Cockatiels love to interact with their owners and enjoy being petted. They also enjoy the sound of their whistles and can even learn to talk. They like to play with toys and need regular exercise to prevent becoming perch potatoes. They should be allowed out of their cages daily on an appropriately sized bird stand for exercise and socialization.
They Are Easy To Care For
Cockatiels are relatively easy to care for. They love attention, and they will eat almost anything you give them (though make sure to avoid chocolate or salt, which are harmful). In the wild, cockatiels forage for their food on the ground, but you can mimic this behavior by placing some seeds in your bird’s cage and giving them treats like mashed bananas. In addition to various foods, cockatiels need plenty of water and sunshine.
They will also benefit from regular interaction, including petting and sitting on your shoulder. You can even teach your cockatiel to whistle, though it will take time and patience. If you need more time to decide whether or not you’re ready for a cockatiel, ask yourself if you can commit to spending several hours per day caring for one. If not, you should consider a more low-maintenance pet, like a cat or dog.
Getting a pair of cockatiels is recommended, as they enjoy each other’s company and can prevent loneliness and self-harm. If you can’t spend time with them daily, a cockatiel isn’t the right pet for you. Remember that cockatiels are naturally messy and release powdery dust from their feathers as they groom themselves, so frequent cleaning is necessary. Many cockatiel cages come with a removable bottom tray to simplify this task. Aspiring bird enthusiasts often peruse local pet shops or online platforms, eagerly searching for the perfect companion, perhaps a vibrant and charming cockatiel for sale to bring joy and melody into their homes.
They Are Easy To Train
Cockatiels are pretty, intelligent birds that can learn a lot of practical and fun tricks. They are highly affectionate if they become comfortable with you. They will even tell you things like if they are hungry, angry, happy, or sad. This makes them easy to train and a great companion. When training your cockatiel, remember they respond best to a consistent approach and repetition. Also, use a calm and inviting voice and never shout or strike at the bird. Yelling and striking will only make them fear you, and they may start biting to communicate their feelings. Start by giving your cockatiel treats from your hand inside their cage until they are comfortable with it. Once they are, you can try to get them to step onto your finger. You can do this by touching their perch and letting them step onto it until they are comfortable. You can then move your hand out of their cage and give them a treat to encourage them to continue to jump onto it. Once your cockatiel is accustomed to you holding your hand, you can begin training it to turn around on command. Place it on the perch and hold your finger below its beak to do this. Say the command you are training it to do while guiding it with your thumb and gently pushing against its lower chest with your finger.
They Are Fun To Watch
Cockatiels are playful and entertaining to watch. They love to dance and sing with the television or radio, chirping their internal tunes. They are also excellent whistlers and mimickers, repeating sounds from the house, including alarm clocks, phones, and wild birds outside. Male cockatiels, in particular, are bolder at performing to attract a mate and have more extensive vocalizations than female cockatiels. If you have a male cockatiel, providing him with a cage large enough to fly around to exercise his wings is a good idea. He must also be allowed out of his cage daily on an appropriately sized bird stand for socialization and exercise. It’s best to keep younger children away from cockatiels because they can be easily startled. For a fun activity that both you and your cockatiel will enjoy, teach him to jump through a hoop. Begin by letting him practice with the hoop on the ground and then slowly increase the height of the hoop in each training session. It will take him weeks to hop through the hoop while flying, but once he can, shower him with treats and plenty of praise each time. It’s a great way to bond with him while teaching him some tricks and helping him to stay mentally healthy.
They Are Highly Vocal
Cockatiels are highly vocal birds and will make many chirps, whistles, and other sounds in response to their owner. They are good mimics who can imitate human speech and other sounds, which helps them bond with their humans. Their noises can range from happiness and excitement to fear and annoyance, so it’s essential to understand the meaning behind each sound to know what to expect. One of the most common cockatiel sounds is beak grinding, which can be heard as a rough noise with the beak rubbed against its face. This usually occurs when a cockatiel is petted or just before sleep. This noise is meant to soothe the bird, typically accompanied by fluffing up body feathers and fanning facial feathers over the mouth. Hissing is another common cockatiel noise, and it’s used when the bird feels threatened or scared. It’s best not to frighten your cockatiel when this happens, as it could lead to aggression and territorial behavior. If you hear your cockatiel constantly calling or whistling when you’re not in the room, it’s a sign that the bird is lonely and needs company. Please spend some time with your cockatiel and give it lots of attention to feel secure in its home. You can also try feeding your cockatiel a high-quality diet like Exact, fortified with essential nutrients to keep the bird healthy and happy.