🦜 Cockatiel Care Sheet 

Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are gentle, social, and intelligent birds—perfect for first-time bird owners and families. Native to Australia, they’ve become one of the most popular pet birds worldwide thanks to their charming whistles, expressive crests, and loving personalities.

✅ Quick Facts

• Lifespan: 15–25 years with proper care

• Size: Around 30–33 cm

• Temperament: Friendly, social, and affectionate

• Vocal ability: Can whistle tunes and mimic sounds (some may talk!)

• Ideal for: Individuals or families with time to interact daily

🏡 Housing & Environment

Cage Size

• Minimum: 75cm (L) x 50cm (W) x 75cm (H)

• Bigger is better, especially if your bird is indoors full-time

• Bar spacing: no more than 2 cm

Cage Setup

• Natural wood perches of varying sizes

• Toys: swings, bells, foraging puzzles (rotate weekly to prevent boredom)

• Food & water dishes (clean daily)

• Cuttlebone or mineral block

• Cage cover or dark area for sleep

Location

• Indoors in a draft-free, quiet, and well-lit area

• Away from kitchens and chemical smells

• They love being part of the action but also need quiet time to rest

🥗 Feeding Your Cockatiel

Base Diet

• High-quality cockatiel seed mix or pellets (pellets are more balanced)

Fresh Foods (offered daily):

✔ Leafy greens (spinach, silverbeet, kale)
✔ Carrots, peas, corn, broccoli
✔ Apples, bananas, berries (remove seeds)
❌ Avoid: Avocado, onion, garlic, chocolate, caffeine

Fresh Water:

• Provide clean, fresh water daily

• Rinse dishes with hot water to avoid bacteria build-up

Supplements:

• Cuttlebone for calcium

• Grit is optional and should be used cautiously

🧼 Cleaning & Maintenance

• Daily: Clean dishes, remove waste

• Weekly: Change cage liner, wash toys and perches

• Monthly: Deep clean cage with bird-safe cleaner

• Provide regular mist baths or a shallow dish for bathing

🧠 Social Needs & Enrichment

• Cockatiels are very social and require daily interaction

• Can be kept alone with human bonding or in pairs for companionship

• Offer out-of-cage time daily in a bird-safe space

• Talk, whistle, and play with your cockatiel – they love attention!

• Teach tricks or simple words with patience and positive reinforcement

🩺 Signs of Good Health

✔ Bright eyes, alert posture
✔ Smooth, clean feathers
✔ Active and vocal
✔ Eating and drinking regularly

🚨 Watch for:

❗ Fluffed-up appearance
❗ Quiet or lethargic behaviour
❗ Weight loss or strange droppings
❗ Discharge from eyes or beak

👉 If you notice these signs, contact an avian vet as soon as possible.

🧾 Cockatiel Essentials Checklist:

☑ Spacious cage
☑ Variety of perches and toys
☑ High-quality diet + fresh fruit/veg
☑ Daily social interaction
☑ Regular cleaning and bathing
☑ Access to avian vet when needed

 

Cockatiels make wonderful, long-term companions when given the love, space, and care they deserve. Their gentle nature and playful personalities bring joy to any home! 💛🦜