Cockatiels make excellent pets. They occupy the second place in the ranking of the most popular domestic birds (and for a lot of good reasons!). They can live up to fifteen years, are extremely loving and have a lot of personality. Cockatiel are social animals and love to perch on their owners' toes or shoulders; they are easily trained and can even learn to "speak". Before you buy a cockatiel, find the one that's right for you and make sure you're ready to host it in what will be its new home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare to Purchase
Step 1. Get informed
Maintaining a cockatiel is a big responsibility; if we want to buy one, it is important to be prepared for what lies ahead: it will be necessary to provide it with food and water every day and to clean its cage frequently. In addition, cockatiels are social animals, in order to stay healthy and happy they need to be kept in exercise and to receive a lot of attention from the owner. Make sure you have enough time to devote to your cockatiels and that your family members agree on purchasing such an animal.
If caring for a cockatiel seems too demanding, opt for a canary or a pair of finches, which are excellent pets and require less care than a cockatiel
Step 2. Consider the expenses
The price of a cockatiel is around 75-90 euros; it's not much, but to this you have to add the cost of the cage, food and all the necessary accessories, easily spending up to 300 euros. Know that your cockatiel will need food and games and to undergo at least one veterinary visit every year (indicatively, the cost to maintain a cockatiel is around 90 euros a year).
Step 3. Buy cage and equipment
Cockatiel need a lot of space to move around, so it's best to buy a cage as large as possible for them (the minimum size for a single cockatiel is 60x60x60cm). Make sure the distance between the bars is no more than 1.5 cm. The cage should have at least three perches, to give the cockatiel a choice of where to perch. In addition, the bird will need:
- saucers for food and water;
- cockatiel food;
- a light on during the night (some cockatiel are afraid of the dark, and may have panic attacks during the night);
- a tray for birds;
- toys.
Step 4. Adopt a bird at a bird shelter
Sometimes in these rescue centers it is possible to find, ready for adoption, sweet and loving specimens, which their former owners are no longer able to maintain. The joy of caring for an adopted pet will be even greater, considering you have also saved their life.
Bird shelters can be found all over the world
Step 5. Contact a reputable pet shop or an experienced breeder
Ask other cockatiel owners or your trusted veterinarian for information; if there is an ornithological association in your city, you can contact them. Make sure the vendor offers pet health insurance, and remember that dogs that have been carefully bred from birth are more sociable than those raised just to be put up for sale in a store.
Ask all possible questions to the seller: ask him about the animal and how it was raised; if he is not able to respond promptly, contact someone else
Method 2 of 3: Choose the Right Specimen
Step 1. Before purchasing, ask yourself what your expectations are
If you want a show bird, with which you are not interested in interacting, base your choice exclusively on the appearance of the animal; if, on the other hand, you want a life partner, consider the character and friendliness of the specimen.
- If you want a show animal, choose a healthy one with a very nice plumage.
- If you want a life partner, choose a curious specimen, singing, willing to physical contact and with a great desire to play.
- Extremely shy individuals can be made more sociable, but some will never get used to the company of man; if you have a particularly grumpy cockatiel, it will be difficult to make her warm and sociable.
Step 2. Make sure the specimen is healthy
Healthy cockatiels have clear and bright eyes and a clean beak, without traces of secretions; make sure that the beak is well polished, that it closes properly and that the animal has not lost any feathers or some toes.
Do not buy a specimen with damaged, dirty or matted feathers - these are all signs of disease
Step 3. Ask for the age of the bird
The ideal is to choose a young and completely weaned specimen, raised by humans from birth and fed by hand. If you opt for an adult specimen, consider the color of the beak: generally, the darker it is, the older the animal is.
Determining the sex of a cockatiel is quite complicated, in some cases it is even necessary to resort to DNA testing. Fortunately, both males and females make excellent companions
Method 3 of 3: Bring the Cockatiel Home
Step 1. Let your cockatiel get used to its new habitat
Moving from one home to another can be stressful for a cockatiel, as it needs time and rest to adjust. Before interacting with her, allow two or three days to pass; try to keep children and pets away from the cage; accustom the animal to your presence by speaking to it softly.
Remember that cockatiels are particularly social animals; when you are out of the house, leave the television or radio on so that the pet has some company
Step 2. Start training
Take some time to study the best way to train your cockatiel. To start, teach her to be close to you when she is out of the cage. Gently remove the cockatiel from the cage and take it to a small room with only one exit, such as the bathroom or a particularly large closet; close the door so the bird can't escape, then sit next to him and talk to him from time to time so that he gets used to your presence. Another simple exercise you can teach him is to get on your fingers.
Training a cockatiel can take time, be patient and you will have a friendly and sociable companion by your side
Step 3. Get your cockatiel used to bathing
Cockatiels tend to get dirty and need to be washed quite often. Fill a plant sprayer with clean, slightly warm water, then accustom the cockatiel to contact with the water by giving it a couple of sprays from time to time. It won't take long for the bird to get used to this type of shower and even spread its wings to be thoroughly sprayed, and then shake off the excess water.
- Do not bathe the cockatiel when it is very cold or at night.
- Cockatiels love to bathe in a saucepan or play in a tub filled with 1.5cm of warm water.
