Cockatiel Health

This section contains information about Cockatiel Health, Sexing and Wing Clipping.

Its a good idea when you a buying a new cockatiel to get a written two week guarantee of the bird's health, and always have your veterinarian examine your bird. If you already have birds never put your new bird straight in with the others, quarantine if for at least 30 days to see if any problems and diseases develop.

Signs of illness include:-

Sometimes the best therapy is warmth If the bird does not seem better in a few hours, you might need to see your vet, because once birds show they are sick, they can go downhill quickly

The most common disease in cockatiels are often the result of malnutrition. Visiting your veterinarian (always try to find a good vet in your own area, preferably one who has had considerable experience with birds) for routine health checks will help prevent many diseases and help you in having a healthy, long and satisfying relationship with your cockatiel.

Think about Household dangers include dogs, cats, toxic plants, ceiling fans, hot pans, fires, electric cable and young children. For its safety, a bird needs to stay in a cage when you are not around

Other important thing to remember in helping to keep your bird in good health is maintain a clean cage and environment. Food and water dishes should be changed/cleaned each day. They need plenty of indirect bright light. If the cage receives direct sunlight, be sure to provide ample shade in a large area of the cage, as they should never be left in direct (hot) sunlight.

The cockatiels love to be sprayed with water from a hand sprayer and a few drops of plumage tonic. Keep the bird out of draught until it dries out

Most Cockatiels need about 10-12 hours of sleep a night, or they get crabby or become ill. Its good to cover the birds cage at night

This is a great Question and Answer page from The American Cockatiel Society a good guide for all Cockatiel owners.


How to Identify the Sex of your Cockatiel

Immature grey cockatiels have yellow stripes under the primary wing feathers. A male's stripes only go as far as the elbow and he loses these stripes around 9 months of age. Females' stripes go to the body attachment of the wing and never loses them. Head and facial markings are brighter on males. Colour mutations (Lutino, pied, pearl) may not exhibit the same gender differences in feather pattern. Vocalization is the earliest means of sexing cockatiels - the male has a melodious call; females have more of a monotonous chirp. Cockatiels are prolific year-round breeders. Their offspring are easy to hand-raise, but are reluctant to wean.

Sexing Link 1 - This will take you to another website

Some helpful pictures on this site of many of the different varieties of cockatiel both male and hen to help you to identify the sex of your cockatiel - This will take you to another website


Wing Clipping

This tends to be a hot issue between those who clip wings for safety, taming, and to reduce the escape risk and those who believe as a point of philosophy that birds are inherently entitled to fly. Cockatiels that are allowed unrestricted freedom in the home may lose their tameness and can encounter numerous physical dangers or toxins; therefore, wing clipping is recommended. The goal of clipping the wings is NOT to make the bird incapable of flight, but to prevent it from developing rapid and sustained flight and to prevent escape. A cockatiel will require additional trimming 8-12 weeks after the start of a molt cycle.


For more information on how to clip the cockatiels wing and nails try this link - Wing Clipping article with Diagrams - This will take you to another website

If you do not feel confident to clip your birds wings and nails or have the experience please for the birds safety ask your vet to do it. It may cost money but its better to have a Healthy bird than a maimed one.