Ask Lafeber

Question:

November 14, 2018

Getting a cockatiel


Hi. I was wondering what your opinion on small-sized parrots for a first-time owner would be. And if there are any red or pink ones I could look into. Are all cockatiels the same colors? Are they talkers? Is it better to own a female or a male, and what are the mating behaviors I have to deal with for both? What months do they normally hit heat mode?


Answer:

Hi Emily,

Cockatiels & parakeets can be good first birds. A hand fed or already tame bird is recommended. There is a species of parakeet known as a Bourke’s Parakeet which are beautiful shades of blue and also come in a pink mutation. These are gentle and generally quiet birds, other than a sweet natural song they have.

Cockatiels and the budgerigar parakeet, which is the common parakeet, are a bit louder. Generally the males make the best pets and talkers. Both come in a large variety of colors and patterns, with the cockatiels mainly being white. grey & yellow. Any bird can become hormonal and this is typically when the weather is warmer. To avoid or minimize the behavior do not provide a nest, bird tent or anything they can shred for nesting material like paper.

Here is a link with more information on different species.

Types of Birds

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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