Cockatiel Life Span

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. - George Eliot

There are a number of ways you can ensure that the cockatiel life span is long and a healthy one. Cockatiels (also called 'tiels') are a species of curiously beautiful birds native to the arid regions of Australia, and are adorably amusing pets. Their scientific name is Nymphicus Hollandicus. The name comes from a name that Johann Wagler had given to cockatoos after being astounded by their beauty and comparing it to that of the nymphs. The word Hollandicus comes from where they were found. Australia was called Nova Hollandia (New Holland) in the 17th century after being named by the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman and the name remained unchanged for at least 180 years. The Aboriginal name for the cockatiel is Quarrion which is still being used in New South Wales, Western Australia. Having your home with your little cockatiel chirruping and screeching can be very nice indeed. A house begins to feel like a home when you have pets and cockatiel birds make very good ones indeed.

Cockatiel Life Expectancy
The cockatiel life span when they're in captivity has been found out to be up to 15 years and even well up to 20 years. There has been a case where the cockatiel was found to live up to 36 years. Cockatiel life span mainly is based upon his well-being- physical and emotional. Cockatiels aren't the ones who'd live the life of a hermit- they like company. So it is best if you introduce another cockatiel to him or her. Two males get along well too.

Cockatiel Sex Differentiation
One cannot quite differentiate between a male and a female cockatiel until they have their first molt when they're about six to nine months of age. The male has much more pronounced colors than the female cocktiel. The male has a brighter yellow face than the female cockatiel whilst the female has a more gray face with only traces of the yellow coloration. The body of the male cockatiel is a darker gray than that of the female- hers appearing almost brownish. Males tend to whistle a lot and are more vociferous with their calling than the females. Female cokatiels are mostly quiet, but do tend to hiss or screech when they aren't. Males have darker cheek patches that are of an endearing pinkish-orange tinge. Female cockatiels have spots or color pattern under their tail-feathers. If one were to hold a mirror in front of the male cockatiel he might be pleasantly surprised and quite fascinated with the mirror and peer into it interestedly for a longer time than a female cockatiel.

Cockatiel Sounds
Cockatiel sounds are many. Some can even talk. Cockatiels have a tendency to scream and screech a lot. Many a time, they do it in order to get attention. If you feed them then. They realize that a whistle or a screech is meant for you to go fetch them treats. Be careful if they screech annoyingly and you reward them with food or the like. Reward them if they have quieter tones of whistling or calling; ortherwise your entire house will be disturbed with a frantic and spoiled cockatiel demandingly and unnervingly screeching for you to fetch him treats.

Cockatiel Behavior
Cockatiel behavior is easy to understand by the way their crest stands. If a cockatiel is excited, his crest is erect. If he is flirting or being alluring it slants a bit and if he is being aggressive it falls flat. Cockatiels get easily frightened when they're about to fall asleep by shadows, curtains, an unexpected intruder in the room in the night. Your cockatiel may panic and start flapping his wings and screech loudly. He is capable of breaking a blood feather and bleeding to death if you don't notice. Sometimes, it is best to keep his cage covered in the night to prevent him from getting a fright in the middle of the night when you're sleeping and, possibly, aren't there to notice. Understanding and being responsive to your cockatiel's personality ensures his feeling of being secure with you and certainly would aid in the quality of your cockatiel life span.

Increasing Cockatiel Life Span - Food and Hygiene
Another important factor in increasing life span and cockatiel care is his diet. They love seeds and aren't voracious eaters, of course. A mixture in diet such as introducing fruits and vegetables is good for his health as he gets other nutrients that old seeds lose. Making sure the fruits and veggies are washed is important. It is best to feed in small amounts and shred the fruits and vegetables that you give your cockatiel. The veggies that you can feed are sprouts, spinach, turnip greens, Swiss chard, mustard greens, broccoli, escarole, chicory, tomatoes, beet greens, bok choy, grated carrots, collard greens, Corn on the Cob, Endive, Kale. If you want to feed him with yams, pumpkin or sweet potato, they're best for the cockatiel when cooked. Mangoes, cantaloupe, apricots, nectarines, papayas, peaches, apples, bananas, grapes, oranges are good fruits to feed your cockatiel. Avoid feeding your cockatiel with any seeds of fruits as they may contain traces of cynaide which is very poisonous. If your cockatiel refuses to eat, it can be due to change of environment or perhaps because he doesn't like the food that you're giving him, the temperature in the room, or if his partner dies. Make sure his water is always clean or you'll run a risk of him falling ill. Keep cleaning his cage in order to ensure that he remains healthy. Cockatiel life span can be increased if you give him proper exercise by letting him out of his cage, once in a while, in safe surroundings. Cockatiel's do love an active life just like everyone else. You most certainly don't want a sullen and morose little cockatiel.

These are the very basics you need to keep in mind whilst raising your cockatiel and to increase his life span. And pets, such as the cockatiels, are lovely and fair-feathered friends.