Cockatiel Parrot Complete Guide – Diet, Care, Cage, Behavior, and Lifespan
Your complete guide to raising a healthy and happy cockatiel parrot
Hi and welcome to Parrots Cuisine! Last time I shared my experience about African Grey Parrots, and if you're planning to get one or already have one, I really suggest checking that out so you don’t repeat the mistakes I made.
But today we’re talking about a totally different parrot – the cockatiel. They may look small but believe me, their personality and cuteness is next level.
Let me quickly introduce myself if you’re new here. I’m not a professional. I’m just someone who truly loves animals and has been raising parrots for over 10 years. Whatever I’ve learned has come from observing my birds, taking care of them and sometimes learning the hard way through mistakes.
I only write about parrot food and care, because I believe the best care starts with the best food. 💚
Cockatiels are one of the calmest and soft-natured parrots I’ve kept. They’re not naughty or aggressive. Even when they do bite, it’s like they’re just doing it for formality. Most of the time, they get scared by small things. But they’re really sweet and beautiful little birds.
When I was a kid, we had four parrots in one cage, three Australian and one cockatiel. That cockatiel was mine because I was the eldest and it was the biggest in size. He used to understand our gestures and would react without even us calling him. I don’t remember what exactly happened to him, but I still remember how attached he was to me.
Over the years I’ve kept many cockatiels. Some of them even bred, but back then I didn’t know how to properly care for them. Now I know better, and that’s why I’m writing this so you don’t make the same mistakes I made in my early days.
What Do Cockatiels Eat? Complete Diet Breakdown
I feed all my parrots the same food because they live together in one large rooftop cage. I give them a seed mix that I get prepared from the local market. It's not a branded mix, but it’s clean and organic. If you want to know exactly what seeds I include and how I prepare it, please read my seed mix blog. I’ve explained everything there.
Soft food and seasonal fruits and vegetables are also important. If you want my full feeding routine, visit my What Do Parrots Eat blog. It includes everything I give them throughout the day.
In the past, I used to give only seed mix to my cockatiels. That was a mistake. I thought that’s all they could eat. But now I know they enjoy and benefit from a wide variety of foods.
If you’re a beginner, please don’t repeat my mistake. Avoid giving only seeds. Give them variety. They will eat fruits, vegetables and soft food too. Just avoid processed items, spicy or salty food, and all dairy products. Everything else, especially seasonal and fresh foods, is safe and healthy for them.
Best Cockatiel Food Brands
I’ve never given any branded food to my parrots. My neighbor is the one who always brings the feed for all of them. He gets it freshly made from the market. Earlier I used to buy seed mix that was already packed and lying open in shops. That was a big mistake. It had dust and dirt in it, and I didn’t know any better at the time.
Now I only trust clean and chemical-free mix. If you want to buy a brand, that’s your choice, but always check that it's safe and fresh. I’ve shared all the details about the seed mix in my seed mix blog what seeds I use and in what quantity. Just make sure whatever you feed your cockatiel is clean, not just famous by name.
Are Cockatiels Friendly With Other Birds?
Yes, they are. At least in my case, I’ve never seen them fight or bother other birds. I keep different species together in one big rooftop cage and my cockatiels live peacefully with all of them. They mind their own business and don’t try to dominate anyone.
If you’re planning to keep them with other parrots, just make sure the cage is big and not overcrowded. Cockatiels adjust well with others when they have space and a calm environment.
Feeding Schedule for Cockatiels – How Often and How Much
I feed my cockatiels three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening. I don’t stick to just one type of food. I give them a mix of seeds, soft food, seasonal fruits, and vegetables. Whatever is fresh and good in the season, I give it. This variety keeps them healthy and active.
If you want a full daily schedule of what I give and how I divide it, I’ve already explained everything in my Best Parrot Food blog. Please read that if you’re new or confused. It will help a lot.
I also add multivitamins in their water sometimes. In summer, I mix electrolytes too. It helps protect them from heatstroke. These small things matter. I’ll share more about this in future blogs.
How to Set Up a Cockatiel Cage Properly
Right now, I keep all my parrots in one big rooftop cage. They have enough space to move around, stretch their wings, and stay active. In the past, I used to keep them in small cages and didn’t realize how important space is. That was one of my early mistakes.
I’ve placed separate bowls for food and water. I also give them perches and swings to sit on. On top of the cage, I keep a big steel bowl filled with clean water for bathing. My pigeons and other parrots use it too. But if you’re keeping small birds like Java or Lovebirds, be very careful. Don’t use deep bowls. I made that mistake once, and sadly, I lost a Java bird because she drowned in it. That incident taught me a lot. Now I never keep deep water for small birds.
During summer, I spray the floor with cold water daily to cool it down. My birds love sitting on the floor when it's hot, so I do this to make it comfortable for them. These are small things, but they really matter in keeping birds happy and safe.
Cockatiel Behavior and Personality
Cockatiels are very calm and soft-natured birds. They don’t scream, they don’t fight, and they don’t disturb other birds. Even their bite is so light, it feels like they’re just doing it out of formality. They’re also very sensitive. Even small noises or sudden movements can scare them.
I had one cockatiel baby who grew up alone. He was the only chick from that clutch, and he started acting like he owned the whole cage. That time I didn’t have the rooftop cage setup. All birds had separate cages. When that chick came out of the nest and started eating on his own, his parents had already laid another clutch. So he used to eat alone, and slowly he became bossy. He would sit inside the food bowl and wouldn’t let anyone else eat. If another bird came near, he would scream loudly. His parents used to wait quietly and only eat after he moved away.
Watching that, I really understood how loving bird parents can be. Whether it’s humans or animals, parents always care for their children first. Later, I kept a separate bowl for that cockatiel so he could eat alone, and that solved the problem.
After that, I got another cockatiel chick. The older one tried to act like a strict big brother at first and didn’t accept him easily. But slowly, they became friends. That’s why I always say, if two birds don’t get along, give them time and space. They’ll adjust.
Can Cockatiels Talk? Understanding Their Sounds
Usually, cockatiels are not talking parrots. But some of them can learn a few words if you train them properly. They need a lot of time and repetition. I’ve seen two male cockatiels at my auntie’s place who used to say “Mithu Mithu” and even tried to whistle. They were not a pair, just two males, and they were very interactive. So yes, they can talk a little, but don’t expect them to talk like African Greys or Ringnecks.
If you want a talking bird, cockatiel is not the best choice. But if you’re okay with soft sounds, whistling, and light chirping, they are perfect. And honestly, their sweet little voice is more peaceful than loud talkers.
How Long Do Cockatiels Live?
Cockatiels can live a long life if you take care of them properly. On average, they live around 15 to 20 years. But it depends on how you keep them. Diet, cage space, cleanliness, and regular care all matter.
In my case, I’ve seen that birds who are not stressed, get good food, and have space to fly live longer. I’ve made mistakes in the past that affected their health, but now I try to give them the best possible care. If you want your cockatiel to live a healthy and happy life, don’t ignore small things like fresh food, clean water, and a quiet place to rest.
Grooming and Hygiene: Bathing, Nail Care and More
Cockatiels don’t need heavy grooming like cats or dogs. You don’t need to bathe them with soap or hold them under water. Just give them a bowl of clean water, especially in summer, and they will take a bath themselves. I keep a large steel bowl in their cage and they use it whenever they want to bathe.
But remember, if you keep small birds like Java or Lovebirds in the same cage, don’t use a deep bowl. I lost one Java bird this way. She accidentally drowned because the water was too deep. So be very careful about this.
Also, you can spray them lightly with clean water on hot days. It helps them stay fresh. I spray the cage floor too when the heat gets too much, because many of my birds like to sit on the floor during summer. These small things keep them clean and cool.
How to Bond With Your Cockatiel
Cockatiels are emotional birds. They get attached slowly but deeply. If you give them time, talk to them softly, and feed them by hand, they start trusting you. Don’t rush bonding. Let them observe you first and come closer on their own.
I’ve seen that cockatiels pick their favorite person. Sometimes they ignore everyone else and only respond to the one they trust. They also remember people. If you’ve raised them with care, they won’t forget you, even after a long time. Just be kind and patient with them. Never scare or hit them. Once their trust breaks, it’s hard to get it back.
Common Cockatiel Health Problems and Symptoms
When cockatiels get sick, they don’t show it quickly. That’s why you have to keep an eye on small changes. If they sit quietly in one place for too long, don’t eat properly, or their feathers look puffed up all day, that’s usually a sign something is wrong.
In the past, I didn’t notice these signs early and I lost a bird because of that. Now I check their food bowl, droppings, and behavior every day. Also, give them multivitamins regularly and keep the cage clean. Don’t ignore things like dirty water or leftover food. Their health depends on daily care.
How Much Does a Cockatiel Cost?
The price of a cockatiel depends on the area, country, and where you’re buying from. I don’t remember the exact price I paid because it was years ago. But I do know that you should be careful when buying. Make sure the bird is healthy and active.
Some sellers try to sell non-pairs by calling them pairs. Others sell normal birds claiming they are breeders. Also, don’t just trust colors. Most of the time, males are brighter and females look dull, but that’s not always accurate. To be sure about gender and pairing, get them checked from someone experienced or ask for a gender test if needed.
Should You Keep a Cockatiel? My Honest Opinion
Yes, absolutely. I keep them myself and I love them. Cockatiels are quiet, sweet, and peaceful. They don’t scream or create a mess. If you give them a good environment and feed them well, they stay happy and active.
Just keep one thing in mind — cockatiels should not be kept alone for long. Either keep them in pairs or make sure you give them enough attention. Their cage should be clean, spacious, and have proper food and water. They also need fresh air and sunlight.
People often ask if cockatiels can talk. Honestly, they’re not known for talking much, but some of them do learn a few words or sounds. If you train them daily, they might copy small things. But even if they don’t talk, they still make great pets because of how gentle they are.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experience, feel free to email me at parrotscuisine@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What food is best for cockatiels?
A mix of seed mix, soft food, and fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables is best. Avoid processed and spicy items.
2. Can cockatiels eat bananas?
Yes, bananas are safe in small amounts. Make sure they are ripe and not overfed.
3. How many times a day should a cockatiel eat?
Ideally three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening with a variety of food.
4. Can cockatiels eat bread?
It’s not recommended. Bread has no nutrition for birds and may upset their stomach.
5. What fruits and vegetables can cockatiels eat?
They can eat apple, carrot, spinach, guava, peas, corn, and more. Just avoid avocado, onion, and garlic.
6. What can I feed my cockatiel besides seeds?
Soft foods, boiled grains, fruits, vegetables, and a little handfeed mix are good additions.
7. What is a complete cockatiel food list?
It should include seeds, fruits, veggies, soft foods, clean water, and multivitamins regularly.
8. Can cockatiels talk or mimic sounds?
Some can, especially males. With regular training, they may learn words or whistles.
9. Do cockatiels pick a favorite person?
Yes, they often bond closely with one person, especially the one who feeds or talks to them daily.
10. How much does a cockatiel cost in Pakistan?
It depends on the area and seller, but always check health and behavior before buying.