Cockatiels are perhaps the most popular parrot species in the world. They’re small and easy to care for, making them great pets for beginners. Keeping cockatiels is a long-term hobby, they have a lifespan of up to 25 years, so if you’re looking for a lifelong companion, this could be the bird for you! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before getting a cockatiel (including where to get one), how to handle your bird safely and easily at home, what kind of cage is best for your new feathered friend, and more.
What you need to know before getting a cockatiel
Before you get a cockatiel, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Cockatiels are social birds who love interacting with their owners and other pets. They can be trained to talk and perform tricks, but they do not make good pets for everyone.
Cockatiels are not cuddly like parrots or macaws; they don’t enjoy being held or carried around by their owners unless they’re very young (under six months old). Older cockatiels will bite if picked up against their will, so it’s best not to take any chances when handling them–and always keep an eye on those sharp beaks! If you want a bird that loves sitting on your shoulder all day long, then consider getting something else instead of a cockatiel because these guys just aren’t built for it (though they might still try).
The good news is that most people who own one end up loving how sweet and friendly these little guys can be once they get over their initial shyness around strangers!
Where to get a cockatiel
When you’re deciding where to get your bird, it’s important to find a good breeder. A reputable breeder will be able to give you information on how they care for their birds and what kind of results they’ve had with their breeding program.
When shopping for cockatiels in person, look for birds that have bright eyes and healthy feathers with no signs of disease or injury. If possible, talk with other customers who have purchased cockatiels from this particular breeder before making your decision about which bird is right for you!
Your first vet visit
When you take your cockatiel to the vet for the first time, they’ll be able to give you lots of advice on how to care for your bird. They’ll check their weight, nails and beak as well as looking at any signs of disease.
Your vet will also give them a general health check so that they can identify any problems before they get worse. This is important because it means that if something does go wrong with one of your birds later on in life (and sometimes even if it doesn’t), the vet will know what’s going on straight away when checking them out at a later date.
How to handle your cockatiel
It’s important to know that cockatiels are not meant to be handled in the same way as other birds. They can be quite delicate and it’s easy to hurt them if you don’t know what you’re doing, so here are some tips on how to handle your cockatiel:
- Don’t pick up your bird by the tail or wings. These are both areas where bones are located and can easily break if you don’t treat them gently enough. If you need help getting your bird onto something (like into its cage), use both hands–one under its body, one holding up its feet–and hold it close against yourself rather than letting go with one hand while trying to grab onto something else with it!
- Don’t grab their feet either; this will make them feel uncomfortable because they have no control over where they go next if someone grabs onto their legs instead of supporting themselves with their wings alone like other types of birds do when being held up high above earth level…
How to choose the right cage for your cockatiel
When choosing a cage for your bird, it’s important to make sure that the cage is large enough for your cockatiel to fly around in and stretch its wings. You also want to make sure that there is plenty of room on perches so that your bird can sleep at night or rest during the day. The last thing you want is for your bird’s wings to get cramped up because they are too cramped in their cage! If you do decide on getting one of these types of cages, make sure it has swing-out doors so that cleaning will be easier than ever before!
Creating a safe environment for your bird
- Keep your bird away from windows, mirrors and doors
- Keep your bird away from other pets (especially cats)
- Keep your bird away from children under the age of 10 years old
- Do not allow anyone to smoke in the same room as your cockatiel
Feeding your bird
Cockatiels need to be fed a variety of foods, including seeds, pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables.
You should feed your bird at least once or twice a day. You can also offer your cockatiel a treat in the morning and at night if you want him to have something special before bedtime. If you decide to give him treats every day, remember that they are high in fat content so don’t overdo it!
When feeding your cockatoo his breakfast (or dinner), make sure he has access to clean water at all times during the day by filling up his bowl with fresh water every few hours when needed – just like we do with our own meals!
Cockatiels are fairly easy to care for, but there are some things you need to know.
Cockatiels are fairly easy to care for, but there are some things you need to know.
- They can be noisy. Cockatiels are known for their loud, shrill voices and will sing at all hours of the day (and night). If you’re looking for a quiet bird that won’t wake up your neighbors or roommates in the middle of their sleep, then this isn’t the pet for you. However, if you have no problem with noise and enjoy hearing your bird sing throughout the day (or night), then this might be perfect!
- You’ll need to handle them daily if possible–or at least once every few days–to keep them tame and friendly toward humans rather than wild-looking or aggressive like some other parrots might become if they aren’t handled regularly by people who love them enough not only so as not want but also know how important such interaction is when compared against how much easier it could be just keeping pets locked away inside cages all day long without ever interacting with anyone else outside their own species let alone even knowing anything about what goes on outside those cages…
Cockatiels are a great bird to have as a pet. They’re easy to care for, they can be very affectionate, and they make excellent companions. If you’re thinking about getting one, we hope this article has been helpful!