VCA gives each cockatiel at least 2 x 2 x 3 ft (60 x 60 x 90 cm) of cage, so a pair needs twice that space. Pellets are most of the diet, with vegetables and a few seeds as treats.
How many cockatiels?
Cage size
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Cage size
VCA’s cockatiel page sets its minimum per bird, and its small bird housing page gives the same 2 x 2 x 3 ft for cockatiels, lovebirds and parrotlets. Merck’s table is smaller, 20 x 20 x 30 in (51 x 51 x 76 cm), with bars 0.5 in (12.7 mm) apart, so the safe side is VCA’s size with Merck’s spacing.
RVC asks for a cage as large as possible: room to stretch the wings in all directions is the absolute minimum, and ideally there’s room to fly. For a group, RSPCA adds 10% to the cage for each cockatiel over two, its figure for birds of 50 to 100 g. More on bird cage bar spacing.
Company
RVC says most birds are social animals, and a cockatiel should ideally be paired with another of its own species for lifetime companionship. RSPCA counts cockatiels among the colony birds that can share a cage.
Perches
Give perches of irregular shape and diameter to exercise the feet (RSPCA Australia). A perch is the right thickness when the bird’s toes wrap three quarters of the way round it (VCA) and its nails just meet (RSPCA Australia). VCA advises against sandpaper perch covers, which can cause irritation and sores on the feet.
Everyday diet
RVC puts pellets at 60–80% of a cockatiel’s diet and VCA at 75–80%. RVC fills the rest with vegetables such as peas, broccoli, kale, spinach, carrot and sweet potato, a small amount of sprouted seed, and high quality seeds in very small amounts as treats or training rewards. VCA keeps fruit, vegetables and greens to no more than 20–25% of the daily diet.
Leave out avocado and onion, which VCA calls potentially toxic and never to be offered to a bird, and remove the seeds from apple first.
What to get
On the list
What fits