Cockatiel

Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus

Origin: Australia

The Cockatiel is easy to house, feed and breed. It is also a very gentle bird and maybe kept with other compatible species including small finches. While breeding, however, it should have its own accommodation, preferably with a large wooden nest box hung in a quiet corner of the flight. The Cockatiel needs a long flight since it is a strong flyer and needs ample space to exercise its wings.

Description:

Size: 33 cm (13 in)

COCK:

Several different color forms exist. Upperparts: dark grey. Under surfaces: light grey and yellowish bluff. Front of head and crest, cheeks and throat: bright yellow. Ear coverts: orange. A striking white band runs down the centre of the wings. Beak and legs: dark grey.

HEN:

Similar, but underside of tail is barred with yellow and grey. The yellow on the face is duller than on the cock.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed, mixed millets and a little sunflower and hemp seed form the basic diet. Fresh green food and fruit such as apple and pear should be provided. Plentiful supplies of grit and cuttlefish bone are also essential.

Cockatiel Breeding:

The Cockatiel is a prolific breeder and goes to nest three times in a season. Six or more eggs may be laid in one clutch. Breeding pairs should be fed on soaked seeds and bread and milk to produce top quality chicks. Both parents share the incubation of the eggs which takes from19 to 21 days. The young fledge between four and five weeks.

Cockatiels are secondly only to budgerigars as popular pet birds. The cockatiels are loving creatures that are very active and have the ability to mimic human speech. The bird is exceptionally jolly in nature and rather becomes depressed when it is kept alone in a cage. It likes to interact with their owners out side their cage and is able to develop good bonding as well.

Cockatiels are found in large numbers in Australia. The genetically the bird specie belongs to the group of intelligent parrots. The variance of colors and their size attracts children. Almost 35% of the bird owners of America have cockatiel as their pet. In most cases cockatiels are bought as pets by the patents to entertain their children. Though the personality and the charm of the bird are fascinating for children but as a parent you must make sure of supervising your child while he or she is up to interacting with the bird. The following are some steps that you may take up in order to ensure safety of your child when he or she is around the cage or perch of the bird.

• Instruct your child to approach the cage quietly as birds do not like to be surprised.
• Teach you child not to yell and shout at the bird.
• Let not your child shake or hit the cage.
• You child must not also poke the bird with finger, stick or a pencil.