Wonderful cockatiels
Cockatiel family
The cockatiel is known by its common name, the cockatoo. This bird is a type of parrot and belongs to the Nymphicinae family, where it is considered the only species in the genus Nymphicus hollandicus.
Physical characteristics of cockatiels
The cockatiel is a small, intelligent bird, with a variety of attractive colors that make it a popular choice for home pets. It ranges in length from 30 to 33 centimeters and weighs between 55 and over 100 grams.
This bird has a gray body and a bright yellow face adorned with an orange mole. Males are more vibrantly colored than females, which have stripes on the underside of their tails. There are also morphological differences between different species of cockatiels.
Lutino Cockatiel
His name is Lutino, and he is characterized by his pure white body, his face which appears yellow, and his prominent red eyes.
spotted cockatiel
It is known in English as pied, and is characterized by its yellow or lead color.
Pearl Cockatiel
It is distinguished by its variety of colors, and the luster of its feathers, similar to the luster of pearls.
Isabel Cockatiel
It has beautiful grey feathers mixed with brown.
silver cockatiel
It has gray feathers and brilliant, red eyes.
Behavioral characteristics of the cockatiel
Cockatiels are distinguished from other birds by their intelligence, sociability, and playful spirit, in addition to their intense curiosity about their surroundings. They do not like to be alone, preferring to live in the company of their females, where they find intimacy, intimacy, and fun.
There are also many behaviors that cockatiels perform in their daily lives, such as:
Cockatiel personal hygiene
Cockatiels take care of their hygiene and appearance by combing their heads with their beaks, sometimes enlisting the help of their partner. This social behavior is characterized by their ability to groom each other in places that are difficult to reach with their beaks.
Their strong relationship with humans
Cockatiels form a strong bond with the humans who care for them and will follow them everywhere they go.
hitting things with the beak
Cockatiels try to hit things around them with their beaks in order to attract people's attention because cockatiels love to be the center of attention.
throwing things
Cockatiels are known to collect and throw objects when they feel bored in their cage. This helps them vent and create a fun atmosphere.
Mating in cockatiels
During the mating season, the male cockatiel seeks to attract the female's attention by displaying eye-catching behaviors, such as dancing and singing. When he realizes that the female is impressed by his displays, he immediately begins building a nest in preparation for mating.
Why does a cockatiel raise its leg?
The cockatiel raises its leg to scratch its feathers, and then stands on one leg to maintain its body temperature.
Hunger in cockatiels
The cockatiel bobs its head up and down and makes a loud noise, to let you know and alert you that it needs food because by doing so it feels hungry.
Do cockatiels like to play?
Cockatiels are playful birds that love to play and have fun. They don't like to stay still, and if they don't find anything to play with, they start playing with water and creating a fun atmosphere.
Cockatiel food
Cockatiels rely on commercial birdseed (known as Lafeber) for their diet, along with seasonal food and some vegetables and fruits such as berries, melons, and kiwi. A basic diet should consist of 75% commercial pellets and 25% seeds.
Reproduction in cockatiels, gestation period and duration
Cockatiel breeding depends on compatibility and bonding between the male and female, which occurs when both reach maturity enough to mate. The male should be around 18 months old, and the female at least two years old. Ensure both are mature enough to avoid conflict when placed together.
Pregnancy stage
These birds reproduce by laying eggs, and mating is ideal during the period extending from August to mid-September.
The female cockatiel lays her eggs within about three weeks, typically 4 to 6. The female then sits on the eggs for about 20 days until they hatch, though this period can vary by a day or two.
Cockatiel sounds
Cockatiels make several sounds, each of which expresses a specific purpose, as follows:
The sound of the scream
Cockatiels make their cries when they feel sad, lonely, upset, or afraid, and they also do so to warn other birds of the approach of a predator. This behavior is observed in both males and females.
whistle sound
The whistle, sometimes called a "singing," is made by cockatiels when they are feeling affectionate, searching for a mate, or expressing their admiration. It's worth noting that this sound is exclusive to males.
chirping sound
Cockatiels chirp when they are happy or content, and this sound is shared by both males and females, as they chirp together and enjoy it.
hissing sound
This sound is made when the bird feels angry or threatened, and this behavior is observed in both sexes.
The mimic sound
Cockatiels often seek to imitate the human voice, and males are more capable of mimicking and imitating sounds than females.
Places where cockatiels are found in the world
Australia is the original home of the cockatiel and its most widespread habitat, from where it is exported to many countries around the world to be sold as pets. It can also be found on the island of Tasmania.
Cockatiel price
The price of a cockatiel is determined by several factors, such as quality, breed, color, age, and location of purchase. The average price varies widely, with gray cockatiels being less expensive than albino cockatiels, which are among the more expensive varieties.
Some popular types of cockatiels
There are about eighteen different species of cockatiels, which are distinguished by their colors and ornamentation. Some of the most famous species are mentioned below:
Blue-grey cockatiel
Known in English as the pied, it is very similar to the common gray cockatiel, and is distinguished by the presence of white mottled spots in its feathers, making it unique in its kind. In addition, it has yellow feathers on top of its head and orange spots on its cheeks.
Albino Cockatiel
Known as the "albino," it is characterized by circular orange patches on its cheeks, with a few species having white faces. It also closely resembles the Latino cockatiel.
Latino Cockatiel
The Lutino cockatiel is an attractive and eye-catching bird due to its stunning colors. Its body is snow-white, its eyes are red, its wings are light yellow, and its face is yellow.
Silver Cockatiel
The silver cockatiel is known for its stunning beauty and possesses a genetic mutation that gives it a silvery color instead of the usual gray. It features white markings on its wings and tail, as well as orange or yellow highlights on its face and the top of its head.
Yellow-faced Cockatiel
It closely resembles the common gray cockatiel, with a gray or white body color. This bird has yellow patches on its face instead of orange, and yellow feathers cover the top of its head.
White-faced Cockatiel
It has a gray or white body, with no yellow or orange coloration on its face. Males have either gray or white heads, while females have a permanently gray face.
Common Grey Cockatiel
The most familiar of all the species is the common grey cockatiel, a wild bird native to Australia. Males of this species have uniform plumage and bright yellow faces, while females have gray faces.
Finally, some important tips on raising cockatiels.
Raising and caring for cockatiels requires special attention. Here are the most important tips for caring for them:
Take your cockatiel out of its cage for at least an hour a day to play with it.
Keep his mood happy by providing him with some toys in his cage.
Clean your cockatiel two to three times a week with warm water.
Always keep the cage clean of droppings.
Purchase a large cage because cockatiels love to play and move around. Ideally, the cage should be 66 x 51 cm, with approximately 2 cm between the bars to prevent it from getting its head stuck when it's removed from the cage.