There is a very large selection of colour variants in the Cockatiel range, the grey being known as the normal colour, but with the Lutino being very popular. Pearls, pied, splits, reversed etc etc.

They can be housed on their own, in pairs and groups. They are a very popular aviary bird and make great companion pets. They have great voices, and its mainly the cocks that talk, but it has been known for some hens to talk as well.

Hand reared/tame birds are usually more expensive, and love to be with people. They are hardy birds and love to be the centre of attention in a busy household.

I currently have 5 Cockatiels, 3 hens and 2 cock birds. It is always an idea to check out the yellow banding on tail feathers, a good indicator of a hen bird, and also the cheek markings, being bolder and more pronounced in cock birds. Sukula, is a grey with a yellow mask. She is very much a quiet bird and is the Single girl of the flock. Zulu is a plain grey, with a very striking yellow tail, she was donated by a pet store that felt they could not sell her as she was so tatty. Bingo has chosen Zulu as his, he is a plain grey with no big noticeable markings, though he is learning to mimic a few local sounds. I also have a pair of lutino's. They are very striking and always go everywhere together. Sophie, and Bodey were rescued from horrendous conditions and were caught just in time. They were almost completely bald, and full of bleeding sores. they are now back to full fitness, and their favourite snack is some rice and currents mixed with Sweet-corn.

UPDATE 30TH DECEMBER 2001

There are 12 Cockatiels in the flock now, we have lost 2 young to the cold (which came without warning in the middle of the night) but we have also adopted several new birds from people who feel that they can not keep them any longer (for whatever reason) There is Reggie, a white faced male of about 5 years, he is very chatty in Cockatiels, and comes to tell me tales whenever I enter the aviary. Charlie, a pearl who is this years young. He arrived because his ageing owner was worried that if something happens to her Charlie would not have a place to go. Peter no tail, has now got a full tail again :c) They are all settled into their flock and follow each other around, it's quite a sight.


21st April 2002

We have one new resident, she is a pearl Cockatiel who has had severe damage to her wing and only has half a tail. She is fantastic at climbing, but because of her lack of flight she can get into a few scrapes. She is at the moment in quarantine/disabled bay. She will remain there until she gets her bearings in her new home. The pet shop knew they could not sell her because of her condition and offered her to me. She is not tame, but like most Cockatiels she is very curious.

31st July 2002
We have no new Cockatiel residents, and the last one to be added as been out in the flight for a few hours during the day, but she is still unable to fly, but this does not stop her from getting around.


17th July 2003

Well we moved house in April 03, and  we have 12 tiels, 3 of them very disabled who need extra care. They are all a happy bunch and are loving their temporary quarters.

January 7th 2004

Wow it seems a life time ago that I started taking in the waifs and strays and the unwanted, we have got 11 tiels now as one of my "oldies" sadly passed on.  Reggie & Sukula are the best of friends, they keep chatting and singing and performing for me.  I just hope that we can find some way to get a shed so that they can have a flight again instead of the cages they are in.  They seem to love being in the "Country".

June 21st 2005

We have 8 tiels at present, they are all middle aged and oldies, but are thriving.  They love the varied selection of fruit and vegetables and some of them sing me special songs as soon as they lay eyes on me.  They are amazingly creative and fun to be around.

January 7th 2004

We have 5 Budgies at the moment, they are sharing a cage with 3 Java sparows and they seem to all get on very well.

June 21st 2005

Two of our little old ladies have sadly gone on to rainbow bridge, the 3 that we have left are also getting lazy, one had to go on a diet as she became so plums she was having difficulty getting about, but she is now doing much better and is much sleeker.