THE TENDER HEARTED COCKATIEL

THE COCKATIEL, Nymphicus Hollandicu, is an Australian native, second in popularity only to its country-mate, the budgie. This is a wonderful bird for the beginner or novice bird owner; one who wants a docile, friendly, generally quiet avian companion, compared to birds of similar size that can be loud and more expensive. Because the cockatiel is so easy to breed, you should be able to find quality, handfed or tame birds readily available in your area, no matter how remote.

The young, docile cockatiel makes a great "open bin" bird, and can be housed safely with budgies, if you provide enough space. The hands-on approach to selling is a good way to move these birds out the door. Your customer should be able to handle the birds, which means that you will want to buy tame birds and have your staff handle them daily to keep them tame.

The cockatiel is a perennial favorite and should be an easy sell due to its widespread popularity. Most customers will come into your store already knowing what a cockatiel is. Though these birds are available in dozens of mutations, the normal gray and the lutino (yellow) seem to be the most popular-these are the most common-and the grays tend to be the least expensive. Other mutations, such as the pearl and the pied, are second in popularity, with the fancier mutations, such as whiteface and albino, following just after.

Cockatiels, given enough daily human interaction, do not need a companion, though they do enjoy one another's company and will not lose their pet quality if housed together as long as the owners continue to play with them daily. You may want to suggest a pair to a working family or an individual who will not be home for most of the day. A pair will be noisier than a single bird, though cockatiels are not loud. They can also be persistent whistlers, and some males may even learn a few words.

Cockatiel Condos

Bigger is better for this active bird, whose wild cousins fly many miles a day in search of food and water. A cockatiel housed in a small cage will become extremely unhappy and is more prone to health problems, such as obesity which can greatly reduce its lifespan-up to 20 years when properly cared for. Encourage your customers to purchase the largest cage their budgets and space will allow.

Make sure the cage has the proper bar spacing. The cockatiel, whose head is quite narrow, can become stuck between the bars, causing the bird to panic and possibly break its neck.

The cage should have a metal grating on the floor to keep the bird away from its droppings and should have doors that latch securely; these birds can be escape artists and are talented flyers, able to get away fast.

Cockatiels often benefit from a sleeping cage, a smaller cage where they spend the night. This will make the bird feel secure and may help prevent it from injuring itself during night thrashing.

Upgrading Your Cage

Stainless steel cups and heavy ceramic crocks are durable and easy to clean. Two sets of cups make cleaning much easier-the owner need only replace the dirty cups with the clean ones and take care of the mess later. A hooded cup is great for the cockatiel that likes to fling its seed.

Toys are a must for these birds. All hookbills need stimulation, and a variety of toys help keep boredom to a minimum. Make sure your customers stock up on all kinds of toys and explain to them that each kind of toy provides a different type of stimulation: wooden toys for chewing; preening toys, sisal toys and rope toys for preening behavior; puzzle toys for mental stimulation; and acrylic toys for knocking around and durability.

Perches will need an upgrade as well. Cockatiel owners should be encouraged to buy perches of different widths and textures. Manzanita, choya wood and other natural perches are a good choice, as are perches with toys attached.

Cockatiels will often benefit from a cage cover, though some of these birds experience "night frights" that can cause thrashing around the cage. You will want to stock some nightlights to sell to new owners.

Birdy bloomers and seed catchers should be an easy sell as these birds can be messy and you will want to inform your customers about the available products that reduce or prevent mess. A good cage-cleaning solution should be added to the list as well, especially since your customers might not realize that many household-cleaning solutions can be deadly for their birds.

A playgym. is a necessary purchase for the new cockatiel owner, who may not understand yet that their bird has the potential to become a "perch potato," which can cause all kinds of health disorders.

Finally, no new cockatiel owner should be without a book on this bird. Consider throwing in a small cockatiel book as a freebie with the purchase of a cockatiel. If their bird lives a long, happy life, you have the potential to keep a customer for 20 years.

It's what they eat

The cockatiel has a tendency to become obese, sitting at the seed dish all day and picking out its favorites. The cockatiel fed an all seed diet will only live out half of its lifespan, if it's lucky. Beyond encouraging customers to purchase a quality seed mix, instruct them in the feeding of safe fruits, vegetables and table foods. Tell them to start feeding these items the day they bring their new birds home.

A mineral block or cuttlebone is a necessary addition to the cockatiel's diet, especially for a female who will probably have several eggs in her lifetime, even if she is without a male.

Treat sticks and other treats, such as millet spray, are great for the mental stimulation of the cockatiel, but they should be offered sparingly, perhaps-once or twice a week. These birds tend to love seeds to the exclusion of other, healthier foods.

The importance of "Stuff"

If you can manage to sell your new cockatiel customers all the basics and beyond in the initial sale, you may find that you have happier customers. Average customers do not know what goes along with bird ownership, so they may find that the items they are missing make having the bird difficult or inconvenient. Making sure the bird is well equipped when it goes out the door will ensure a happy transition into the home.

COCKATIEL BASICS

• House your cockatiel in the largest cage you can afford. These birds are active and will become unhappy and neurotic in small living spaces.
• If you're unable to give your cockatiel several hours of attention daily, consider getting two birds - this way they can keep each other company. Cockatiels housed in the same cage will retain their pet quality if handled regularly.
• Feed your cockatiel the best foods available, including a good seed mix, fresh fruits and vegetables, and safe table foods. A healthy cockatiel can live up to 20 years of age.
• Buy a playgym. for your bird. Cockatiels tend to become "perch potatoes" and can become obese, causing serious health problems, so make sure your bird gets as much exercise as possible.
• When you're not home during the day, consider playing music or the television for your bird. Or, even better, buy a talking and whistling tape or CD and have your birds learn while you're away.
• Two sets of cage cups will help with cleaning. Rotate clean and dirty cups in and out of the cage daily. This will help to keep your bird healthy.
• Most household cleaners are not safe to use near on your bird's cage. Consider buying bird friendly cleaning solutions from your local pet store.
• Cockatiels tend to have "night frights" during which they thrash around the cage at night; this can cause injury, so consider buying a nightlight to help your bird sleep easier.
• Treats such as seed sticks and millet spray offer wonderful mental stimulation for your cockatiel. Offer these items about once or twice a week.
• Perches are an important part of keeping your cockatiel's feet healthy, so purchase perches that have several different materials, widths and textures.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Nikki Moustaki.

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