Cockatiels 101
A cockatiel (Nymphicus Hollandicus) is the smallest member of the Cockatoo family. They are naturally found in Australia, inhabiting forest and brushland. In the wild they eat a variety of seeds, fruits, and nuts.
While they can easily live to well over 30, the average lifespan of a captive 'tiel is about 15 years.
They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, but the "wild type" is grey, with males having yellow faces.
While they are sexually dimorphic (boys look different from girls), birds with the Pied mutations and White face Lutino mutations are impossible to sex visually. Other mutations and wild types can be sexed by the following: Males have bright yellow or white faces, whistle, sing and talk. Females have dull faces, rarely whistle to the extent of males, and have horizontal barring on their tales.
A cockatiel (Nymphicus Hollandicus) is the smallest member of the Cockatoo family. They are naturally found in Australia, inhabiting forest and brushland. In the wild they eat a variety of seeds, fruits, and nuts.
While they can easily live to well over 30, the average lifespan of a captive 'tiel is about 15 years.
They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, but the "wild type" is grey, with males having yellow faces.
While they are sexually dimorphic (boys look different from girls), birds with the Pied mutations and White face Lutino mutations are impossible to sex visually. Other mutations and wild types can be sexed by the following: Males have bright yellow or white faces, whistle, sing and talk. Females have dull faces, rarely whistle to the extent of males, and have horizontal barring on their tales.
Choosing Your Cockatiel
There are many things to consider when looking for a cockatiel. A vast majority of them are personal preferences, such as color, and gender; in addition, you must decide if you would like a more affordable pet quality bird, or intend on breeding or showing the bird and springing for show quality. You must also decide who you will buy said bird from. Many people preach "adopt don't shop", however, there are many responsible breeders that provide quality, humanely raised cockatiels. If you do chose to adopt from a shelter or sanctuary, make sure you are prepared for any health or behavioral issues the bird may come with. We are hoping you chose Catastrophic Cockatiels to provide you with your next cockatiel, but we completely understand if you adopt.
After you have decided on what color, gender, quality, and where you would like to buy your bird, there are several ways to assure you are getting a healthy, well raised bird.:
-Ask to see the parents and the cage they are in. A good breeder will have them in an adequately sized, clean cage with toys, natural perches, and ready access to clean water and food. The parents should look healthy and to be in good condition.
-Ask general knowledge questions, such as "How old can I reasonably expect this bird to live? What should I feed it? How often should I trim its nails?". If they cannot answer these questions, move on.
-Ask if the breeder is a member of a reputable, established bird club, such as National Cockatiel Society. Many backyard breeders will not bother to pay the registration fee.
When you see the bird, make sure it is healthy. It should have a general look of alertness and clarity. The eyes and nares (nose) should be clear and clean with no discharge. The bird should not always be fluffed up and sleeping. The bird should stand up straight, not slouch over the perch. The wings and tail should not be drooping. Droppings are abit tricky- birds are VERY easily stressed out, especially by moving. The droppings may appear loose or watery for a day or so. Before and after the move, however, they should be solid, formed, and black with white in the middle. They should eat and drink readily on their own, and if they were handfed or tamed, them should readily "step up" when presented with your finger.
There are many things to consider when looking for a cockatiel. A vast majority of them are personal preferences, such as color, and gender; in addition, you must decide if you would like a more affordable pet quality bird, or intend on breeding or showing the bird and springing for show quality. You must also decide who you will buy said bird from. Many people preach "adopt don't shop", however, there are many responsible breeders that provide quality, humanely raised cockatiels. If you do chose to adopt from a shelter or sanctuary, make sure you are prepared for any health or behavioral issues the bird may come with. We are hoping you chose Catastrophic Cockatiels to provide you with your next cockatiel, but we completely understand if you adopt.
After you have decided on what color, gender, quality, and where you would like to buy your bird, there are several ways to assure you are getting a healthy, well raised bird.:
-Ask to see the parents and the cage they are in. A good breeder will have them in an adequately sized, clean cage with toys, natural perches, and ready access to clean water and food. The parents should look healthy and to be in good condition.
-Ask general knowledge questions, such as "How old can I reasonably expect this bird to live? What should I feed it? How often should I trim its nails?". If they cannot answer these questions, move on.
-Ask if the breeder is a member of a reputable, established bird club, such as National Cockatiel Society. Many backyard breeders will not bother to pay the registration fee.
When you see the bird, make sure it is healthy. It should have a general look of alertness and clarity. The eyes and nares (nose) should be clear and clean with no discharge. The bird should not always be fluffed up and sleeping. The bird should stand up straight, not slouch over the perch. The wings and tail should not be drooping. Droppings are abit tricky- birds are VERY easily stressed out, especially by moving. The droppings may appear loose or watery for a day or so. Before and after the move, however, they should be solid, formed, and black with white in the middle. They should eat and drink readily on their own, and if they were handfed or tamed, them should readily "step up" when presented with your finger.
How to Care for a Cockatiel
Cockatiels are relatively easy to care for when compared to larger parrots and other pets. They will need an adequately sized cage (at least 30"x18"x18" and no more than 1/2" bar spacing), a variety of perches, a toy they can shred, several toys that are rotated or replaced regularly, and large, clean food and water bowls.
Their water needs to be changed at least once daily, and food should be topped up daily. The cage pan should be cleaned every other day if using paper, or once a week if using bedding (more often if there are several birds in the same cage).
A variety of beddings can be used, including paper towels, news paper, brown paper bags, corn cob bedding, wood shavings (NO CEDAR), and recycled paper.
A cockatiel's diet should be balanced and varied. They should have a staple diet of pellets and seeds, be given Mash every other day, and fresh fruits and veggies every other day. They should also always have access to a cuttle bone and mineral block. Treats such as millet and treat sticks should be given a maximum of twice a week.
Like all birds, cockatiels require regular nail and beak trimming. If you chose to do so, their wings must also be clipped every several months.
While most birds will bathe regularly by themselves, some require human intervention in the form of misting or spraying.
Cockatiels are very hardy birds, but they CAN and Will get sick if not properly cared for. The biggest ailment affecting these guys is Avian Obesity, caused by a high-seed diet and lack of exercise. They can also fall ill with a variety of colds, infections, and respiratory problems.
Cockatiels are relatively easy to care for when compared to larger parrots and other pets. They will need an adequately sized cage (at least 30"x18"x18" and no more than 1/2" bar spacing), a variety of perches, a toy they can shred, several toys that are rotated or replaced regularly, and large, clean food and water bowls.
Their water needs to be changed at least once daily, and food should be topped up daily. The cage pan should be cleaned every other day if using paper, or once a week if using bedding (more often if there are several birds in the same cage).
A variety of beddings can be used, including paper towels, news paper, brown paper bags, corn cob bedding, wood shavings (NO CEDAR), and recycled paper.
A cockatiel's diet should be balanced and varied. They should have a staple diet of pellets and seeds, be given Mash every other day, and fresh fruits and veggies every other day. They should also always have access to a cuttle bone and mineral block. Treats such as millet and treat sticks should be given a maximum of twice a week.
Like all birds, cockatiels require regular nail and beak trimming. If you chose to do so, their wings must also be clipped every several months.
While most birds will bathe regularly by themselves, some require human intervention in the form of misting or spraying.
Cockatiels are very hardy birds, but they CAN and Will get sick if not properly cared for. The biggest ailment affecting these guys is Avian Obesity, caused by a high-seed diet and lack of exercise. They can also fall ill with a variety of colds, infections, and respiratory problems.
Q&A
- Q: Why do you breed cockatiels?
- A: I love birds, and always have. I want to help share the joys of bird ownership with people. I will work with people on the prices of these birds if necessary, and will always provide and guidance or advice needed.
- Q: I can't find a home for my cockatiel and I'm moving/lost my job/sick, will you take it?
- A: Yes, if it is in good general health I will foster a bird and find it an excellent home.
- Q: I really don't have a lot of money but still would very much like a bird...
- A: While I charge fair prices and work with people as much as possible in order to allow them to have a bird, I understand that times are tough and not everyone can afford it. I do occasionally have birds up for adoption rather than for sale. These birds are either surrenders, retired breeders, or special needs birds. If you are prepared to care for one of these birds, I either charge a very low fee or, for the perfect home, no fee at all.
- Q: What color babies do you have normally?
- A: Only one of our pairs is proven, so I can only guess by what the birds are visually: we have lutino pieds (m/f), normal pieds (m/f), cinnamon pieds (f), cinnamon pearls (f), pastel faces (m/f), pastel face pieds (m/f) and normals (m).
- Q: I would like a a breeder bird from your next breeding, what do I need to do?
- A: You need to tell me what color and gender you are looking for and if you are looking for one from a specific pair. If the birds have not hatched yet, i cannot say for sure that you will get that bird. If you are looking for a certain gender I will not know until the bird is at least 3 weeks old and can be DNA sexed.
- Q: What do you typically charge for a bird?
- A: That depends on color, gender, age, if it's from a show quality bird, if it is DNA sexed, and if it is a breeder or not. For example, the most expensive bird I would sell would be a male pastelface pied, show quality, pet, DNA sexed, which would be $200. The cheapest would be a normal (either gender), non-show quality, not sexed, breeder, which would be $40. Average price is about $100.
- Q: will the birds see a vet?
- A: unless they are sick, no. But, as part of your health guarantee, you can take the bird to a vet within the 72 hours of purchase, and if the vet finds it sick, you may return for a refund or exchange the bird for another bird of equal price if available. The guarantee covers the bird from the following: Congenital and genetic defects affecting health and quality of life, and parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. A written, signed contract is given at the time of the sale.
- Q: Where do you buy your bird supplies?
- A: I order most of them from this website: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/ although I usually buy my perches from someone that custom makes them (I can give contact info if wanted).