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Cockatiel |
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Bird Breeds:
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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.
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