The Pet Cockatiel, an introduction to the series
© Mary Wilson
For so many people, the cockatiel fits the pet bird "bill." Whether someone is moving up from a parakeet or looking for a great first bird, the cockatiel works. This small hookbill comes from Australia, and hobbyists have bred a rainbow of colors and patterns. The antics of a cockatiel will entertain, exasperate, and surprise you, usually all at the same time.
I classify a cockatiel as a small hookbill for a few reasons. The first, and most important, is that the cockatiel is of a size that will not scare someone new to birds. Unlike the fearsome beak of a macaw, the cockatiel doesn't look as if he could take your finger off with one bite. Also, it doesn't take much strength to have a cockatiel perch on your finger or arm. The second is that a cockatiel is smaller than some Asiatic parakeets, such as the ringneck. To me, the line between small and medium bird becomes blurred with something the size of a ringneck or Amazon. (Yes, there are a variety of sizes within those species). A quaker, Princess of Wales, and canary winged parakeet, to me, are also all small hookbills. Though Sally, my quaker, believes she's a much bigger bird.
There are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about a pet cockatiel, and I'll break them down over the course of the next few articles. We'll start with the cage, then move into diet, behavior, and health.
I hope if you're a current cockatiel owner you'll find something of value in the coming series. If you're thinking about obtaining a pet cockatiel, then I hope these articles will shape your decision.
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