Cockatiel
Friendly, expressive, and often happiest around people. Cockatiels can be a great fit if you want a gentle companion bird and can offer daily interaction, whistling practice, and steady routines.
size
Small to Medium
energy
Medium
noise
Medium
lifespan
15 to 25 years
socialNeeds
High
messLevel
Medium
trainability
Medium
talking
Limited
aloneTimeTolerance
Low to Medium
space
Cage plus daily out time
Best for
- People who want an affectionate companion bird
- Homes that can provide daily out-of-cage time
- First-time bird owners ready to learn handling and body language
- Apartments that can tolerate occasional louder calls
Not ideal for
- Very busy schedules with long daily alone time
- Homes that need very quiet pets
- People who cannot commit to routine cleaning and enrichment
Temperament
- Gentle and people-oriented
- Can be cuddly with trust and consistent handling
- May startle easily, benefits from calm routines
- Often enjoys whistling and simple training
Daily routine
diet: Fresh water daily. Balanced pellets plus vegetables, with limited seed treats.
enrichment: Rotate toys, add foraging, and provide safe chew items.
outOfCageTime: Aim for supervised daily time outside the cage in a bird-safe space.
cleaning: Spot-clean daily, deeper clean weekly (liners, perches, bowls).
Living fit
apartment: Often works if noise is managed and routines are consistent.
family: Can be good with gentle, supervised handling and clear boundaries.
firstTimeOwner: Often suitable if you learn diet, safety, and handling basics.
Health notes
- Avoid PTFE/Teflon fumes, smoke, aerosols, and scented candles near birds.
- Watch for appetite changes, fluffed posture, and breathing changes.
- Find an avian vet for baseline checks and diet guidance.
Cost and time
time: Moderate. Daily feeding, interaction, training, and short cleaning tasks.
cost: Upfront cage and safe setup. Ongoing food, toys, and avian vet care.
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