Data sheet cockatiel
German name:
cockatiel
Scientific name:
Nymphicus hollandicus
Origin:
Australia
Size:
up to 32 cm
age expectation:
20 years
Behave
Lining:
Grains, nuts, fruit
Behave:
bright, sociable, active in flight
Number:
at least 2 animals
Difficulty level:
medium Zefry, Cockatiel Parakeet (Nymphicus hollandicus)9, CC BY 2.0
The home of the cockatiel is Australia. Their living area is the entire land, except for the coastal and tropical areas. There they prefer to live on trees and bushes. They are the only species in the genus of cockatiels.
The little parrots are slim and have a height of up to 32 cm. The weight is 70 to 100 g. The actual appearance is gray with white elytra and an orange cheek patch. The natural and wild forms are grey. The different forms bred are lutinos, albinos, pearled, piebald, whiteheads and others. Characteristic feature is the moveable bonnet.
acquisition and maintenance
Cockatiels are sociable, alert, inquisitive, and most importantly, intelligent birds. When purchasing, plan for a large area and for the long term. In order to keep them species-appropriate, the herd animals be at least two. If they are kept alone, are bored and have limited mobility, they can develop severe behavioral disorders such as tearing out their feathers and screeching loudly. When purchasing, a life expectancy of around 20 years should be considered.
Healthy animals behave bright, curious and relaxed. The plumage has grown evenly and the colors are bright. The beak, cloaca and feet are clean, unharmed and without deposits or even parasites.
Posture requirements
The larger the cockatiel cage, the better. 200 x 60 x 150 cm (W x D x H) or an aviary can be selected. The correct shape is square, the bars run horizontally and are climbable. The material is dark-colored and free of zinc and heavy metals. The soil substrate consists of mineral-rich bird sand, which is absorbent and supports digestion.
The facility is multi-level and offers species-appropriate, rigid and moving toys, nibbling and climbing opportunities. This includes ladders, mirrors, swinging perches and rings made of natural materials such as cork, balsa wood and/or natural rubber. Fresh branches of fruit trees tempt you to nibble. Natural materials are also available for moulting, claw and beak care.
Since Nymphicus hollandicus is about escape animals is, the cage is not in the middle of the room or directly in front of the window. The right location is quiet, draught-free, dry, bright and not directly next to the heating. From the cage, the animals can do everything overlook. Last but not least, sufficient retreat possibilities and shady areas offer every resident sufficient peace and protection.
In the dark season, special UV bird lamps provide sufficient daylight. The optimal temperature is between 18 and 25 °C. A heated shelter is available for the cockatiels to keep them in an outdoor aviary all year round during the cold season.
Also the regular cleaning of the cage and furnishings is important. Fresh water, clean drinking, feeding and bathing areas and the exchange of bird sand must also be ensured.
gender differences
The different sexes are difficult to determine. Fawn and older specimens wear a yellow mask, hens do not. They have a yellow-black transverse banding on the underside of the tail and are a little paler than the cocks. Lutinos or albinos show no differences.
All cockatiels to sing during courtship. The males sing better than the females.
feed and nutrition
The right lining consists of commercially available finished food for cockatiels. That thoroughly cleaned additional food consists of grass and wild seeds, peeled oilseeds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and walnuts. The fatty oilseeds may only be fed once a week.
A third of the daily amount of food consists of fruit, leaves, vegetables, buds, kitchen herbs and wild plants. However, avocados are highly toxic to parakeets and should not be eaten!
The necessary minerals cover limestone and cuttlebone. Cuttlebones must be soaked in water and desalinated for a day or two before use. Protein once a week; for birds over 10 years only every two weeks. The diet consists of some yoghurt, low-fat quark or rearing food with dried insects. Do not give too much protein as this will lead to kidney disease!
During the repeated moult in the year the parakeets not only need a lot of rest, but also consume a lot of energy. During this time they need more good fresh food. A commercially available moulting aid or a pinch of crushed egg white from a chicken egg that has been boiled for 20 minutes twice a week will also help.
acclimatization and handling
In the initial period of acclimatization in the new home, the cockatiels must stress-free and be patiently cared for. A regulated daily routine and a ten-hour night’s rest must be observed. If necessary, the room or the outdoor aviary should be darkened.
The birds groom themselves or each other. They peck in the air with their beaks open, arguing among themselves. Serious disputes can only be observed in the rarest of cases.
The Hood the cockatiel is used for communication. If you put them up, the birds feel comfortable and signal attention. If this is directed forward or put on and the respective bird makes itself particularly slim, they show discomfort or fear. Strong squealing are also reasons for malaise as well as loneliness and boredom. As a rule, the problems can be solved by keeping them appropriate to the species.
If a bird pinches the keeper, it should simply be left alone and allowed to relax. With a lot of patience and treats he will soon become more trusting. If it makes a depressed and listless impression, the colors of the plumage appear dull or it scratches itself frequently, it should be taken to an ornithological veterinarian.
Cockatiels not only get along well with other birds, but also with other birds (e.g. budgerigars, canaries or finches) and small animals socialize. The prerequisites are a large aviary and enough retreats for the residents.