Cockatiel
DESCRIPTION
12 to 14 inches (30 to 35cm). Resembles cockatoo, but has long tail. Although available in other colourings, the most common Cockatiel has yellow throat and head with greyish-blue crest and beak, orangish marks on ears, white wing coverts, brown eyes. Known for its variable pied form, borders of white along mostly grey body. Female's facial markings duller and wing coverts greyer. Young resemble female, but the cere is pink, not grey, and tail is shorter.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Most of Australia, rarer along coast; introduced to Tasmania.
HABITAT
Savannah, grassland, cleared country, near water. Usually in pairs, sometimes in flocks damaging to crops, especially sunflower, sorghum and millet. Nests in tree hollows and close to water. Usually breeds after rainfall.
DIET
Grain mixes for medium parrots, plain canary seeds, millet, sunflower seed kernels, hemp, safflower, apples, carrots and green food.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Pair by placing inexperienced bird with one that has raised family. Keep tame Cockatiels in a room cage, with daily free flight. Will readily breed in roomy aviary when housed by themselves.
CAGE LIFE
A Cockatiel is graceful and peaceable aviary or cage bird. Can talk and mimic, and cock especially has pleasant song; sometimes noisy. Hisses and swings body when disturbed while nesting. Lives 10 to 25 years. Aviary at least 6Vz feet (2m) long. Nest box 13 X 8 X 18 inches (35 X 20 X 45cm), entrance diameter 23/s inches (6cm) - low enough so chicks can stick heads out and make peeping/ hissing sound and so bird on the nest can see out. Line bottom with sawdust or peat moss. Lays 4 to 8 white eggs, incubation 18 to 21 days (male during day, female at night), fledging 30 to 35 days, fed by parents for some time.