When they're taken good care of and given good homes, cockatiels can be great pets. Here's some information you need to know about a cockatiel bird.

What is a cockatiel?

The cockatiel bird is a variety of parrot that is also a smaller version of the cockatoo. Cockatoos are common pet birds that have large feather masses on top of their heads. A cockatiel is a derivative of the cockatoo but is smaller and has a less pronounced display of feathers on his head. Cockatiels come in a variety of colors including yellow, white and gray. Often times they have orange circles on their cheeks, which makes them look like they put on blush.

Why is a cockatiel a good pet?

The cockatiel bird is a good pet because they are generally very social and, if taken good care of, will live a long life. It's not uncommon for the bird to live 12-15 years. If you're going to get a cockatiel bird, make sure that you have plenty of time to devote to the animal. Because a cockatiel bird is so social, he needs a lot of interaction with humans. They also like a lot of noise and will react well if they're placed in a room that gets a lot of action. The cockatiel bird is also a good pet because they are intelligent and can be taught to talk if they have a dedicated owner.

The cockatiel bird is a lot cleaner than other birds in the parrot family. Part of this is just their nature and part of it is because the cockatiel bird is smaller than other parrots, so they have less mess to create. The cockatiel bird also isn't as feisty as your average parrot, so they're responsive and non-threatening to kids.

What else should I know about a cockatiel?

The cockatiel bird needs to be well taken care of or he will get sick. Birds in general are prone to illness and when they're in captivity, they need their human owners to look out for what's in their best interest.

A cockatiel bird should have a cage that's large enough for it to use as a gym. The cage should contain several different perches so the cockatiel bird can use the perches as an exercise machine. The cage should also have plenty of clean food and water. Water should be changed daily and the food should be checked on a daily basis.

Before you get a cockatiel bird, think about whether you want a male or female bird. Males are chattier than their female counterparts, but the male cockatiel bird can also be more aggressive.