Hand Fed Cockatiel / Mutation - Nymphicus hollandicus

Noise Level & Talking Ability

Relatively quiet in comparison with other similar sized birds. Cockatiels like to whistle tunes and often make "contact calls" when their owner leaves the room. Cockatiels can learn to speak words but are much more often great whistlers. 

Physical Features 

Cockatiels are mostly grey in colour. They are best known for their long tails, crests, and orange cheeks. At maturity, male cockatiels develop yellow faces which often extend into their crests, and the cheeks may become a more intense orange. The striping on the rump and tail, as well as the dots in the wings, fade away and become grey like the body. The flight feathers and upper side of the tail has a dusty silver appearance. The back is dark grey, sharply contrasted by white secondary coverts on the wing. The beak is dark grey, as are the legs and feet. 
Adult females and immature cockatiels look very similar to one another. They are overall grey, with the belly being lighter grey than that back. Many female cockatiels develop a small amount of yellow in the face, and often have a muddy yellow-grey crest. The cheek patches are orange varying in shades and intensities. The flight feathers have yellowish dots. The rump and tail have thin whitish bars. The two outermost feathers in the tail are yellow with grey bars. Like in males, the secondary coverts are white. The beak, legs, and feet are grey. 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PEARL MUTATIONS: When the bird molts into their adult feathers, a male cockatiel that expresses the pearl mutation will change in appearance and look very similar to a normal cockatiel. Females will remain relatively the same in appearance as when they were young.

Pet Profile

Great family birds, handfed cockatiels who are regularly handled will feel comfortable stepping up to almost anyone who is comfortable around birds! They are silly little birds who are very sweet. This makes them an ideal companion for kids or beginner bird owners. They tend to be very gentle birds who seldom become aggressive when unhappy.

Cockatiels are a dustier bird and that must be taken into consideration before choosing this species as the pet for you. Households with people who have asthma or other respiratory conditions may find the cockatiel irritates their respiratory system. Frequent bathing and proper airflow in the home are important for those who wish to own cockatiels. 

Diet

Pellets should be a cockatiels main diet. Fruit, veggies, and chop mixes should also be given. Seed and spray millet should be given as a treat. For picky cockatiels, adding Prime Vitamin Supplement to their seeds can help to make them more balanced, but a pelleted diet will always be better.

Housing

Cockatiels are active birds that need a cage that will allow them to climb, roam, and flap their wings with ease. A cement perch is always a good addition to the cage as it allows them to file their nails and beak down at their leisure. Both destructible and indestructible toys should be included in the cage to add variety. 

Breeding Information

Cockatiels are fairly easy birds to breed. They require little assistance other than the proper diet and appropriate nesting boxes. Breeding information for Cockatiels is easy to follow and will help ensure a successful breeding season. Breeding Cockatiels can cause you to run into some complications; therefore, it's important to learn as much as you can prior to breeding Cockatiels.

Hens are capable of breeding for up to fifteen years if they are cared for properly. During the first breeding season, it is not uncommon for Cockatiels to abandon their eggs and even eat or traumatize the offspring. In most cases, breeding Cockatiels is simple, but in certain pairs, infertility may be an issue. Cockatiels breed best from early Spring to late Autumn but if they are kept indoors and the environment is correct, they can breed at any time. Never allow Cockatiels to breed more than twice per year.

Breeding hens need the proper diet to include calcium and protein, as well as a mineral block. A hen should be offered grains and green vegetables. A proper diet is essential to prevent egg binding and for healthy offspring.

Wild Status

Stable - Least Concern
Assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2018.