1. Birds also need physical stimulation.
Some people buy birds because, in their eyes, they are easier to care for than a cat or dog. The dog needs to go outside and get plenty of exercise, the cat needs its space, and the birds just sit in a cage, right?
Wrong! Birds normally fly, that’s how they live in nature. And the cockatoo, even a small bird, will need a lot of exercise. That means he needs a spacious cage and some out-of-cage time every day. That means you will have to be a bit patient while he is pacing the room and please leave the windows and doors closed while he is busy doing that. The bird needs to be supervised at all times while it is enjoying its exercise, because it could fall behind the furniture and injure itself.
2. Your ‘tiel also has emotional needs.
Cockatoos are social birds, living in a flock and tending not to do well alone. If you’re planning to get a bird, be aware of the fact that cockatiels have the emotional intelligence of a 2-year-old human, that means it’s needy!
You will need to spend at least two hours every day with your pet. That does not mean that you will have to be with him for two hours, but at least you should be very close to him during that time, he will try to interact with you and communicate his needs. You can listen to music, read aloud to him or just talk to him. The bird will like to perch on you and watch you do your chores or just relax.
If you are a busy person, coming home late from work, eating on the run while watching the latest on Netflix, and then going to bed, then you will have a really depressed cockatiel, with behavioral problems and eventually health problems.
3. They tend to live a long time.
If cared for properly, cockatoos can reach up to 14 years of age. That is a long time. Keep in mind that the cockatiel will really bond with you and will have trouble adjusting to a new environment and a new human being. If you can’t commit to caring for a bird for at least 7-10 years, just don’t buy it. Buy a cute little mouse.
4. They have behavior problems.
Cockatoos like to sing and vocalize, they will try to communicate with birds outside and, like any other bird, they will be especially noisy in the morning and at night. But I already had my boy for 4 years and my neighbors did not suspect that he had a bird in my house.
But if they’re not stimulated enough or don’t have a routine, you might run into a screeching bird. The bored cockatoo, not getting the attention it needs, will try to get it by making a lot of noise. And if you don’t react appropriately, this behavior will escalate and it will be really hard to unlearn.
So if you like peace and quiet, get a cat. If you don’t have the patience or time to stimulate your bird, get a fish. It’s better for everyone.
5. They need a specialized vet.
Caring for cockatiels is an easy job, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on their appetite, their water intake, and make sure they have a variety of foods in their diet. Cockatoos are birds of prey, so they will try to hide the fact that they are sick until they can no longer do so. You will need to become an expert in your bird’s behavior by closely watching their patterns and also their droppings, as these can tell a lot about the health of your birds.
If you do get sick, you’ll need to find a doctor who has some experience treating exotic pets, while most vets specialize in treating dogs and cats.
6. They are fragile birds.
When it comes to the environment, cockatiels are really sensitive. enjoy a routine – turn lights on/off at specific times, enjoy consistency and don’t like change much. Actually, they are afraid For this. So they need someone who can maintain order and consistency over long periods of time.
Also, they are fragile birds, they sometimes have night frights and will need your immediate attention, otherwise they could get hurt.
They are not very suitable for small children. They are beautiful, sometimes majestic and very friendly, perfect target for children, but they need to be handled with care, so they are best suited to older children. So keep that in mind when buying one.
If you can handle all of the above then you should know that cockatoos make excellent companions, they are friendly, quirky and sometimes empathetic, very pleasant to watch and can entertain you and your guests with beautiful songs and vocalizations. If cared for properly, your bird will become your best friend.
Best of luck!
