Cockatiels, although not exactly parrots, are the smallest members of the cockatoo family.They are the absolutely adorable little birds who belong to the genus Nymphicus. Cockatiels are endemic to Australia.The charming birds began to be bred in Australia in the 1850s. Now, due to continued mutations and hybrids, the bird’s normal color of a gray body with white on the wings and orange patches on the cheeks is a bit hard to come by. Inter-breeding, which is the breeding amongst the different types, has increased the variations of a cockatiel bird. The whiteface is the only type of cockatiel that doesn’t have the signature mark of cockatiels; the orange patch on the cheek.The cockatiel is a small bird that is affectionate and lovable, just like a parrot. This bird needs a very small space to stay and to fly. They are very quiet birds and are better known for their whistling ability than for talking. Moreover, they are intelligent, curious, and easily fascinated with simple toys. Cockatiels love to explore and readily get adapted to their surroundings. They are very social, so they need regular interaction with other people, or other birds, in order to satisfy their sociable nature, be it in the wild or while it is being kept inside a cage.If you enjoy reading about cockatiels, we think you’ll like discovering the can cockatiels talk and also cockatoo vs cockatiel, both here on Kidadl.How many years do cockatiels live as a pet?Cockatiels are incredibly popular pet birds. This bird is easy to tame and can even talk and sing. The male cockatiels are more vocal and social compared to female cockatiels, both in the wild and in homes.In the wild, the average lifespan of a cockatiel is around 10-14 years but careful human supervision can extend their years of survival by over a whole decade. Sunshine, a 36-year-old Guinness World Record holder cockatiel, proved that if the owners take good care, the lifespan of a cockatiel can be prolonged to almost thrice its normal life expectancy.How long does a cockatiel live in captivity?A lot of life-threatening situations crop up in the wild. Hence, many young cockatiel chicks aren’t even able to reach adulthood. In captivity, however, the cockatiel is much more secure and leads a comparatively easy life and, as an obvious result of these factors, lives longer. A cockatiel lifespan at home is around 20-25 years. The life expectancy of cockatiel life can increase with suitable conditions.Diet: Like humans, a cockatiel also needs a balanced, healthy diet. A cockatiel also needs food and water to survive. These birds have a varied diet which often differs based on countries and even regions if they’re in the wild. At home in Australia, the diet of the cockatiel bird would be very healthy and would include grains, sunflower seeds, fresh fruits like apples, mangos, papayas, fresh vegetables like carrots, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, sprouts, and even meat in small amounts. While wild cockatiels eat a lot of seeds and fruits, they don’t have many food options to choose from. Giving your pet cockatiel a diet with a wide range of foods in it, such as seeds, pelleted food, fruits, and vegetables, can deliver the necessary nutrients it needs for a healthy life. A fixed amount of meat is also good for your pet cockatiel to eat since that can provide proteins. Moreover, it is best to clean its cage at least once a day when giving it food and water.Cockatiels are susceptible to some health problems, similar to those common in humans who eat too much food or who have a badly balanced diet. Overfeeding pet cockatiels is easy so the owners need to be meticulous when feeding these types of parrots. Obesity might prove intensely destructive or even fatal. Exercise and monitoring food intake are the best ways to prevent the cockatiel bird from dying from such a cause.Good Care: Every creature needs good care to live a good life. Cockatiels are no exceptions to this but this bird might need some extra attention. Stress and sadness over a long time are often fatal for a cockatiel and can affect a cockatiel’s lifespan.Regular Check-ups: As you might have already realized, cockatiels are exceptionally fragile birds. These pet birds are masters at concealing their illnesses. Be meticulous with the health of your pet and take this little bird to the vet on a regular basis.Why do cockatiels die suddenly?Cockatiels live a very delicate life but with suitable conditions can live a long life. Wild cockatiels need meticulous care and exercise to live well. It is very common to see or hear of a cockatiel dying out of nowhere, without any complications. This is because a cockatiel bird is very much susceptible to disease. Even some fruit seeds are harmful to a cockatiel because they contain cyanide. Incense, air fresheners, scented candles, and avocados are harmful to the cockatiel and a likely cause for their sudden death.Chronic loneliness, fatty livers, respiratory issues, abnormal droppings, weight loss, discharge from beaks, nostrils, and eyes, swelling of eyes, molting, unusual feathers, bleeding and body lumps are very common among cockatiels.Cockatiels hide their diseases or injuries really well, but any type of accidental injury can lead to their death. A thorough understanding of the cockatiel’s habits on the owner’s part is very necessary in this case. Slight behavioral changes, positional changes, or a swelled-up appearance may be an indicator of your bird’s disease and sudden demise. Regular consultation with the vet is very important for the little bird living in the cage all day.How can you tell the age of a healthy cockatiel?Cockatiels are beautiful birds with colorful feathers. Throughout the lifetime of any bird, feathers play a huge role in indicating its age and sex. For instance, male cockatiels (cocks) have richer, more vibrant coloring than female cockatiels (hens). This is an important part of the breeding process as the beautiful feathers help to attract the females for mating. Female cockatiels are not able to give birth by themselves. Sometimes, the female cockatiel will lay eggs without mating with a male cockatiel. These are unfertilized eggs and would be unable to hatch a chick. The following are some indicators to determine the age of a healthy cockatiel:Newborn: Newborn chicks are around 1 in (2.54 cm) in size. They are covered in white and yellow color. In two weeks they grow to be four to five times their size at birth.After One Month: When it is a little over a month old, a cockatiel’s feathers have fully unfolded. At around six weeks old, cockatiel chicks begin flapping their wings vigorously, as they learn to fly.One Year Old: At this stage, the birds have a dull shade of feathers. Their tails are also somewhat shorter. Males have yellow faces without stripes on the feathers of the tail while females have a duller color and shorter tail.Adult: After it is over a year old, a cockatiel’s color does not change. This makes it difficult to judge its exact age without depending on other factors.Older Adult: Though an older adult cockatiel’s feathers do not necessarily change color, if it isn’t taken care of meticulously, its rich feathers may start losing their vibrance. Another indication of its age might be its worn-out beak and feet, which get a bit scraped. Loss of energy is also a significant pointer.The crest on a cockatiel reveals its mood sometimes. When a cockatiel is startled or excited, its crest is observed to be vertical. A flattened crest often signifies that it’s angry. Cockatiels are generally 11.8-13 in (30-33 cm), the smallest of the cockatoo family. Cockatiels make very good pets and they’re extremely manageable, their only downside is their habit of popping literally every 15 mins.If you have a happy cockatiel at home, then it most probably means that your companion parrot will live a long life!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for cockatiel lifespan, then why not take a look at budgie lifespan or cockatiel facts?
Cockatiels, although not exactly parrots, are the smallest members of the cockatoo family.
