Do cockateils make good pets?

Answer 1

Cockatiels are small parrots that make excellent pets. Cockatiels are second only to parakeets in types of pet popularity. They come in a lot of color mutations, some more unseen than others. The price can be different depending on how popular a certain color mutation is and its current availability.

It is best to get a young bird that is NOT hand fed. They cost less and make a great companion

Cockatiels are very lovey birds that will sometimes learn tricks to please their owners. They can speak and make sounds, but their voice is very high-pitched so it can be hard to hear the words. However, their way of whistling is unique Any cockatiels can be taught songs with day and night practice. Cockatiels have powder on their feathers so they can clean themselves. The powder can be a horrible for very allergic people. also it tends to leave a layer on things around the cage. mostly it is not a problem, but if you are a neat freak or highly allergic, a cockatiel is not the best choice.

Their lifespan is 15-20 years. A healthy diet and adequate exercise is important.

A bad thing with some cockatiels is the horrible scary, night frights. a night fright is when they are startled in the night and they thrash in the cage, sometimes breaking a blood feather. I suggest a nightlight near the cage.

Answer 2

Cockateils are GREAT pets. They are very smart, and can be taught tricks, and how to talk. But they need lots of care and attention. They do get bored easy, and may start shrieking alot but if you give them some toys, and take them out of their cage in your house(make sure doors and windows are closed please!) they will have a great time.

Answer 3

Cockatiels are awesome pets! They and budgies are listed as the two top pet birds for a well deserved reason.

Cockatiels are very easy going as parrots go. Even when breeding they're very sweet birds and you can often keep 2 in a cage without them losing their excellent pet qualities. If you don't handle them for a long time they're still rather sociable though ideally they should be handled daily. They're not loud birds so you won't annoy your neighbors, though males can chatter often. They can learn to talk and whistle with whistling being their better talent. People have said that males make better talkers but out of all the tiels I've owned, it was a hen who was the chattiest!

Cockatiels don't bite very hard. Most of their attitude is posturing and trying to be scary. They hiss and sway, trying to look really mean, but in most cases (with the exception of abused and breeding birds) they'll tussle with a finger and walk away. Hand fed birds are almost always exceptionally sweet birds who will eagerly run to you. Parent fed birds can be just as delightful but it takes extra effort to tame them. I'm lazy and prefer hand feds to parent fed birds unless I plan on breeding the bird in question.

The down sides to cockatiels is their feather dust. Cockatiels are very dusty birds because unlike other parrot species, they don't shed their down feathers. Rather their down breaks apart into a powder that protects the feathers from water and dirt. Many people find this dust annoying (like me! I have dust allergies and I have 6 tiels!), but if you have an air purifier and you dust regularly the powder is easy to live with.

Another down side to cockatiels is their superb flying abilities. because they're so light, all it takes is for one flight feather to grow in on each wing after a clipping for them to fly across the room. it's very important for cockatiels to be wing trimmed regularly or the risk of a fly away is high!

Cockatiel hens are also devoted egg layers. Chronic egg laying is one of their top health problems so make sure you keep cuttlebone around their cage if you decide to get a tiel :-)

Answer 4

Cockatiels are relatively small parrots that make excellent pets. Cockatiels are second only to parakeets in terms of pet popularity. They come in a variety of color mutations, some rarer than others. The price can vary greatly depending on how desirable a certain color mutation is and its current availability.

It is best to get a young bird that is handfed. If parent-raised, it should have been handled regularly and be quite tame already.

Cockatiels are very affectionate birds that will often learn tricks to delight their owners. They can mimic speech and sounds, but their voice is very high-pitched so it can be hard to hear the words. However, their whistling ability is well known, and many tiels can be taught whole songs with practice. Their gentle, sweet nature makes them ideal birds for young children (although generally pet birds are not a good idea for children under age 6 in most cases). Cockatiels have a powder on their feathers which they use to clean themselves. This powder can be a problem for very allergic persons. It also tends to leave a coating on things around the cage. In most cases it is not a problem, but if you are a neat freak or highly allergic, this bird might not be the best choice.

Their lifespan is 15-20 years, but I have heard of cockatiels living much longer than this. A healthy diet and adequate exercise can extend their lives quite a bit. Get them a cage large enough to flap the wings and play.

One issue with some cockatiels is night frights. This is when they are startled in the dark at night and they thrash about the cage, sometimes injuring themselves seriously. Some people suggest a nightlight near the cage so the bird can get its bearings, thus reducing the panic that leads to more thrashing.

Males have slightly brighter plumage and get more yellow around the face and crest (I'm referring to the normal wild-colored cockatiel here). However, it can be hard to determine sex in very young birds. Both sexes make good pets, although it is recommended that you not put mirrors in the cages of male cockatiels as they will strut about to show off and can become aggressive to protect this "mate."

Caging: Cockatiels are very playful. They should be given as large a cage as possible. Make sure the spacing between bars is no greater than 3/4" and make sure there are plenty of horizontal bars to facilitate climbing. Add swings and toys to keep your bird amused and content. Make sure your bird has adequate room for play and exercise.

Diet: Cockatiel seed mix, cockatiel or parakeet sized pellets (mini or small), fresh vegetables, fruit, sprouts and whole grains. A varied diet is best. Cuttlebone for calcium.

Health: Cockatiels are very robust birds. Like most parrots, they should not be put near drafts (avoid putting the cage near a drafty window, especially at night). They can develop fatty tumors so avoid high-fat diet (no seed-exclusive diets). Do not put the cage near a window where headlights might flash at night to prevent startling the bird, which can cause night frights.

Noise: Distinctive sound is not at all offensive. Very pleasant chirping. Whistles easily, so if you don't want the bird to whistle, don't whistle to it as it will learn quickly.

Sleep: Cockatiels should get a good night's sleep with atleast 10 hours of darkness and quiet. Some people recommend a night light near the cage to help with night frights.

I have bred and raised cockatiels until my son was born 10 years ago! I miss them. I also suggest having the wings clipped. To add, they are more social to you if only one. Paired up they usually pay attention to each other.

Answer 5

They are the easiest bird to care for. They live 10-14. The males are more likely to talk and whistle. But, dont expect much. Most only say a few words. They're easy to train. But, you have to get them while there young.

Answer 6

I am the owner of two adorable cockatiels. And they require someone who can devote lots of time to them. They are generally better tempered if they are hand raised babies, and are very affectionate. They are also a very vocal bird so be prepared to hear some noise lol. I hope that helped out a bit.

Answer 7

I had one for 14 years and he was a doll. When we got him he was only a few months old but our vet said that since he hadn't been hand raised we'd probably never be able to really tame him. Ha, was he wrong! Pepper became a very loving member of our family, sitting on our shoulders, eating from our plates and tormenting our cats!

Answer 8

I love cockatiels, personally. They are great companions. They can be a little loud, but that is not the case with all of them. They are trainable and friendly. You also get the joys of bonding with the bird when you train it. I have one and they are great. They love attention and want to be with you, if they get the oportunity to bond with you. good luck!!

Answer 9

Excellent!

Answer 10

Excellent! They don't smell as bad as other birds. And you can teach them to say stuff and sing too!

Mine shrieks a lot though so noise could be a problem.