Parrotmania UK
If it fits in my beak i Want it!!  If it dosn't fit in my beak i still want it!!!


DESCRIPTION

12 to 14 inches (30 to 35cm).

The Cockateil resembles a cockatoo, which shares the head crest, but has a long tail, where the cockatoo has a short one.

Although available in other colourings, one of the most common strains has a yellow throat and head with greyish-blue crest and beak, orangish marks on ears, white wing coverts, brown eyes. There are many mutations.

The Cockateil is also known for its variable pied form, and another of the commonly known has borders of white on the edge of the wings along mostly grey body.

The female's facial markings are duller and wing coverts greyer. The young can resemble females, but the cere is pink, not grey ,and the tail is shorter

The Cockateil usually lives between 10 to 25 years.

Females have a barring or stripey pattern under tail and spots on underside of wings, where the males are plain both under the tail and under the wings.

DIET

Grain mixes for medium parrots,
Mixed seeds,
Millet,
Sunflower seed kernels,
Hemp,
Safflower,
Apples,
Plenty of fruit and veggies.


SPECIAL NEEDS

It is advisable to pair by placing an inexperienced bird with one that has raised family, this reduces the risk of infertile eggs and chicks that die after hatching due to both parents being inexperianced.

Tame pet Cockateils should be in a  roomy cage, large enough to allow the bird to flap its wings without hitting them on the cage and should be allowed out of the cage for daily free flight.

Cockateils will readily breed in roomy aviary when housed by themselves.


CAGE LIFE

Cockateils are a graceful and peacefull aviary or cage bird, not usually aggressive and can be easily trained and the
males in paticular can talk and mimic. They have a pleasant song, and can sometimes be noisy.
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BREEDING

When they are disturbed during nesting, they may hiss and swing their body, they can be very protective of their young and may attack if they think that their young are in danger.

Aviary must be at least at least 6 feet (2m) long, and 6 feet (2m) wide

The nest box should be around 13 X 8 X 18 Inches (35 X 20 X 45cm),  with an entrance diameter 2-3 inches (6cm) - low enough so chicks can stick heads out and make peeping/ hissing sound and so bird on the nest can see out. Sawdust, peat moss, wood shavings or shredded newspaper can be used as nesting material.

The Cockateil will lay between 4 to 8 white eggs, on alternate days and may either start incubating from the time the first egg is laid or may wait until the full clutch is laid then start incubation, which lasts 21days, both the male and the female will incubate the eggs. The chicks are fully weened and independant by 10 weeks but will still be fed by their parents for some time.



Baths:

Most birds love a daily bath which helps  keep the feathers in good condition. A dish of warm water in the cage or a factory made bird bath, which fits on the outside of the cage on the door opening will be accepted by most birds, but remember to fasten it to the door opening properly to avoid it falling off or the bird squeezing around the sides and escaping. Remember to bath the bird early enough so it will dry before roosting for the night.

Moulting
Is when the bird looses feathers gradually, at the same time new feathers appear. A moulting tonic can be given at this time to aid growth of new feathers. If the bird looses a lot of feathers all at once and is left with bald patches this needs to be addressed, as the bird is plucking itself.

Toenails

Overgrown claws need to be clipped, as they can get caught up in the bars or anything that the bird walks on and can cause injury. But it is imperitive not to cut into the blood vein that runs into the nail, as birds have very little blood, and even a teaspoon lost by a bird as small as a cockateil may be fatal. If you have never done it, it is wise to have an Avian vet or a breeder to show you how to do it.

Mites

Cause itching, plucking and loss of weight, these are usually 'Red Mite' and a spray especially for birds is obtainable from pet shops To check for mites, cover the cage ith a white cloth at night and white paper on the bottom, then in the morning, with a magnifying glass, examine the cloth and the paper, you will be able to see tiny red dots, these are the mites If at any time your bird seems unwell, loss of appetite, listless and feathers fluffed up, keep it warm in the region 80'f and get help from an Avian vet.

Toys

A variety of toys are available, and are essential to prevent boredom. a bored bird, no matter what it's size will become noisy, may pluck its feathers, or become dectructive. several are needed, and roating them for variaton is recommended.



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