Birds rank as one of the most popular pets favored by many animal lovers. Are you one of those who get captivated by these feathered beings as they cutely chirp and flap their wings? If you’re planning to adopt one, you’d probably get confused as to which breed of bird you would choose. This article might help you with your dilemma since this describes one of the most loved companion birds: cockatiels.
A cockatiel is a gray, Australian parrot that is discovered in 1770 and became popular as a pet during the 1900s. It is the smallest specie of the cockatoo family, with an adult size of 12 to 13 inches. In Australia, their native land, cockatiels are called quarrions.
Are cockatiel birds good pets? Well, that’s a sure yes. Read on to know the reasons why you should consider a dashing, little cockatiel as your pet and home companion.
Reasons To Have A Cockatiel As Your Pet
1. Quietly Quirky
If you’re residing in an apartment, a cockatiel is a good pet choice. It is usually quiet, so you won’t be disturbing your neighbors. They have a lower tendency to make noise as they rarely screech, unlike parrots, their close relatives. Instead, they just either chirp or whistle. They’re capable of talking when trained, but they prefer whistling more. Female cockatiels are generally more silent than males. Male cockatiels, however, are better in mimicking speech. Their ability to mimic brings their quirky side. They can imitate your whistles, the calls of other birds, and even the sound of a ringing telephone.
2. Friendly Little Fella
Size preference is relative, but if you’re someone who likes smaller animals as pets, then cockatiel is just the right bird companion for you. It won’t be a hassle carrying an about 90-gram (average for adults) birdlife on your shoulder. Cockatiels have a calm temperament, which is an advantageous trait when introducing them to friends and even strangers. Because of their unintimidating size, kids can even enjoy touching their soft feathers, given that they know how to gently pet a bird. Their size, along with their docile behavior, makes them a perfect travel buddy.
3. Soaring Smartness
Cockatiels don’t just imitate sounds; they can also do tricks! You can find many videos of cockatiels singing, dancing, and following their trainer’s commands, and they look adorable. They can recognize their owner’s voice, and they respond to it right away. Some of the tricks they can do are turning around, shaking hands, and walking on a tightrope. Of course, like any other pets, they enjoy performing with rewards. So if you plan on training your buddy, you must accompany every success with a prize. Offering them a treat after a commendable behavior will make them repeat the same one until it becomes a habit. Ensure that your cockatiel is comfortable with everything. Let it rest when it’s tired with the training, and just continue later when it’s in the condition.
4. Easy to Tame
The most important thing to nourish your pet’s relationship with you is to get both its heart and trust. This is true to all animals, including the silent cockatiels. Taming cockatiels is easy, and they remain tamed once they start to be. Limiting their exposure to daylight can help in maintaining their gentle disposition. Frequent talking and slow approach is the recommended way to befriend them. Try getting it used to your hand’s presence, but don’t hold your hand above it because it might scare it away.
Also, you can determine its mood through the form of its crest feathers. The crest feathers straighten up when your cockatiel is curious or alarmed. Flattened crest feathers denote that it is in its defensive mode or that it is stressed. These indications help you in assessing how you’re pet is feeling.
5. Clingy-Cuddly
Cockatiels like to be touched. They will take delight if you rub against the grain of the feathers behind their crest. They also love a soft massage along their cheeks. They are social birds, and so they tend to interact often with their owners. Although they are mainly affectionate, they also enjoy watching you do your thing while they play near you. If you are a busy person, yet you still love to have cockatiels as pets, it is advisable to have two of the same kind. The pair will bond together and make good company for each other. This is a convenient way to prevent your pet from getting lonely.
6. More Flying Moments
The average life expectancy of cockatiels is 10 to 14 years old. But with proper care and nutrition, your cockatiel can live for 20 years or even more. The reported oldest living cockatiel even reached the age of thirty. When you get attached to your pet, you’ll surely want it to live longer so you could share more moments with it. Cockatiels relatively live long, and that characteristic invites people who love to have a long-time feathery companion.
To witness more flying moments with your buddy, ensure that it is given a nutritionally balanced diet. Female cockatiels need more calcium, as they are prone to experience chronic egg-laying, which is a condition that diminishes the vital minerals and calcium in their body. Giving your pet a variety of food, ranging from seeds to fruits and vegetables, will supplement its deficiencies and reduce the risk of malnutrition.
7. Lovable and Lovely
Cockatiels are beautiful inside and out. These affectionate creatures look charming with its soft feathers, small dark eyes, and long tail. The bright orange patches on their cheeks add to their undeniable cuteness. The typical cockatiels have grey and white body feathers with a yellow head. The three mentioned colors interchange to different combinations due to mutation. You’ll get attracted to them not just by their bright-colored feathers, but also by their quirky behavior and lovable traits.
Raising a pet takes a lot of effort, but it also gives a tenfold of fun. Any animal, whether it is a furry or feathery one, will reciprocate as much affection as it was treated with. A good pet is a reflection of a responsible and loving owner. Therefore, hold your pet dear to your heart.
