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Cockatiel Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? (In The Wild & As Pet)

Cockatiels are the most popular pet bird within the parrot family. They are indigenous to Australia, where they also go by the names quarrions and weiros. Cockatiels are renowned for their warmth and gentleness.

Whether you already own a cockatiel or are intending to bring one home, determining how long it will live is an essential aspect of pet ownership.

A cockatiel as a pet can live up to 25 years; some have survived much longer. This implies that cockatiel ownership is a long-term commitment.

Continue reading "Cockatiel Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? (In The Wild & As Pet)" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) for further Cockatiel Lifespan-related information.

Lifespan of the Cockatiel

In the wild, cockatiels often live between 10 and 15 years.

Yet, a well-cared-for tame cockatiel may survive an average of 20 to 25 years, thanks in part to a balanced and nutritious diet.

Sunshine, a cockatiel from the United States, is the oldest cockatiel on record, according to the Guinness World Records. She was 32 years old as of 2016. As there have been no official updates on Sunshine since then, it is difficult to determine whether she beat her own record.

You may take efforts to assist your cockatiel live a long life. Several elements of your cockatiel’s health are under your control, despite the fact that heredity and health problems may occasionally be beyond your control.

Bonding

When bringing a cockatiel into the home, it must be at least 12 weeks old. These birds are extremely delicate and gregarious and will require a great deal of TLC. A cockatiel’s lifespan will be extended if it resides in a caring, stress-free environment and receives the necessary care.

Diet

This distinguishes captive cockatiels from their wild counterparts. Good feeding will help your cockatiel live longer.

You may supply your cockatiel either cockatiel-specific high-quality pellets or high-quality seed mixtures. But, seeds and pellets should not constitute your bird’s whole food. You will need to supplement their diet with a range of foods that imitate their natural diet.

Examples include:

  • Fresh fruit (every other day): mangoes, berries, papayas, grapes, etc.
  • Veggies (every other day): lettuce, spinach, kale, celery, etc.
  • Treats (once a month): honey stick, millet spray (can be helpful with training)
  • Minerals: You may provide your cockatiel with a mineral block or cuttlebone.

Always ensure that your cockatiel has regular access to fresh and clean water. This should be made available in two distinct ways. For instance, a bottle and a plate.

Health

It is essential to monitor your cockatiel’s overall health and note any personality, behavior, and physical changes.

Observe the following issues:

  • Stress: 

Cockatiels are highly sensitive and susceptible to being stressed. Spend time with your bird, give it toys, and try to keep its environment as calm and stress-free as possible. The cockatiel requires around 10 to 12 hours of sleep every night; thus, you should ensure that its cage is placed in a setting conducive to a restful night’s sleep.

  • Obesity:

​​​​​​​Ensure that your cockatiel has a well-balanced food and many opportunity for exercise.

  • Check-ups:

​​​​​​​Locate a bird-savvy veterinarian and bring your cockatiel in for an annual checkup. Birds have a tendency to conceal when anything is wrong, so it may be too late to save your cockatiel if it begins to display symptoms of disease.

  • Air quality: â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹

Birds have fragile respiratory systems and should be kept free from cigarette smoke, candle smoke, perfume, and air freshener emissions, among others.

Exercise

Possessing a spacious cage for your cockatiel is essential, but it is not sufficient for adequate exercise. You should provide your cockatiel with the opportunity to fly approximately twice every day.

Ensure that your bird can perch on your finger, and use food to encourage it back into its cage.

Toys may also be enriching for your cockatiel and provide it with a variety of exercise options.

Safety

Keeping your cockatiel secure from accidents and injury will, of course, go a long way toward ensuring that it lives a long life. Constantly monitor your cockatiel when it is outside of its cage, especially if you have other animals or small children.

Always ensure that all doors and windows are shut whenever your bird is exercising. You should also ensure that any toys you buy for your cockatiel are safe and that the room in which it will fly has been cockatiel-proofed.

Cleanliness

Keeping your cockatiel and its environment clean might contribute to its happiness and health. You must guarantee that your bird receives a regular bath and maintain its cage clean.

  • Daily: The cage lining should be replaced and the food and water bowls and bottles should be cleaned with warm, soapy water. This includes the birdbath as well.
  • Weekly: You must clean the bottom tray and grate as well as any perches and platforms.
  • Monthly: You must scrub the whole cage, including the bars, every month.

Maintaining your cockatiel’s health via proper hygiene will, of course, result in a longer life.

How Old is Your Cockatiel?

If you are unsure of your cockatiel’s age, there are certain physical indicators that might help you determine it. Obviously, a skilled avian veterinarian may be able to estimate your bird’s age, but if your cockatiel is still young, you can use the following methods to calculate its age:

  • Males sing more frequently than females, although immature cockatiels do not sing or do not sing clearly.
  • Men will not demonstrate courtship activity until roughly six months of age. Females don’t become broody until they are around 1 year old.
  • Until a juvenile male does its first molt, he will truly resemble a female. The face of the male will be gray instead of golden. Typically, the first molt happens after six months of age.

There are extremely subtle indicators on the cockatiel’s face and feet that can give you an estimate of its age, but you will need a fair amount of skill to recognize them.

Conclusion

It’s astonishing how being in a home as opposed to the wild affects a cockatiel’s longevity!

As previously stated in “Cockatiel Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? (In The Wild & As Pet)” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org), if you take great care of your cockatiel, it will remain with you for an extended period of time.

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Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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