COCKATIEL VS COCKATOO FREE

COCKATIEL VS COCKATOO FREE

Ask if the pet store or breeder has a health guarantee and/or includes a free visit to a veterinarian for a health checkup.Ĭockatiels are in their own genus ( Nymphicus hollandicus) and are related to cockatoos. Signs of a healthy bird include: alertness, clean and vibrant feathers, bright eyes and nares that are clean and free of runny discharge. If you are adopting a pet bird from an bird rescue or adoption organization or an individual owners, get a thorough rundown of the bird’s history: Why is the bird being given up for adoption? Does the bird have any behavioral issues or phobias? How does the bird prefer to interact does it enjoy being petted? What type of food does the bird eat does it have favorite treats? Has the bird been to a veterinarian? If you are buying a young bird, make sure it is fully feathered and fully weaned (does not need to be syringe fed or parent fed). Pet cockatiels are available in large pet stores, avian-specific retail stores, direct from a bird breeder or through a bird rescue/adoption organization. The Lafeber Company offers many diets, including, Premium Daily Diet Pellets and Classic Nutri-Berries that are specially formulated to meet your cockatiel’s dietary needs. A healthy, low-fat diet with the right balance of vitamin, minerals and amino acids can go a long way in preventing disease in your cockatiel. An all-seed diet is also high in fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease. Since cockatiels are often fed a mostly seed diet, many suffer from malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. (A hen does not need a male cockatiel present in order to produce an egg it will just be an infertile egg.) Female cockatiels, therefore, often need extra-calcium in their diet, such as a calcium-fortified base diet or a supplement like cuttlebone. Cockatiels molt (shed old feathers and begin growing new ones) a couple times a year.Ī main health concern for female cockatiels is chronic egg-laying, which can deplete her body of vital minerals and calcium, as well as egg binding, in which the hen is unable to pass an egg. Cockatiels are excellent fliers and need more frequent wing clipping than other parrot species because they are capable of flying not long after having their feathers trimmed. If the sneezing is persistent and/or the discharge is not a clear color, contact your avian veterinarian. It is normal for a cockatiel to sneeze a few times a day to clear out dust or dander from its nares, which might be accompanied by a clear discharge. Cockatiels can be taught to whistle back to you on cue but generally aren’t known for their trained tricks. A female cockatiel might seek out a dark, enclosed area to nest in, such the corner of a cabinet or behind furniture (even if there is no male cockatiel present), so keep these areas off limits. A cockatiel might be inclined to fly down from its cage or playgym onto the floor, so be extra cautious whenever your bird is out of the cage so you don’t step on it and that other pets, such as cats or dogs, cannot get to it. Male cockatiels often seek out mirrors and other reflective items to whistle to. Cockatiels also like toys with hard-plastic elements, such as beads to fiddle with. Toys designed to be destroyed by small beaks are perfect for cockatiels and include pieces of paper, cardboard of soft wood or non-toxic rawhide to chew up.

A relaxed cockatiel will have slightly held back crest feathers, as well as fluffed cheek feathers and you might also hear it contentedly grinding its beak. A defensive cockatiel will hold its crest feathers flattened close its head, and it might be especially stressed if it also hisses.

Straight-up crest feathers can mean the bird is startled or highly curious. The position of a cockatiel’s crest feathers can tell you its mood.

Cockatiel vs cockatoo