Cockatiels and other Small Hookbills

Hookbills are generally seed eating birds that have a hook shaped bill that they use to crack open seeds and nuts and to tear fruit. Most are native to tropical areas of the world.

Cockatiels are native to grasslands of Australia. The normal color found in nature is grey with some white wing feathers, an orange cheek patch and a yellow feather crest on the head. Generally the males have a brighter orange cheek patch, but this is not always true. Through selective breeding in captivity a wide range of color variations are now available. Cockatiels can be taught to talk, but are much more reknowned for their whistling mimicry.

Lovebirds are native to Africa. There are several different species that vary in size and coloration. All are small stocky birds with short tails with distinct color patterns.

There are many other small hookbilled birds available for pets such as conures, grassland parakeets, ring necked parakeets,  and Quaker parakeets. These all vary in temperament, activity level and talking or mimicking ability.

The information offered here is very general. Before purchasing any bird, carefully research the specific needs of the species that you are planning to buy.

Diet

Generally Small Hookbills are fed a wide variety of foods, with a seed mix or pelleted food serving as the foundation for the complete diet. Cockatiel mixes are usually the foundation of the diet for any of these small hookbils. A Cockatiel seed mix is usually a millet based mixture of seeds that also has sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, buckwheat, oats, and cracked corn. Often, more exotic blends also contain dehydrated fruits and vegetables. Seed diets can be deficient in vitamins K and D, so the addition of green and yellow vegetables and fruit is essential. Use of an avian daily multivitamin is recommended. These are usually water soluble and can be added to the drinking water or sprinkled over the food. If the vitamin is added to the water, the water container must be thoroughly washed each day.

Almost anything that you eat can be offered in small quantities. (No chocolate, alcohol, avocado, and very little highly acidic foods like citrus and tomato.) A variety diet makes for a much happier, healthier bird.

Fresh water should always be available.

Housing

Cockatiels are housed in cages. There are hundreds of shapes and sizes of cages available. Some considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a cage are the size of the cage, the size of door opening, the gauge of the wire, and the spacing of the wire.

The cage should be at least large enough for the bird to be able to turn around completely and flap it's wings with out touching the wires. The door opening must be large enough for you to reach in with your hand and remove the bird from the cage easily. The gauge of the wire must be heavy enough so that the bird can't bite through it or break the welds.

These birds are very active, and generally are best kept in a cage that is rectangular and has perches at opposing ends.

The wires should be spaced closely enough to keep the bird from putting it's head through the opening. Wire spacing of 5/8" to 3/4" is recommended for cockatiels and small hookbills.

A pull out tray at the bottom makes for easier cleaning. A wire grate mounted on the bottom of the cage above this tray keeps the bird from digging through the litter.

Handling & Care

Most Cockatiels and small hookbills now available for sale in the U.S. are domestically raised and many have been hand fed. A young hand-fed bird makes a much more desirable companion. Learn how to handle your bird and do so daily to keep it tame and affectionate.

Clipping the wings is recommended to keep the bird manageable. Wing clipping when done correctly does not hurt the bird, and is not permanent. The clipped feathers with be replaced the next time the bird molts.

Birds keep their plumage in peak condition by preening. You can encourage this by occasionally spraying your bird with warm water. Use a clean spray bottle that has never been used for anything else, and mist the bird with warm water.

Special Considerations

These birds can live 15 or more years. Purchasing one is along term commitment and the decision to buy one should not be taken lightly.