The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Cockatiel The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Cockatiel
Showing posts with label Cockatiel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cockatiel. Show all posts

Friday, February 25, 2022

Average Lifespans of Popular Pet Birds


Birds can make amazing pets, but one factor that you should consider before bringing one home is the average pet bird lifespan. Smaller birds can live as long as 10 years or more, while larger parrots can live up to 50 years, which means you'll need to have a plan in place for their care should something happen to you.

Pet Birds With Shorter Lifespans

Smaller birds tend to live shorter lifespans compared to other common pet birds. Birds in this group live anywhere from 5 years up to 15 years.

To read more on this story, click here: Average Lifespans of Popular Pet Birds


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Friday, September 10, 2021

Selecting a pet bird


Humans have been fascinated by birds for centuries, with a variety of species kept as companion animals in cultures around the world. They can make wonderful additions to households, especially if there is limited space or family members are allergic to other animals.

What are you looking for in a bird? Your choice of bird will be affected by your preferences for appearance, personality, companionship or ability to talk.

Appearance

Pet birds come in many sizes and colors — ranging from finches with a wing span of just a few inches, to macaws whose wing span can be up to four feet. Bird feather hues range from natural greys, yellows, reds, and greens to unusual color combinations resulting from selective breeding.

To read more on this story, click here: Selecting a pet bird


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Saturday, August 15, 2020

8 Top Friendly Pet Bird Species


It's no surprise that many people want a pet bird that is friendly, gentle, and well-suited to being a companion. These traits are even more important for people with limited pet bird experience. It's easier to bond with and care for an animal that has a naturally friendly disposition, rather than one that tends to be timid or aggressive. Here are eight of the friendliest pet bird species that typically make excellent companions.

To read more on this story, click here: 8 Top Friendly Pet Bird Species




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Ever Thought About Getting A Bird? They Make Great Pets


Have you ever thought about getting a bird? They make great pets! Here are a few reasons you may consider: 

They are fairly low maintenance

Birds are a good option for those who want to enrich their lives with a pet but are either slightly time poor or don’t want the high-maintenance cats and dogs bring with the need for a lot of attention, exercise, and training. Birds on the other hand, require far less training, unless you want to teach them cool tricks! They are much easier to clean up after as they are self-grooming creatures and their mess tends to be isolated to their cage.

They are highly intelligent

Birds are very smart and curious creatures. They have the capability to learn many new things, such as learning to mimic human speech and behaviours or using objects as tools. This makes them very intriguing and fun pets to watch and play with, especially with their human like antics!

Birds are perfect for small places

If you live in a small house or an apartment a bird is the perfect pet for these spaces. Whereas cats and dogs require a lot of room to run around, birds are quite happy with only a few metres of space for their cage.

They are very social

Birds are considered to be very social creatures as can be heard with their constant chirping and chattering. This makes them fun to interact and talk with, especially if you have trained your bird to speak or it has started mimicking human voices. Either way they are the perfect companion to talk to and get your thoughts off your chest without fear of judgment.

Life long companion

Did you know that some species of birds can live up to 50 years? That truly makes some birds life long companions. However, although some birds can live up to 50 years many have a lifespan of up to 20 years, which is still quite a long time. So whatever breed you choose be prepared for a long and happy life together.


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Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Did You Know Cockatiels Are Among The Most Popular Of Pet Birds?


Did you know that cockatiels are among the most popular of pet birds? Normal cockatiels are gray, with white patches on the wings. They have a yellow/white face with a bright orange patch over the 'ear'. Variations include : Pied (varing white patches cover body), Pearl (each feather retains gray color, with white intersperced), Lutino (Bird white with yellow/white/ orange face), and Albino (white bird). Another popular bird is the Budgie also known as the Parakeet.

The life-span of Cockatiels is usually around 15 – 20 years, however, it has been reported that some have lived up to 30 years!  Having one bird is fine, but you must spend a lot of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis. Having two birds will make it a little easier, but they will bond with each other, and may not bond with the owner.

I have often heard people say, “I don’t want a bird, they are dirty!”  This is simply not true. If a bird’s cage isn’t clean, it’s the fault of the owner, not the bird! All pets require care.


One thing that I do want to mention, is to never keep your bird in your kitchen. A friend of mine has a cockatiel that she used to keep in her kitchen. I asked her why she had it there, she said that because she spends a lot of time in her kitchen/dining area. Her bird did end up getting sick. The kitchen is generally a poor choice for your cockatiel’s cage. There are a number of fumes in the average household kitchen that can be toxic for birds. A good place the cage is where you and your family spend time so that you can interact with the bird.

Cockatiels are vocal creatures. Some make very loud noises. It may sound like they are screaming, but it’s just the natural sounds of the bird. When you arrive home your bird may make noises at the excitement of seeing you.



How to tell the sex of your Cockatiel:
Males tend to have a brighter facial color. Females have a duller facial color, and have barring under their tails. This method of sexing becomes more difficult in the variations of birds.

Feeding your Cockatiel:
A seed diet is not adequate, but tends to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium, and protein. Seeds can be part of a healthy diet but only a minor percentage. There are other human foods that birds like. Millet is another great food.

For a well nourished bird include a variety of fresh fruits crisp or lightly steamed veggies and other table foods in your bird’s diet. Always serve them chopped, sliced, diced, minced and mashed.

There are human foods that you can give your Cockatiel:
Cooked chicken/ turkey; Eggs/hard boiled/scrambled; Cottage cheese; Yogurt; Asparagus; Beets/beet tops; Broccoli; Brussel sprouts; Carrots; celery; corn; chicory greens; cilantro; collard greens; green/yellow beans; kale; mustard greens; peas and pods; parsley;  pumpkin; red/green sweet pepper;  romaine lettuce; spinach; turnip greens; water crest; yellow squash; zucchini; bananas; berries; cantaloupe; cherries; cranberries; honey dew; kiwi; mango; oranges(seedless); papaya; pineapple; watermelon; cook pasta; cooked brown rice; dried fruits; whole wheat toast; oatmeal; cheerios; rice krispies; grape nuts; Un salted popcorn; and animal crackers.

Foods you should never give your Cockatiel:
Avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima beans, milk, sodas, sugar, teas, rhubarb, leaves from potatoes, tomatoes, egg plants, bean plants, alcohol, salt, greasy foods, tobacco, fruits seeds or pits from, apples, apricots, oranges, cherries, or peaches.

Tips on caring for your Cockatiel:

1. Your cockatiel needs to have fresh water every day. Change the water every day, even if it looks full. If you find any droppings or feathers in the water cup, change the water, so your bird will not get sick.

2. Some bird noise is very loud but is not screaming, it’s just the natural sounds of birds. Since they are very vocal creatures and you can expect them to greet dawn and sunset with enthusiasm. They may get rowdy just before mealtimes and especially, if you work and the house is empty all day, when you arrive home.

3. Offer foods that have different colors shapes, textures and flavors also vary the presentation.

4. Some birds get startled in their sleep and awaken in a panic. They may start trying to flee the cage and bumping into toys, feeding bowls and their perch.

5. Don't ever give food from your mouth, or kiss your bird.  This is harmful to your bird since your mouth carries germs that can make your bird sick.

6. Cockatiels are very dusty. They use a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger.

Signs that your bird may be sick:
  •  Birds often pretend to be fine when someone is watching nearby (survival instinct), so observe very carefully
  • Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble.
  • Any sign of blood, is a bad sign. If your bird is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding immediately, and contact your Vet.
  • If a normally playful bird doesn't play very much any more, it may well be sick.

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Monday, October 1, 2018

Angry Cockatoo Starts Cursing At Her Dad After He Asks Her To Go To Her Cage


Our pets are the sunshine of our lives. Their affection, their love, and sometimes, just them being themselves, light up our entire day. But there are moments when even these love- showering creatures do not come to terms with us. Just like this cockatoo, who, in the video below, is not just upset from her dad. She is so furious that she can be heard swearing all her anger away.


Pebble, an angelic looking bird, is a beautiful cockatoo who seems to be very calm. However, the reality is far from that. She seems to be completely unable to express her anger vocally.

Recently, Pebble’s dad had asked her to get inside her cage, which she clearly wasn’t happy about. That is why she started swearing her heart out at him. As she screamed the nasty words, she flapped her wings and puffed her crest to make sure her dad notices her rage.

To see more pictures and the video, click here: Angry Cockatoo Starts Cursing At Her Dad After He Asks Her To Go To Her Cage


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Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Cockatiels Are Among The Most Popular Of Pet Birds


Did you know that cockatiels are among the most popular of pet birds? Normal cockatiels are gray, with white patches on the wings. They have a yellow/white face with a bright orange patch over the 'ear'. Variations include : Pied (varing white patches cover body), Pearl (each feather retains gray color, with white intersperced), Lutino (Bird white with yellow/white/ orange face), and Albino (white bird). Another popular bird is the Budgie also known as the Parakeet.

The life-span of Cockatiels is usually around 15 – 20 years, however, it has been reported that some have lived up to 30 years!  Having one bird is fine, but you must spend a lot of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis. Having two birds will make it a little easier, but they will bond with each other, and may not bond with the owner.

I have often heard people say, “I don’t want a bird, they are dirty!”  This is simply not true. If a bird’s cage isn’t clean, it’s the fault of the owner, not the bird! All pets require care.

One thing that I do want to mention, is to never keep your bird in your kitchen. A friend of mine has a cockatiel that she used to keep in her kitchen. I asked her why she had it there, she said that because she spends a lot of time in her kitchen/dining area. Her bird did end up getting sick. The kitchen is generally a poor choice for your cockatiel’s cage. There are a number of fumes in the average household kitchen that can be toxic for birds. A good place the cage is where you and your family spend time so that you can interact with the bird.

Cockatiels are vocal creatures. Some make very loud noises. It may sound like they are screaming, but it’s just the natural sounds of the bird. When you arrive home your bird may make noises at the excitement of seeing you.

How to tell the sex of your Cockatiel:

Males tend to have a brighter facial color. Females have a duller facial color, and have barring under their tails. This method of sexing becomes more difficult in the variations of birds.

Feeding your Cockatiel:

A seed diet is not adequate, but tends to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium, and protein. Seeds can be part of a healthy diet but only a minor percentage. There are other human foods that birds like. Millet is another great food.

For a well nourished bird include a variety of fresh fruits crisp or lightly steamed veggies and other table foods in your bird’s diet. Always serve them chopped, sliced, diced, minced and mashed.

There are human foods that you can give your Cockatiel:

Cooked chicken/ turkey; Eggs/hard boiled/scrambled; Cottage cheese; Yogurt; Asparagus; Beets/beet tops; Broccoli; Brussel sprouts; Carrots; celery; corn; chicory greens; cilantro; collard greens; green/yellow beans; kale; mustard greens; peas and pods; parsley;  pumpkin; red/green sweet pepper;  romaine lettuce; spinach; turnip greens; water crest; yellow squash; zucchini; bananas; berries; cantaloupe; cherries; cranberries; honey dew; kiwi; mango; oranges(seedless); papaya; pineapple; watermelon; cook pasta; cooked brown rice; dried fruits; whole wheat toast; oatmeal; cheerios; rice krispies; grape nuts; Un salted popcorn; and animal crackers.

Foods you should never give your Cockatiel:

Avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima beans, milk, sodas, sugar, teas, rhubarb, leaves from potatoes, tomatoes, egg plants, bean plants, alcohol, salt, greasy foods, tobacco, fruits seeds or pits from, apples, apricots, oranges, cherries, or peaches.

Tips on caring for your Cockatiel:
  • Your cockatiel needs to have fresh water every day. Change the water every day, even if it looks full. If you find any droppings or feathers in the water cup, change the water, so your bird will not get sick.
  • Some bird noise is very loud but is not screaming, it’s just the natural sounds of birds. Since they are very vocal creatures and you can expect them to greet dawn and sunset with enthusiasm. They may get rowdy just before mealtimes and especially, if you work and the house is empty all day, when you arrive home.
  • Offer foods that have different colors shapes, textures and flavors also vary the presentation.Some birds get startled in their sleep and awaken in a panic. They may start trying to flee the cage and bumping into toys, feeding bowls and their perch.
  • Don't ever give food from your mouth, or kiss your bird.  This is harmful to your bird since your mouth carries germs that can make your bird sick.
  • Cockatiels are very dusty. They use a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger.

Signs that your bird may be sick:
  • Birds often pretend to be fine when someone is watching nearby (survival instinct), so observe very carefully
  • Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble.
  • Any sign of blood, is a bad sign. If your bird is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding immediately, and contact your Vet.
  • If a normally playful bird doesn't play very much any more, it may well be sick.
Cockatiel sings "If Your Happy & You Know it"



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Monday, July 9, 2018

What Are The Best Birds For Apartment Living?


If there is one thing that birds are known for besides flight, it's the sounds of their calls and songs. While a bird's call may be music to the ears of its owner, not everyone will find it to be so pleasant -- and this can mean trouble for bird owners that live in apartments or condominiums. If you live in close proximity to your neighbors, a quieter bird species that do well in small spaces is for you. You are sure to find a species that will complement your home and lifestyle. Bear in mind that just because the bird is smaller doesn't mean that the care can be diminished. These birds deserve the same respect, the same care outlines and the same regard as their larger cousins. These are wonderful birds that need your time, attention and housekeeping just like the big guys do.

Parakeets (Budgies)
If you have your heart set on a hookbill, then a Parakeet or Budgie may be the way to go. Small and quiet, these little birds do well in cozier spaces and aren't loud enough to disturb most people. The trick to this is to find an enclosure or cage that is longer than it is high to give your budgie space to hop and fly. Round cages are out as well as cylindrical cages that are simply unsuitable.

Cockatiels
If you have room for a larger cage, a Cockatiel may be the bird for you. While they may take up a little more room than some smaller species, their calls and chirps rarely reach levels that may be deemed bothersome by neighbors. Cockatiels are wonderful little birds with quieter voices than many of the larger hookbills. They have a lot of personality and their ability to whistle and actually learn to whistle along with music is amazing. This is one of the most popular birds available as they easily adapt to most situations as far as living accommodations are concerned and they do well with other birds.

To read more on this story, click here: What Are The Best Birds For Apartment Living?

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Saturday, July 2, 2016

Watch as Two Baby Cockatiels go from Hatchlings to Full Grown Birds in 30 Days


At birth, a baby cockatiel weighs only 4 grams and is the size of a small thumbnail, according to tieltreasures.com. At about 6 days old, they open their eyes! The tiny bird grows fast and by day nine is eating a whole teaspoon (or two) of food three or four times a day! The blue color on the wings starts to appear as well as the crest feathers.

The baby’s feathers don’t open up until it is two to three weeks old. When the little bird it about 3 weeks old, it will venture off for its first flight. A full grown cockatiel can weigh from 100 – 250 grams. This video shows amazing footage of the growth of two cockatiel hatchlings.

The growth these birds go through in 30 days is unbelievable – they go from completely helpless to full grown birds.



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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Pet Companion Birds Species


This is a list of the Top 5 Companion Bird Species available. Brief descriptions of these popular birds are sure to help potential owners decide which type of pet bird they should buy.

1.  Parakeets/Budgies
The common Parakeet, or Budgerigar to be exact, makes a wondeful pet for children or those who are new to keeping birds. These hardy little jewels come in an array of beautiful colors, and require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. They are quite intelligent in spite of their small size, and while most are content to whistle and sing, some have been known to learn a word or two. Average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.






2.  Cockatiels
These medium sized birds are simply a delight to keep. Members of the parrot family, these Australian natives are known for their surprisingly advanced whistling and singing abilities. While Cockatiels are capable of learning to talk, many owners find that their birds prefer to whistle, and tend to mimic quirky, random sounds such as the ringing of a telephone. These birds are available in increasingly diverse color combinations and have an average life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.






3.  Finches and Canaries
Finches and Canaries are other popular types of pet birds. With most varieties measuring 5 inches or less, Finches and Canaries require less space than most other bird species. Unlike parrots, which are hookbills, Finches and Canaries are known as softbills or waxbills. These little birds thrive in small flocks, and generally pay little attention to humans -- making them perfect pets for those who love to watch birds, but would like a pet that requires minimal interaction. A well cared for Finch or Canary can live for up to 10 years.











4.  Lovebirds
Lovebirds are one of the smallest known parrot species. These beautiful little birds should not be overlooked in favor of larger, more demanding parrots; any Lovebird owner will tell you that these birds possess all the intelligence and personality of the largest of macaws. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. At around 6 inches long, the Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.




5.  African Greys
African Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds, some boasting vocabularies of up to 2,000 words! Because these birds are so smart, they tend to be demanding pets, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. If you are looking for a highly intelligent and affectionate friend, however, the African Grey may be right up your alley. Greys typically live 50-70 years.


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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Are You Considering Getting a Bird as a Pet?



It happens all too often. An unsuspecting person pays a visit to a neighborhood pet store. Once inside, they round a corner to find themselves face to face with beautiful, vividly colored birds.  Instantly, the person is smitten, and minutes later they are driving home with their new bird.

Having a pet bird is a big responsibility for any animal lover. While on the surface, owning a bird may seem as easy as owning any other pet, birds require stringent, specific care to stay healthy.

Each species has different needs: some birds are domesticated and adapt well to life in a small cage, while some are large, untamed and unruly, and are not appropriate for most people to keep as pets. Small birds like canaries, parakeets and lovebirds are well suited to live in a typical household setting.

There are an abundance of resources available to help you raise birds properly, including instructional books, pet supplies and local veterinarian offices that can treat them. They tend to need less of your attention than, say, a parrot or cockatoo would, and they interact more easily with people.

Do you want a bird that will be eager to come out of his cage and socialize, or would you prefer a pet that likes to be seen but not touched? The way your bird relates to you will be an important factor in the quality of your ownership experience. Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that different species of birds exhibit various behavior patterns and dispositions. An African Grey will behave quite differently from a Canary, for example. Those in the market for a pet bird should make sure to research the species that they are interested in so they can choose the bird whose personality will be most compatible with their own.

There are more than 10,000 species of birds on the planet, but only a few of them can happily live as our companions. Certain species, like cockatiels, budgerigars, finches, doves, and lovebirds, can thrive as pets with proper care. But most other birds, like macaws, cockatoos, and so many more, are best left in the wild; they’re too social, intelligent, and complex to have all of their needs met in captivity.

Macaws
Before choosing this bird make sure you understand that they can live for close to 100 years. They birds have special dietary requirements, and they need to be handled and let out daily.

Tips for choosing a bird
This video will give you tips on how to choose the right pet bird for you. Learn what to consider before buying your bird, including how to determine the bird's health, what supplies you'll need, how to train the bird, how to make space in a birdcage, what medical costs to expect and what food to feed your pet bird.



Best Pet Bird for a Child




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