Q&A for How to Take Care of a Cockatiel

Pick up a cage, food, perches, a carrying cage, and at least 3-4 different toys.

Purchase a variety of different toys, along with different types of perches, and a swing. A play stand can also be helpful when you have playtime away from the cage.

Your cockatiel will make noise if you leave the room because they are calling you and want you back in sight.

You should always have a leash or harness on your cockatiel when it's outside since it could be easily startled and glide away, even with clipped wings.

You can feed it apples and sometimes bananas. Do not give your bird an entire piece of fruit at once, however -- just small pieces.

Anything that's smaller, like budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels, Quaker parrots, Senegal parrots, etc.

Unless your cockatiel is molting, you should go and see a vet as soon as possible. The loss of feathers could mean an infection or mites.

Cockatiels are tropical birds and should be kept away from air conditioning vents and overhead fans. Your house, or the room the bird is kept in, should not dip below 65 degrees. In some cases, a blanket may help overnight.

This is either a symptom of age or a sickness of some kind. Take him to the vet, because cockatiels only show sickness when they are really ill.

Yes, you should be able to move your bird to a larger cage without much concern. Your bird may sit on one particular perch for a while taking in its surroundings, but then it will start to move around.

Bonding with your bird can take time. Play games with your bird to gain his trust.

It should be changed because it can attract harmful bacteria. Also, your bird might run out of water or food.

No this is not stressful for the bird. Most cages one can remove food and water holders from the outside without disturbing the bird. Show the helper how to talk softly and calmly to the bird and discuss things to be careful about so that the helper does everything right. Give the helper your contact details in case they have questions about the care arrangements.

You should get your cockatiel's wings trimmed every other month. It cost as low as $7. You should get your cockatiel checked about twice a year. The cost will vary.

It depends on how much attention you give to the bird. You should give at least an hour of attention to your bird every day (depending on the breed). If you are worried that you won't be able to spend that much time with your bird, a second bird wouldn't be a bad idea.

It is better to get two of the same sex. If you get a male and a female, they will spend more time with each other trying to breed and may lose some of their tameness. Breeding cockateils is not a good idea, as the chicks would need to be tamed; they would also need good, loving, and caring homes.

Yes, you can. Try giving him a treat whenever you tell him to be quiet and he complies.

You just have to work with him. If he won't step up normally, go behind his legs and make him step up backwards.

Buy hand feeding formula and try to feed the others. Remove the nesting box after the babies are grown up. It could be that the birds just aren't good parents, and it would be good to prevent them from breeding (by not putting a nest box in) unless you want to hand feed again. Although, hand feeding results in a tamer bird as it gets used to humans!

Yes! Cockatiels enjoy vegetables and fruits (make sure that you look up any fruits or vegetables that could be harmful). They also enjoy other special treats that are low in sodium and sugar, like cheerios.

If you're still capable of providing for the bird and giving it the attention it needs every day, then yes.

If the chick is under 1.5 weeks, and if the parents don't feed it either, make a brooder and keep the chick there. Call your local bird farm or bird breeder.

You don't. Take them to a vet or avian specialty store. Clippings can cost as low as US$7 for birds as small as cockatiels. You can clip them yourself but it is highly recommended that you get them done by a professional.

Yes, you can keep the cage open as long as your windows and doors are closed and any fans you have are turned off.

It's very interested in the texture and wants to find out how it tastes.

It isn't about age in this circumstance but responsibility. From the little revealed here, this 14 year old girl in question appears to not yet be responsible enough or prepared to care for another cockatiel. Do not compromise the health and safety of the bird unless you are willing to be its primary carer at this stage.

Wear gloves and buy a small carrier cage (only for transport). Make the cockatiel sit on a pencil or stick and place it in the carrier cage.

Yes. It will just take time. It is on his terms rather than yours, so it may take a bit longer. Just keep offering him treats.

Just put your hand in their cage once in a while. Once the bird is used to it being there, it will come to it.

You should feed them different kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.