a cockatiel
The cockatiel parakeet is a pet bird very recommended for beginners and highly appreciated for its many qualities. In this datasheet, you will find the main information and basic tips on the parakeet cockatiel.
What maintenance does a cockatiel parakeet require? How to feed a cockatiel parakeet? How does its reproduction take place? Happy reading, and why not, afterward, adopt a cockatiel?
Bird Cockatiel
The Parakeet cockatiel, sometimes called with its English name – cockatiel, is part of the order Psittaciformes, that is, parakeets and parrots, and the family Cacatuidae (to which the Cockatoos also belong).
Cockatiel Parakeet
- Scientific name: Nymphicus Hollandicus.
- Size: between 30 and 36 cm.
- Weight: between 85 and 150 g.
- Longevity: from 11 to 20 years.
Cockatiel Habitat
The cockatiel parakeet is native to Australia. cockatiels are present in the wild over most of Australia. In the 18th century, at the time of colonization of Australia by Europe,
the first birds of this species were transported by boat by explorers. Easy to tame and endowed with good health, cockatiel budgies spread quickly and became popular in Europe.
Cockatiel Characteristics Physical
The cockatiel parakeet is a small parakeet with a hoopoe that allows it to be very expressive. The classic-looking cockatiel is characterized by the yellow color of its head and bottom of its hut, orange spots in the ears, the gray color of the nape, long feathers of its crest, and the white stripes on the wings.
However, there are a number of mutations in the cockatiel parakeet which explains a significant variety of colors of this species.
To sex the cockatiel, it is necessary to wait for the first molt which usually arrives from the 4th month. Before this age it is very difficult to determine the sex of this bird:
the young of both sexes are identical. In adulthood the male has a yellower head than the female, the orange of the “cheeks” is darker, the color of the wings too.
The cockatiel parakeet is a bird resistant to many diseases. In addition, this species only rarely has behavioral disorders, which are widespread in large parrots.
Cockatiel Cage Size
Cockatiel breeding cage
Here are some examples of recommended cage dimensions: For a Canary, a model with dimensions of 40 x 20 x 30 cm may be sufficient. On the other hand, for a couple, it is better to turn to a cage of 60 x 40 x 50 cm
If you adopt a single parakeet cockatiel, you can put it in a spacious cage (the largest possible), for several birds it will be necessary to provide an aviary. Once a day the cockatiel must be able to fly in a suitable room (check that there is no danger to the bird).
If your bird does not have a companion of its kind, put the cage where much of your family’s life takes place: it is very important for these sociable and affectionate parakeets to feel close to you.
Equip the cage with several perches (natural branches will do very well) and toys (bells, swings… NB: mirrors are not recommended being considered dangerous for their psychological balance).
cockatiel colors
Cockatiel Behavior
It is not for nothing that cockatiel parakeets are so appreciated as pets. They have many indisputable qualities that you will quickly enjoy by adopting a cockatiel. The parakeets cockatiels:
- are tamed very easily.
- are sociable and affectionate.
- are gentle and kind to children.
- possess a rather balanced character, peaceful, have a certain independence, and take care of themselves.
- learn fast, are intelligent, and curious.
- are interesting to observe: lively, expressive, playful, very cute.
- are loyal to their master.
- easily cohabit with other pets.
Be careful, however, for sensitive ears: the parakeets can be quite noisy!
Best Cockatiel Food
Cockatiel breeding food
Most specialists advise special dietary granules for large parakeets that will provide a balanced basis of the diet for your cockatiel.
This food should be supplemented with vegetables (including greens, very recommended) and fresh fruits. From time to time you can give unsweetened cereals, millet once a week, sometimes eggs, or a little paws.
The cockatiel must always have fresh water at its disposal. You can also offer him, 2 times a week, orange juice or apple juice added to the water (useless if the bird regularly eats fruit). Put in his cage a cuttlefish bone (source of calcium for his bones) and a mineral block.
To be excluded from the diet of the parakeet cockatiel: avocado, parsley, beetroot, raw potato, chocolate, tea, coffee, and all dairy products, cold cuts, onion, garlic, and shallot, mushrooms, citrus fruits, rhubarb, cabbage, and soft drinks…
Cockatiel Parakeet
Birds Cockatiel
The cage of the parakeet cockatiel parrot should be cleaned 1 time per week. That said, it is always necessary to ensure that it remains clean, as well as to change the feeders and the bottom of the cage every day.
Your parakeet also needs very good hygiene itself: give it a bath or, even better, a shower by spraying (with warm water), 1 time a day minimum. Check that the bird is not exposed to drafts (this is vitally important!).
It is necessary to regularly check the absence of parasites (scabies of the beak, lice …) and ensure the good condition of the claws and beak of your cockatiel. There are therapeutic perches to ensure proper maintenance of the claws.
Finally, do not forget that the cockatiel parakeet, like all parakeets and parrots, needs good stimulation: offer him toys and renew them regularly (no need to fill the cage with accessories, it is better to put a single simple game and replace it with another once a week!).
If possible, adopt a second cockatiel: your parakeet needs company. Be aware that the occupation of these birds by variable and stimulating activities avoids behavioral disorders! Boredom is a great enemy of cockatiel parakeets and can harm their physical and mental health.
Breeding Of Cockatiel
cockatiel breeds
Reproduction of Cockatiel parakeets is possible from one year, it is preferable nevertheless that the male is at least 15 months old and the female 18 months old.
Good preparation of your birds in terms of food is to be expected a month before breeding: give your parakeet’s vitamin seeds, egg pie, water in large quantities …
Install a spacious nest box (the minimum size: 25 x 25 x 35) made of thick wood or PVC outside the cage or directly in the aviary, if your budgies live in an aviary. The female will lay between 4 and 7 eggs, and incubation will last about 20 days.
The male and female Cockatiels incubate either alternately (the male during the day and the female at night) or both together. Nestlings leave their nest around 6 weeks after birth and become completely independent of their parents at the age of 8-10 weeks.
A couple can make up to 6 broods per year but it is recommended not to exceed 3 broods in the year.
Cockatiel Price
how much does cockatiel cost:
How much does a cockatiel bird parakeet cost? What is the price of Cockatiels? The price of parakeets can be very variable, depending on where you buy them, their mutation, or the method of breeding.
You can find a 10 euro cockatiel parrot parakeet on a bird exchange, just as you can come across an advertisement for the sale of hand-raised birds at 100 $.
Generally, the prices are around 20 – 30 euros on classified ad sites and amount to 60 -70 $ for birds of an interesting mutation and in places of specialized sale.
Can cockatiel talk
The cockatiel parakeet (called cockatiel in English) is an extraordinary and very affectionate pet. They like to live together in a large cage in the absence of an aviary and can stay for hours on their human that they will choose as a perch.
You can teach them to pronounce words that they will reproduce quickly, especially if you make close connections with them.
Even if the words they speak are not as clear as those of parrots, you will be surprised by their ability to memorize and repeat words.
Creating bonds with your cockatiel
Build a special relationship. In order for your budgie to learn to speak, you need to establish close bonds with her. It is not possible to tame a bird and teach it to speak at the same time.
You need to start by making connections between you and your friend so that she is used to you before you try to teach her words.
- If you want help to establish links with your Cockatiel bird, you can ask a veterinarian, who is a competent professional. You can also inquire in a pet store.
Make sure she is healthy. You must of course feed and drink your bird regularly and provide it with a cage in which it will have enough space to be happy.
A veterinarian can confirm that he is healthy and does not lack anything. If the weather conditions are not favorable, your parakeet will certainly not want to talk.
- Your bird will learn to speak more easily if it feels good in its environment. So be sure to provide him with a space in which he will be happy to live.
Teach your cockatiel the first words
Go gradually. Start with a simple word and repeat it as often as possible. For example, you can start by pronouncing your bird’s name over and over again until it repeats it.
To teach him something different from his name, you need to use a word that is easy to remember and repeat. A syllable or two, but no more, and preferably having an acute sound.
- Yes, Cockatiel parakeet budgies have an acute voice. If you say words in a deep voice, your friend may not be able to reproduce them.
- Be logical. Say hello in the morning and good night before going to sleep, but not a good night in the morning! Your friend will associate words with actions and her biological clock.
Determine which words your budgie prefers. Look your friend straight in the eye. Do you see his pupils dilate when you say a particular word? Does its crest stand up when you say something?
If your budgie doesn’t show any physical signs of reaction, she probably doesn’t like the words you want to teach her.
- If the bird does not repeat what you are trying to teach it, there may be other reasons. Sometimes the cockatiel will not be able to pronounce certain sounds.
Always use positive reinforcement. When your budgie pronounces a word, correctly or not, reward it with a treat and kind words.
There is no perfect way to pronounce a word, some of us have an accent from Périgord, others from Canada, others from Lille… On the other hand, when your bird makes an effort to reproduce what you want to teach it, always reward it.
Always use positive reinforcement. When your budgie pronounces a word, correctly or not, reward it with a treat and kind words.
There is no perfect way to pronounce a word, some of us have an accent from Périgord, others from Canada, others from Lille… On the other hand, when your bird makes an effort to reproduce what you want to teach it, always reward it.
Take the next step. Once your friend has memorized a word (or phrase), teach her a new one, and so on. Step by step, but you still don’t want to hear the same word every day all day long!
- Put your money where your mouth is. When giving your cockatiel parakeet a small piece of apple, say the word apple. If you give him a piece of salad, say… Yes! You follow, congratulations! If you do this often, your partner will gradually pronounce the word when she sees something approaching her or her cage.
- Whistle. Even if you don’t whistle very well, you don’t have to be Mozart to whistle a few notes to your parakeet. It will sometimes reproduce them. Be aware, however, that once your friend learns to whistle, she will most certainly love it and start over more often than you would like. A bird can whistle more easily than pronounce words.
Cockatiel Advice
- If you want to welcome a Cockatiel parakeet into your home and teach him to speak, preferably choose a male, because he is much more talkative than the female who is more intellectual.
- Sometimes some budgies start talking to get your attention, but when you approach, they stop. If this happens, give your friend a lot of love and attention, as she will learn to associate pleasure and words.
- Record a few words on a breeder and when you are not at home, loop them so that the parakeet can listen to them all day. Choose words that are simple and easy to remember. Don’t exaggerate. The ideal is to speak for a few minutes and then leave a rather long silence. You still don’t want your parakeet to hear my love for 8 hours every day, it will quickly become tiresome…
- If the bird is old, it can be difficult to teach it to speak. The ideal is to train them when they are 8 to 10 months old.
- If you have a couple of elegant Cockatiel parrots, they will have less desire to talk with you. Indeed, as a couple, they will have more desire to communicate with each other and not with funny humans.
