Cockatiels Care & Feeding cockatiel needs a cage spacious enough to accommodate multiple perches, toys, food bowls and have plenty of room to flap its wings without hitting them against anything. A cage with a large door front is ideal because it makes it easier to return a cockatiel to its cage, especially since cockatiels can be flighty birds. Cockatiels are natural ground foragers and will forage on the bottom of the cage if given the opportunity; cover the cage floor with newspaper and sprinkle crumbled treats or millet sprinkle seed for your cockatiel to find. Cockatiels are social birds and thrive when given opportunities to interact with you, whether it is gently petting their cheek feathers, being talked to or simply being in the same room as you.

A healthy cockatiel diet includes commercially balanced diets, such as Lafeber Premium Daily Diet Pellets, as well as other food, fresh vegetables and some seed. A well-cared-for cockatiel can live for more than 20 years.

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Charismatic Cockatiels

Cockatiels are a smaller bird that comes from Australia. These unique birds are actually small parrots, but generally aren’t quite as boisterous as some of their larger parrot cousins. While they still are vocal, cockatiels are much more likely to whistle than they are to screech. Cockatiels, especially males, are known to whistle lots of different melodies and have been known to learn new “songs” from the radio, tv, or even an original song you hum just for them! . While some cockatiels can learn to “speak,” it is more common for them to learn different songs to whistle and may even start mimicking songs they hear a lot like tv theme songs or music from your favorite playlist.

Cockatiels species profile

Size: Cockatiels grow up to 12″ (15cm-18 cm) from head to end of tail.

Lifespan: On average, cockatiels live 15-20yrs

Temperament: Cockatiels are social birds that can live happily as a single bird or with others. Individual birds will sometimes choose a “favorite” person or people, but generally do well with families. Interactive, but not as cuddly as some other birds, they might prefer to hang out on top of your head or be within arm’s reach, as opposed to perching on shoulders or on your hand for very long.

Behavior: Cockatiels are social birds and consider their humans as part of their flock. They need daily interaction with their humans, and ideally like to be in a “family” area where they can be part of the flock. They can be vocal and make a variety of different noises, ranging from whistling and chirping when happy, to hissing and screeching when upset. Despite not being super snuggly, cockatiels usually like gentle head/neck scratches from people they trust but may be hesitant of strangers.

Setting up your Cockatiel habitat!

Cockatiels need a spacious, enriching, and low-stress enclosure that supports their social nature and desire to climb, play, and observe.

Enclosure size and placement

Minimum size: 20” x 20” x 30”
Recommended size: 27” x 24” x 30” or larger
If you’re housing more than one bird, increase the enclosure size accordingly
Place the cage at or below eye level, away from:
Kitchens and cooking fumes (especially non-stick cookware)
Smoke, strong odors, and drafts
Direct sunlight and open windows
Cover the cage at night to help your bird feel secure

Enrichment and accessories

Provide at least three toys to encourage activity and mental stimulation
Rotate toys regularly to keep your bird engaged
Use puzzles, chewables, and foraging items to support natural behaviors
Place a cuttlebone in the enclosure to support beak and bone health
Include at least two perches of varying thickness and height to support foot health
Add a ladder perch for extra climbing opportunities
Avoid placing perches directly above food or water bowls to prevent contamination
Add a T-stand or playpen so your bird can safely play outside the cage (indoors only)
Use a liner at the bottom of the habitat and replace as needed to maintain cleanliness. Cage should be spot cleaned daily, and fully cleaned weekly.

Bathing and water

Offer a birdbath or shallow dish for splashing and bathing 2-3 times a week.
Alternatively, if your bird prefers showers to baths, gently mist your cockatiel with warm water 2-3 times a week
Provide clean, fresh water for drinking in a bowl or bird water bottle at all times

Cockatiel Care and Feeding

Pellet-seed blend: This is your bird’s primary source of food and nutrition. Remove old food and refill with fresh food daily. Keep the bowl about ¾ full so your bird can eat whenever they’re hungry.

Cockatiels Care & Feeding