birdguide

[birdguide]

Picking the Right Cage for Cockatiels

Owning a cockatiel comes with a lot of responsibilities, from providing the right diet and care to selecting appropriate toys and, most importantly, choosing the right cage.

I often notice online that people may not educate themselves properly and end up with cages recommended by pet stores or ones that barely meet the minimum size requirements. Cockatiels love to spread their wings and climb around, requiring plenty of toys and perches, preferably made of natural wood. However, this post isn't about the interior of the cage; I'll cover that in a future post. Instead, let's focus on the cage itself. It's crucial that the cage is wider than the bird's wingspan.

Criteria: When purchasing a cage, opt for the largest one you can afford. The height of the cage is less important than the width. Additionally, avoid round cages. Aim for a sturdy cage with horizontal bars for climbing and ample room for toys and perches.

Flight Cages: Flight cages are an excellent choice, especially if you have one or two cockatiels. They provide sufficient size and space for the bird to climb and exercise.

Pet Store Cages: While convenient and affordable, pet store cages often lack the necessary space and features for cockatiels. Some are so small that even a zebra finch would be unhappy inside. When buying from a pet store, prioritize getting the largest cage possible within your budget while adhering to the criteria mentioned above.

Travel Cages/Carriers: These cages are essential for emergencies, such as vet visits or traveling with your bird. Invest in a sturdy, well-ventilated cage that comfortably accommodates your bird and allows for movement. Opt for a smaller cage for easier transport.

Double Flight Cages: Recommended for owners with multiple cockatiels and sufficient space and budget, double flight cages essentially combine two flight cages. Some models even allow for the addition of a third cage. Though more expensive, they are worth the investment.

Free Flight: Allowing your bird to fly freely in a room provides necessary exercise. Ensure the area is bird-safe, and all windows and doors are closed. Leaving food inside the cage will encourage the bird to return on its own after flying.

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[birdguide]

Cockatiels and Gender

In general, it's hard to determine your cockatiel's gender with 100% accuracy.

There are some signs that your tiel might be male or female, but in most cases, it's just a guess. Two giveaways of gender are if the cockatiel is singing a lot and mimicking sounds, which would make the tiel most likely male. Or if the cockatiel lays an egg, which 100% confirms the tiel as female. If the cockatiel doesn’t lay an egg, all you can do is look for signs and hope you get the gender right or go to an avian vet and let them do a DNA test.

It’s also important to keep in mind that some cockatiels may appear female as babies but lose their female appearance after their first molting.

Below you can see two picture of my Boy Bode at the age of 6 months.

As you can see, he wears a pearl kind of feathery outfit. He looks very much like his mother. Soon after he sadly lost his cute baby tiel looks and started puberty.

Now he's wearing his male feather fit.

Here’s a link if you want to get a bit deeper into the topic of sexing your Tiel

All in all we can only guess the gender of our tiels. So if the tiel doesn't lay eggs the best way to get an accurate answer is to go to an avian vet.

#cockatiel #birds #cockatiels #parrot #parrots #bird