Cockatiels are popular pet birds all over the world. They are intelligent, smart, and very friendly. How long cockatiels live for is a common question among aspiring pet bird owners. In a nutshell;
Cockatiels have an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years in the wild and 15 to 20 years in captivity (as pets)
Before we dive into how long do cockatiels live, here are some fun facts about Cockatiels:
Cockatiels mate for life! They usually choose one partner either in the wild or when in captivity and live together. How interesting for birds to be this faithful.
Cockatiels can learn amazing tricks such as high five, handshakes, and flips. They can also be trained to talk as they mimic words they hear often. These beauties are outgoing and comical. No wonder they are the No.1 pet birds in America!
The Average Lifespan of a Cockatiel
Cockatiels live for 10 to 14 years in the wild while as pets they can live for 15 to 20 years. Some of the factors that affect the lifespan of cockatiels include:
- Nutrition – They should have a balanced diet of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and water.
- Housing – Cockatiels cages should be big enough to allow them to play around.
- Healthcare – Ensure they are looked at by an avian veterinarian frequently.
- Emotional health – They need constant stimulation through socialization with people or mates
- Physical wellbeing – Ensure they get enough exercise by allowing them out of the cage once a day.
Now, lets take a closer look into the variations when it comes to how long these beautiful birds live.
How Long Do Cockatiels In The Wild?
The life of a Cockatiel is shorter in the wild than when in captivity. They live for 10 to 14 years in the wild.
In the wild, they face threats from raptors such as hawks, eagles, and falcons. Raptors target cockatiels from above while feeding. [1]
Cockatiels are camouflaged to evade predators. They do not have any natural way of defending themselves apart from their high-speed flight.
These birds are very vocal and alert others of predators through loud shrill noises. In the wild, they are mostly nomadic and keep moving in to find food and water.
Farmers also are a threat to Cockatiels as some kill them due to causing damage to their crops. This significantly reduces their population.
They are also faced with disease epidemics because of their migratory patterns and traveling in large flocks
How Long Do Cockatiels Live In Captivity?
Cockatiels live longer in captivity than in the wild because of proper care, adequate food, and protection from predators.
They have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years in captivity. The longest living pet cockatiel lived up to 36 years!
Cockatiels in captivity generally depend on their owners for everything.
They are social birds known to travel in groups and hence need a lot of social interaction.
If you are planning to keep some, ensure they are kept in their cages away from other pets such as cats and dogs.
Related: How long do Parakeets Live?
How to Prolong the Life of Your Cockatiel
1. Watch their diet
Cockatiels’ lifespan greatly increases when you adhere to the diet they require. They love a varied diet of pellets, fruits, and vegetables.
Avoid feeding your cockatiel foods such as garlic, alcohol, avocado, mushrooms, honey, and chocolate. These foods contain chemicals that could kill your cockatiel!
2. Provide a clean cage
Ensure the environment your pet lives in is always clean as they can easily get bacterial infections. They need a cage big enough for them to explore and play around.
3. Train them
Cockatiels are smart and intelligent birds that require constant training for them to grow. Training them constantly will increase their lifespans significantly.
4. Play with them
Just like humans love social interaction and companionship, these beautiful birds love companionship. Ensure you interact with them daily especially in the mornings when they wake up and before bedtime.
If you do all the above, your cockatiel is guaranteed to live longer and healthier.
Related: How Long do parrots live?
How to Know If My Cockatiel Is Dying
When a cockatiel is dying it exhibits symptoms such as:
- Discharges – From their eyes and ears
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Puffed and poor feather condition.
- Lack of appetite.
- Increased or decreased urination
- Vomiting
- Lethargy – Appearing weak and lacking enthusiasm
- Changes in their urine
- Silence – They do not make their normal sounds when craving attention or asking for food.
If your cockatiel has any of the symptoms above, visit an avian veterinarian immediately. Regular checkups are required to know the status of the health of your pet cockatiel.
Cockatiels’ life expectancy can be increased significantly with proper diet and healthcare. They can make long-term companions as they easily bond with humans.
Planning to get a cockatiel? Watch this before you do!
Next read;
- How long do House Cats live?
- Average lifespan of Cicadas
- How long do Butterflies live for?
