COCKATIEL PARROTS BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING
Cockatiel parrots are friendly, docile and gently birds. They like to be held and petted. They do well in pairs and will get along nicely with different breeds of birds. However, a single cockatiel will bond better with a human than a paired cockatiel. Because they are so sweet and gentle they make excellent pets for children six and over.
Cockatiels are quick to learn tricks and love to whistle. They can often learn to whistle entire songs. Cockatiels can also learn to mimic words but, because their voices are so high, they are often difficult to understand.
Cockatiels are subject to night frights. If something frightens them in the dark they can often thrash around so violently that they injure themselves. It is a good idea to keep a night light on close to the cage so that a startled cockatiel can quickly get their bearings and avoid panicking. It is also a good idea to keep the cage away from windows at night so that car headlights do not become a source of fright.
Cockatiel cages should be as large as possible to give them plenty of room to play. They will need horizontal bars to climb on and a variety of swings and toys to keep them busy and happy. They enjoy chewing on wood. Placing large fresh twigs of wood in their cage will allow them to climb and chew contentedly. Do not give cockatiels rubber or plastic toys.
Cockatiels also enjoy bathing. Place a clear glass pie dish in the bottom of the cage with about one quarter of an inch of water for bathing. They also enjoy being sprayed with a water bottle for a shower.
Cockatiel training is very easy, especially with young birds. It is, however, easier to train a single bird than it is to train a pair of birds at the same time.
Cockatiels need a great deal of attention and interaction with humans and/or other birds. If they do not receive adequate socialization they can vulnerable to feather plucking. They can also become screamers if they are lonely, bored or frightened. While cockatiel sound is not as offensive as that of some other parrots, it can be annoying. Developing a bond with your cockatiel, spending plenty of quality time with him and giving him a varied, psychologically stimulating environment with plenty of toys and exercise will prevent destructive behavior.
