Mutations

Normal Grey Cockatiels
Albino Cockatiel
Grey Whiteface Cockatiel
Pearl Pied Whiteface Cockatiel
Pied Cockatiel
Pied Whiteface Cockatiel
White Pearl Cockatiel

Description

Cockatiels come in a wide variety of colors including Grey, Lutino (yellow), Cinnamon, Pearl, Albino (white), Whiteface, and Fallow. There are new color mutations surfacing every day, creating more variety for pet owners interested in keeping the birds.

Temperament

Cockatiels have a very sweet, even temperament, and will exhibit a rather curious and inquisitive nature. They can bond closely with their owners and can be extremely affectionate. Cockatiels are quite intelligent and very social, and enjoy interacting with their human "flock". When properly stimulated, they are relatively easy to care for and make wonderful companions.

Diet

Grain mixes for medium parrots, plain canary seeds, millet, sunflower seed kernels, hemp, safflower, apples, carrots and green food.

Special Needs

Pair by placing inexperienced bird with one that has raised family. Keep tame Cockatiels in a room cage, with daily free flight. Will readily breed in roomy aviary when housed by themselves.

Excercise

Cockatiels can be quite active little birds, and should be allowed time outside their cage each day to play, explore, and stretch their wings.

Cage Life

A Cockatiel is graceful and peaceable aviary or cage bird. Can talk and mimic, and cock especially has pleasant song; sometimes noisy. Hisses and swings body when disturbed while nesting. Aviary at least 2 m long. Nest box 35 X 20 X 45cm, entrance diameter 6cm - low enough so chicks can stick heads out and make peeping/ hissing sound and so bird on the nest can see out. Line bottom with sawdust or peat moss. Lays 4 to 8 white eggs, incubation 18 to 21 days (male during day, female at night), fledging 30 to 35 days, fed by parents for some time.