Cockatiels: Qualities
The cockatiel is an ideal first bird and make an excellent choice for children and teenagers. They are wonderful birds for the beginner and more experienced alike. They are extremly beautiful, elegant birds who pride their plumage a great deal.
Size
The Cockatiel is 11-14 inches in length (averaging at about 12 inches for a normal pet Cockatiel), which includes 6 inches of tail feathers. The crest should be ideally 3 inches long.
The adult cock weighs between 80 and 102 grams. The hen is slightly smaller, weighing in at between 89 and 92 grams.
Cost
The initial expenditure is very low, with you being able to purchase parent-reared and aviary-bred birds for as little as £8 for a normal grey with the mutations increasing in price up to £25-£80 for an unsual variety or good quality exhibition bird. Handreared tame Cockatiels can vary from £25 to £75. Their little cost is wholely out of chaarcter to the amazing temperament of these birds or the amount of satifaction a pet or group of aviary Cockatiels can return to their lucky owner.
Temperament & Character
Cockatiels are characteristically cheerful, friendly, happy-go-lucky birds who are very intelligent, social, companion birds. They are easily tamed and trained, elegant, alert, hardy, gentle, docile, rarely nippy (REMEMBER... ALL BIRDS BITE!), small, very clean, quiet, playful, outgoing, curious, tolerant, mellow, great with other birds, very rarely moody, never demanding, affectionate, devoted to their owner, entertaining, amusing and have a sensitive nature. They have all the good qualities of the larger parrots but without the negative behavioural problems and destructive nature ...plus they have the advantage of being very easy to care for and house.
Pet Cockatiels require lots of attention and can learn to perform tricks, whistle tunes, and talk.
A single pet Cockatiel will bond strongly with its primary companion, regarding you as its mate. This can cause the bird to regurgitate to you, or mate on your hand. This is pure affection as you are their chosen partner.
Cockatiels come in a range of mutations so there is a colour out there to suit anyone!
Voice
They are not at all noisy birds. Their whistle is soft with most vocalisations being a low monotonal chirup. Though as with all birds they do have the ability to squark and scream which can be a very shrill sound but this vocalisation is rarely used. Cockatiels will also be very vocal at dawn and dusk. This behaviour is common to all bird species ...they are calling to their flock (ie. YOU!) letting you know when to wake up and go to bed.
Whistling & Talking
Cockatiels are capable of an extensive vocabulary. Though their 'talking' voice is not as clear or defined at the larger parrots- being rather high pitched, electric and robotic in sound, much like baby talk; with careful listening (and training or our ears) words can be made out. Whereas on the other hand, a Cockatiel can learn to whistle tunes much better then we can, with brilliant musical tone, clarity and they always give a big ending to their tunes (aswell as a pleased look on their faces and probably a little bow- more of a nod, but a bow nonetheless...).
Lifespan
Cockatiels have a average lifespan or 15-20 years but there are plenty of birds out there, given sufficient care, who have lived up or are 30, and some can even exceed this age! So, a Cockatiel is a big commitment because he/she could possibly be around for just under a third of your lifetime! Please take this into consideration before you buy your new Cockatiel, and make sure that the bird can fit into your current lifestyle and will be able to adjust over the years to come. You must be able to provide commitment!
Which Sex?
In comparison of the sexes, hens generally can be more nervous and quiet, but much more friendly, sweet, playful, easy-going and cuddly than cocks. Whereas cock birds are overall more territorial, nippy, highly strung and assertive, but will whistle or talk.
So if you want a really cuddly, devoted, affectionate, quiet bird, try and buy a hen. Though if you want a quirky bird with a bit of attitude and a stong-will who will learn to mimic, but who will also be affectionate to you, then buy a cock.
Handreared
To be sure of a tame Cockatiel, it should be brought into the home when very young and still at an imprintable age. A handreared baby who has just been weaned is a brilliant choice. The baby Cockatiel should have been socialised well, offered a variety of new foods, and handled well, so as to allow the bird to develop trust and confidence in humans (all of which are signs of a good breeder!), all factors which will allow him/her to quickly adjust to its new surroundings, be completely relaxed and begin to bond with its new owner within matter of days.
