Cockatiels are known for being the smaller version of parrots. They are very vocal, which has become their way to make their human friends happy.
Spending time with these lovely birds, whose feathers are mostly mutated in flashes of white and grey, will instantly reduce your stress.
One characteristic that makes Cockatiels amusing is their ability to express emotions. You will know if they are relaxed when the crest on their head starts sloping. On the other hand, they are angry when their crest flattens close to the head. When the bird is excited, its crest stands up straight.
Having said these, you might be asking at this moment, “How much does it need to own a Cockatiel?”
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Owning a Cockatiel – Cost Overview
If you are considering buying a Cockatiel, you must know that there are other expenses involved in purchasing this kind of bird. Of course, you will need to provide a living for your pet in order for it to fulfill its responsibility of being a good companion to you.
In this article, you will learn about various things that are necessary for owning a Cockatiel and the other expenditures for maintenance include shelter, food, and your pet’s health. This post will also enumerate some factors that would affect the prices of this bird.
Starting Expenditures for Cockatiels
Expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $250 for a Cockatiel on average, depending on a variety of circumstances. The cost varies according to the species of bird and the place of purchase.
Online stores such as BirdBreeders.com offer a variety of prices for cockatiels. In the stores, the least expensive is $175, and the most expensive is $475. Prices depend on bird colors and breeds. Meanwhile, stores like The Bird Shop sell different types of cockatiels in a variety of colors for a flat rate of $299.
The different types of cockatiels that you can find in the bird market are Normal Grey, Lutino, Pied, Cinnamon, White/Whiteface/Albino and Pearl cockatiels.
The table below summarizes the different cocktail types and their expected prices.
| Cockatiel Type | Average Price Range |
| Normal Grey | $60 – $80 |
| Lutino Cockatiel | $150 – $250 |
| Pied Cockatiel | $110 – $170 |
| Cinnamon Cockatiel | $130 – $160 |
| White/Whiteface or Albino Cockatiel | $200 – $300 |
| Pearl Cockatiel | $150 – $200 |
A typical grey cockatiel will likely be the one you can purchase for the least amount of money. Online stores typically charge lower prices than physical stores do. Adopting cockatiels from shelters and rescue organisations will be an excellent choice, though, if money is short. Cockatiels can be found for adoption on websites such as pets.overstock.com and burgebirdrescue.com. Cockatiel adoption fees only cost a little sum of money, ranging from $30 to $100. Additionally, you must follow the adoption procedure.
The Cost of Maintaining a Cockatiel
Aside from the bird itself, an interested owner of Cockatiels should prepare for necessary expenses which include:
- Cage – You may not want to lose your pet for giving it freedom all day. So, cages are necessary as habitats for your Cockatiels to rest and play safely. Prices range from $35 to $400 depending on the size, design, and quality of the cage.
- Food and Water Bowls – It is a waste of time to always feed your Cockatiels with your bare hands. Along with the cage, you have to buy food and water bowls for your and your bird’s convenience. Prices for the bowls start at $1.5 in trusted pet stores.
- Toys – To make your bird comfortable in its territory, fill the cage with toys such as swings, ladder, and perches. Pet-accessory stores sell toys of your choice at $3 to $50 depending on their features.
- Cleaning Materials – Once your cockatiel’s habitat is fully set up, expect it to be dirty with faeces sticking to it. You will need cleaning materials such as brushes, poop removers, or even bathtubs for your bird. You can purchase these at $3 to $20.
- Bird Carrier (Optional) – Cockatiels love it when you get to bond with them outside. This activity makes them comfortable with you. If you need bird carriers, PetCo.com sells various types for as low as $30.
The Cost for Maintaining a Cockatiel
A Cockatiel eats 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of food every day. You can choose to have a pelleted diet, which can cost as little as $10 in PetCo. This 22 oz food contains ingredients such as Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Soy Meal, Soy Oil, Alfalfa etc.
However, if you want to go with seed feeding for your bird, the same store offers a 10 oz. crop of seeds and grains with the primary flavor of vegetables with ingredients like raisins, safflower seed, oat groats, sunflower seed, red millet, canary grass seed, dehydrated carrots, etc. for as low as $4.
Cockatiel Treatment Costs
Another cost of owning a Cockatiel is a veterinary check-up. When your bird tends to sleep all day and shows signs of sickness, you need to go to your nearest veterinarian. Veterinary visits can cost you around $40 to $60 per bird, with prices soaring up to $100 for emergency care.
The following are some of the most common cockatie health issues:
- Avian Chlamydiosis
- Protozoal Infection
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Feather Plucking
What May Affect the Cost of Cockatiels?
When looking to buy a cockatiel, the prices you’ll come across may differ from what you’re looking for. That’s because many factors impact its pricing. They are:
- Breed – Since Cockatiels have many breeds, each with different characteristics, types can be a factor for changes in price. If you have plenty of budget, choose the most unique ones.
- Source – Pet stores sell birds such as Cockatiels in different price range and the cockatiel prices vary when buying from a breeder rather than a pet store. For a more convenient purchasing, it is important to find prices online first. Purchasing from a shelter or rescue organisation only costs a lower amount as an adoption fee.
- Location – Since some stores and breeders do not offer free shipping, some amount will be extra deducted from you as a shipping fee. This includes the cost of the pet carrier you selected for shipping.
Tips Before Buying a Cockatiel
The ideal time to purchase a newborn cockatiel is often eight to twelve weeks following weaning.
Before purchasing a cockatiel, be sure the breeder or pet shop has supplied the bird with a healthy environment and has screened it for diseases like avian malaria.
A cockatiel needs a companion, and when you buy one, it sees you as its companion. If you can’t spend quality time with it, loneliness can cause stress and aggressive behavior. So, buy in pairs and provide them with toys if you don’t have much time to spend with them.
If you can afford it, it is better to buy from breeders because the cockatiels you get from them are trained and tamed and will be from a good lineage. Some of the top cockatiel breeders in the US are listed below:
- Shawn Rapley, Owner, ROCKY MTN. BIRD FARM & PET SUPPLY, Colorado
- Donald Perez, specialized in bird business- Free to Fly Aviaries, Illinois
- Royal Wings Aviary, Indiana
You may need to consider also the age of your family members. If all are old, they might not appreciate the noisy Cockatiel in your home. This bird is good for children as they are often amazed by how it mimics sounds.
Before finding a Cockatiel for sale, it is also important to consider the amount of time you can give to your pet. Since this bird loves to interact with people, much attention is necessary. You have to spend time with it to teach different tricks and sounds.
Synopsis
You probably fantasize about finding a friend who will always make you happy. Perhaps you have tried to be with people and ended up being left behind. But did you ever know that pets like cockatiels can also make good friends?
Cockatiels, on the other hand, cannot participate in gimmicks. They can only make you smile with their sounds and pretty faces. The entire article enumerated the various requirements of owning a Cockatiel. It is now up to you to assess if you are ready to give this pet what is necessary.
Undoubtedly, owning a Cockatiel entails time and effort, which can surely be reciprocated by your pet’s love. From a literal standpoint, it is never a good idea to be owned and not be cared for as much as necessary. Cockatiels can give you the feeling of being with great company—a kind of love that not even your human friends can provide.
