Cockatiels Bird Breed Pictures,Characteristics, & Facts

At 22 percent, cockatiels rank just behind parakeets when it comes to the best birds for pets, according to their popularity in APPA's survey. These pint-sized parrots are members of the cockatoo family, and their sunny, easy-going personalities score points with their parents.

First-time bird parent Danielle Aamodt of Virginia raves about her cockatiel, Angel: "She will snuggle up to me when I'm tired, she likes to give me kisses on the nose, she'll whistle to me every time I pass the doorway of our dining room where her cage is and she loves to play with my hair and tickle my ear." No wonder they're known to be among the best parrots for pets!

Just be warned: "Cockatiels need things to do," Blanchette says. When you're away all day, she advises, get toys that can keep this smart bird entertained while they're alone. These could include foraging and shredding toys, such as Bonka Bird Toys Foraging Heart Bird Toy-and be sure to change them up every week.

"Even if the same toys are there, and you rearrange them, the bird goes, 'Something new!' It's exciting," says Blanchette. (This is true for all types of pet birds, she adds, but especially important for the parrots.)

Also known as:

Miniature cockatoos, weeros, quarrions

Average lifespan:

10-15 years

Social needs:

Cockatiels do fine as an only pet, but when you come home and your little cockatiel is calling you, you need to start interacting with them, says Blanchette. That can be anything from talking, training and just hanging out. Otherwise, they'll get very noisy. If you do get another cockatiel, put that one in a separate cage nearby. "They can talk to each other, and if they come out, they can play," says Blanchette.

Talking ability:

They can be trained to mimic sounds, so, yes, some can speak words or phrases, Blanchette says. But they also sing, whistle and make all sorts of noises-a vocal range worthy of one of the best birds to have as pets!

Medical concerns:

Infections or parasites: Like parakeets, cockatiels can catch parasites from other birds in pet stores or with breeders if they were kept in a large flock and not screened well, says Dr. Rolfe. These can include parasites called giardia, which can cause diarrhea and lethargy, and psittacosis, a bacterial infection that can also cause diarrhea or respiratory illnesses.

Obesity and fatty liver disease: Birds in the wild fly miles to forage for food. Our pet birds don't get the kind of exercise, and cockatiels aren't immune from packing on the pounds, Dr. Rolfe says, thanks to a mostly seed diet and being sedentary. Again, Dr. Rolfe says, watch your pet's diet, giving them more pellets and vegetables than seeds and treats, and make sure they have plenty of room in their cage to flap, fly and move.