Cockatiels are small, colorful birds from the cockatoo family. They have a prominent crest on their head. Cockatiels are easier to tame than other types of parrots, thanks to their smaller size. Plus, they can mimic speech just as well as other parrots, although it can sometimes be challenging to understand them. Cockatiel owners often wonder how to determine the age of their bird. Keep reading for various ways how to tell the age of a cockatiel.
How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel?
A crucial way to discern a cockatiel’s age is by looking for physical changes since hatching, as different from Hatchlings to Adults. Cockatiels, like other bird species, will go through many physiological alterations during their lifespans–some of which are comparable the human experience.
Adolescence
The adolescent stage for cockatiels begins when they molt for the first time, usually between 6 and 12 months old. Females become less colorful during this time, while males may see a change in color on their cheeks and at the bottom of their flight feathers.
Body Size
adult birds are significantly larger than fledgling birds, generally spanning 12 to 13 inches. You’ll also notice that the patches on their cheeks will have grown considerably and may now cover almost their entire face. If you see a bird with an enlarged cheek patch, it’s likely quite old, so you might want to avoid purchasing one in this condition.
Beaks
How to tell the age of a cockatiel through their beaks? Features like the face and beak can give away a cockatiel’s age. For example, young cockatiels often have an immature birds face. Additionally, they tend to have bigger, more exposed beaks because the feathers on the side of their beaks are shorter. In contrast, elderly bird or older cockatiels usually have smaller beaks since the adult feathers around their beaks cover most of it.
Sleeping Hours
Young cockatiels tend to sleep more. Cockatiels that are a few weeks or months old may sleep more than young bird. Your pet birds can rest for up to 17-18 hours each day, in addition to daytime naps. Young birds spend the normal 10-14 hours sleeping every day.
Pelvic Bones
How to tell the age of a cockatiel through their pelvic bones? You may use this function to estimate cockatiel age, particularly if you’ve previously owned adult cockatiels or baby cockatiels. The pelvic bones of a female cockatiel widen with age. When the distance between her legs is wide, she is prepared to lay eggs.
Courting Behavior
The courting behavior of a cockatiel may reveal its age. Male cockatiels begin strutting and hopping when they are roughly six months old, while female cockatiels become broody at around ten to eighteen months. Then, in order to build a nest for their eggs, they may start digging.
Tail Feathers
A cockatiel’s tail feathers are equal in length to the body until the bird is one year old. After that, the feathers start growing longer than the size of the body.
Crest
How to tell the age of a cockatiel through their crest? A baby cockatiel‘s crest is usually short with feathers that are stick straight. As for mature birds, its crest will be longer and have a slight bend backward.
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How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel- Origins
Cockatiels are native to Australia, where they’re known as quarrions or weiros. In the wild, these birds live in large flocks and have characteristics similar to other larger birds. Cockatiels became popular household pets in the 1900s, although it is no longer possible to capture and export them from Australia. They are also docile, pleasant, and easy to breed in captivity, making them an ideal choice for human companionship.
Temperament
Not only are cockatiel birds beautiful, but they typically have lovely personalities too. If you love bird-watching or simply keeping feathered friends as pets, then you may enjoy owning a cockatiel. These animals make gentle and affable companions that can form long-lasting bonds with their human caretakers– especially if the bird was born and raised in captivity from a young age. So if you’re looking for an addition to your family that will brighten up both your home and your life, why not consider adopting a cockatiel?
How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel- Interesting Details
Few people know how special cockatiels are, even though they are owned by many around the world. You’ll be surprised at how perfect they are and that you can use them to explain various complex biological concepts! For example:
Cockatiels’ head crest feathers are used to convey their mood to their owners or other cockatiels. By simply moving the crest feathers, a cockatiel may express its “temper.”
Each bird possesses its own distinct personality, of course. Cockatiels, on the other hand, tend to use a well-established show system. It may straighten its crest when indicating danger or interest. When it sees something new after you frighten it or when it becomes excited over a treat, this usually happens.
In contrast, if a cockatiel’s crest is flattened, it means the bird is either frightened or angry. The bird may also make a hissing noise to emphasize its feelings.
How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel- Bottom Line
How to tell the age of a cockatiel? The fact that cockatiels can live up to 16 to 25 years in captivity is one of the reasons why some people choose them. These birds may survive up to 16 years in captivity. This means that if you buy a newborn cockatiel for your children, they will grow up together. Come to think of it, determining its age won’t be as difficult!
