PetsThe cockatiel is a small crested parrot from Australia. It is gentle, loves company and often learns to whistle tunes. A cockatiel lives a long time and bonds closely with its people, so it is a commitment of many years. It needs daily time with you, or a companion bird.
This is a care guide, not veterinary advice. It covers housing, food, routine and safety. It does not diagnose or treat illness. If your pet seems unwell, is hurt or behaves differently, take it to a qualified veterinarian without delay.
At a glance
- Lives
- Commonly 15 to 20 years, sometimes more
- Time each day
- 1 to 2 hours of company and time out of the cage
- Space
- A large cage and a safe room to fly in
- Cost
- Medium
- Good with children
- Yes, with calm, older children
Is a cockatiel right for you?
A good choice if
- Someone is home most days
- You want a pet that enjoys sitting with you
- You can commit for fifteen years or more
- Some feather dust in the house does not trouble you
Think again if
- Anyone at home has asthma or a dust allergy: cockatiels shed a fine powder
- You are away for long hours
- You want a quiet home at dawn and dusk
- The cage would stand in the kitchen
What you need before the first day
- A roomy cage with horizontal bars, large enough to spread both wings fully
- Perches of different thickness
- Dishes for food and water
- Cockatiel seed mix or pellets
- Cuttlebone or mineral block
- Toys to chew and shred
- A play stand outside the cage
- A cover for the night
The right home
Set the cage in a family room, against a wall, away from the kitchen, direct sun and draughts. Smoke, incense, aerosol sprays and the fumes from overheated non-stick cookware are dangerous to birds. Cockatiels can panic at night if startled: a dim night light and a partly covered cage help. Make the room safe before the bird comes out: fan off, windows closed, no open water or hot stove.
Food and water
Feed pellets or a seed mix as the base, with fresh vegetables and greens every day. Seeds alone lead to an overweight bird. Offer new foods many times: cockatiels are cautious. Fresh water daily, and a cuttlebone.
Never feed
- Avocado
- Chocolate, coffee and tea
- Alcohol
- Salty, fried or sugary food
- Apple pips and fruit stones
- Onion and garlic
Care routine
Every day
Every week
Every month
Handling and behaviour
Cockatiels enjoy a gentle scratch on the head and neck once they trust you. Teach "step up" onto a finger with a calm voice and a treat. Watch the crest: upright means alert or alarmed, flat against the head means frightened or angry, relaxed and slightly back means content. Never shout at a noisy bird: it reads that as attention.
When to see a vet
Do not wait and watch if you notice any of these. Go to a qualified vet:
- Fluffed up, sleepy or sitting on the cage floor
- Not eating
- Tail bobbing or noisy breathing
- Changes in droppings that last more than a day
- Feather plucking
Find a vet before you need one, and keep the phone number where everyone at home can see it. Follow the vaccination and parasite-control schedule your vet gives you.
In India: climate and rules
Cockatiels are captive-bred and legal to keep, but native Indian wild birds are protected by law and must not be kept. In summer keep the bird cool and offer baths. In winter in northern India keep the cage away from cold draughts at night. Bring the cage indoors and keep the room quiet during fireworks.
More guides
Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Guinea pig, Hamster, Budgerigar, Goldfish, Betta fish, Tropical fish tank. Also: the first week with a new pet, foods pets must never eat, summer care.
Written in November 2026. Life spans and sizes are the ranges commonly given for well-kept pets. Individual animals differ.