new flock…you.

Cockatiels are social animals like us and enjoy spending time with friends. If you do not have much time to spend at home with your cockatiel you may want to consider getting two birds in order for them to keep each other company while you are away. However, if you are willing to train your bird and make sure it has plenty to do when you are away, one bird can be
very happy on its own in your home.