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Require High Standards
When purchasing a pet cockatiel, or foundation breeding
stock, be certain to make your selection from a facility that is
clean and cares for its birds adequately. Some retail pet stores
maintain very high standards, keeping birds isolated behind
glass or in a separate room and provide a varied diet that
includes fresh food and other extras. Similarly, there are
professional and hobby breeders who go to great pains to
feed, house and maintain their breeding stock with utmost
care. Unfortunately, these are stores and breeders who do a
poor job of maintaining healthy conditions.

Visit the Premises
For that reason it is a good idea to visit the premises where
you are considering a purchase. Most reputable breeders
welcome the opportunity to show their aviary. Aviary visits are
usually scheduled by appointment, so the breeder has time to
discuss the diet and care you plan to give any bird you may
buy. Literature, such as general diet and care handouts and
other important information will be given to you at this time. If a
purchase is made, breeders who close band their birds with
traceable aluminum leg bands usually provide a pedigree or
birth certificate record that will include the bird’s date of birth,
gender (if known), color variety and parental background.


Advertisements and References
Care needs to be exercised when turning to printed
advertisements to purchase cockatiels. For example, ads
listing a “pair” for sale merely guarantee two birds are
available, not necessarily that the pair consists of a male and
a female. To purchase a bona fide male and female, look for
advertisements listing a proven pair, which indicates the pair
has already produced fertile eggs.

It is a good idea to secure references before purchasing a bird
from an unknown source. Ask for references that you can
check yourself, not simply ones provided by the breeder. First
rate references come from well-known breeders; local and
national bird clubs; and trusted pet and retail outlets, zoos and
private aviaries.


Gender Identification
Determining the sex of cockatiels is relatively easy, compared
to other birds. In the majority of color mutations, including the
nominate Normal Grey, adult males can be identified by their
solid yellow faces with bright orange cheek patches. Males of
the Whiteface series carry a pure white mask. However, there
are exceptions to this simple definition, depending upon the
color mutations involved. In these instances, the cock’s
behavior of strutting, bowing and whistling serenades helps
distinguish it from the hen. Sometimes, the purchaser must
rely upon the breeder’s word for gender information, all the
more reason to find a reputable breeder.


Young Birds
Another factor to consider before purchasing a bird, or a pair
of birds, is age. Always attempt to secure young birds. If the
bird is to be sold as a pet, a young bird will be more receptive
and impressionable. This applies not only to taming and
teaching the bird to talk, but also in teaching correct eating
habits. Older birds are more stubborn and resistant to change,
so the younger the bird, the better for you both.


Breeders
Those seeking an established, proven pair of cockatiels for
breeding will also want to obtain young birds. Young, proven
pairs can be quite productive, safely throwing two clutches of
four to six babies each year. More mature pairs – 10 years of
age or older – may still be able to breed, but such activity can
be more taxing, or even dangerous, to older birds. Some of
the warning signs that a pair should be retired include poor
breeding results; soft-shelled eggs, denoting a loss of calcium
that can lead to osteoporosis, especially in hens; and other
stress markers.

Although it would be ideal to obtain a proven pair that is still
young, breeders often will not part with such birds. The next
best option is to purchase a young, unproven pair, providing
the breeder will guarantee their genders as one male and one
female. A young pair can be set up to breed as soon as they
enter the breeding cycle, which is usually by 12 to 18 months
of age.


Weaned Youngsters
One caution about buying young birds; always buy cockatiels
that are fully weaned, especially if you have never handled
hand-feeding before. Most breeders consider birds weaned
once they are fully eating on their own and filling their crops
every night for about a week. Many a saddened pet owner has
been devastated by the loss of a new pet because they did not
receive adequate information on how to wean a baby that is
not yet independent.

"Providing Resources
to the
Cockatiel Community"

CF
The Cockatiel
Foundation, founded in
June 2007, began out
of a growing need in
the avicultural
community to address
all areas of cockatiel
culture. The Foundation
offers its members
programs for pet
owners, breeders and
exhibitors, in addition to
services never before
addressed in the
cockatiel community.

CF is establishing a
Cockatiel Adoption &
Placement Program
necessary for the
placement and
rehoming of cockatiels
to new, permanent
"forever" homes.

CF address the needs
of our Youth Members
in the CF Youth &
Education Program
developed for
tomorrows' next
generation of cockatiel
aviculturists.

Additional special
interest programs
include:
Companion Care
Nutrition
Avian Medicine
Hobby Breeding
Professional Breeding
Color Mutations
Genetics
Exhibition
and more ...

The Cockatiel
Foundation serves all
cockatiel owners needs
- from breeders,
exhibitors, and pet
companion bird owners
- to cockatiel adoption,
placement and youth
education for
tomorrows cockatiel
afficianados. Please
read our Membership
benefits and peruse
the website.

When you join as a CF
Member, you will have
access to the Members'
Only Area.

COME JOIN US!

About the Author
Linda S. Rubin is an aviculturist, lecturer and avian educator of 30
years, with an international byline in avicultural magazines around the
world and author of several books at www.CockatielsPlusParrot s.com.
She is the cockatiel expert columnist for Bird Talk’s website,
BirdChannel.com, she serves on the board of directors of the American
Federation of Aviculture, Inc. and is the founding president of the
Cockatiel Foundation, Inc. Linda is a certified panel judge for the
Cockatiel Foundation, and the Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors,
judging shows throughout the US, Puerto Rico and Canada since 1984.

PURCHASING COCKATIELS
COPYRIGHT © 2000 LINDA S. RUBIN
Reprinted from the April 2000 issue of BIRD TIMES Magazine
December 2002 issue of UK BIRDKEEPER
"All Rights Reserved"

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Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community

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Mike & Betty Petty
Shirley J. Bigham
Sandra Trottier
Sandra Trottier
Nancy Johnson-Mello

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