Popular Bird Reference Guide
I cannot say enough to please remember that all birds require a lot of time and love to become the joy and new family member you are looking for. Before making the quick buy at your local pet store and bringing a new bird into your home… PLEASE do your homework and learn everything and all you can about the bird’s needs, behavior, how much everything will cost up front and how much you need to spend on food and finding the best bird cage type and location for your cockatiel or any bird species. Go talk to local popular bird breeders, talk to an avian vet, attend bird shows, ask questions and read all you can before making the final call. I wouldn’t trade all my cockatiels and parrots for anything despite the noise level throughout the day lol.
Cockatiels
Probably the best all around inexpensive companion birds. These bright and lively birds are very gentle and social. Males become fluent speakers and whistlers although more independent. Females are generally quieter and more social, but not as good a talker.
Common Varieties: Grey, Lutino, Pied , and Pearl
Native Habitat: Australia
Height: 10 to 12 inches from top of crest to tip of tail
Life Span: 15 to 25 years
Sex Differences: When mature males are usually more colorful than females
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 18″H x 18″W x 18″D
Parakeets
The most common and inexpensive of all pet birds. Playful and fun these little guys are a joy to have. Parakeets (also known as Budgies) are hardy and quiet birds that can even learn to talk.
Native Habitat: Australia
Height: 7 inches from head to tip of tail
Life Span: 7 to 15 years
Sex Differences: After 4 months, cere becomes blue in males, brown in females
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 12″H x 14″W x 12″D
Canaries
Well known for their beautiful song and brilliant coloration, especially during breeding season. These birds will certainly brighten any room they placed in.
Common Varieties: American Singer, Border Fancy, Red Factor
Native Habitat: Canary Islands and Azores
Height: 5 to 7 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 5 to 14 years
Sex Differences: Males have loud song and vent becomes enlarged during breeding season. Females rarely sing and vent only swells slightly.
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 12″H x 10″W x 12″D
Finches
These delightful little birds will add excitement and color anywhere. Simple to keep and care for, but they do best in pairs. Some peep or sing softly, many can be finger trained.
Common Varieties: Lady Gouldian, Society, Zebra
Native Habitat: Found worldwide
Height: Generally 3 to 6 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Some varieties develop quite extended tail plumage
Life Span: 4 to 5 years
Sex Differences: When mature males are generally brighter colored or differently colored than female. Some varieties show no differences.
Cage Requirements: Minimum size for a pair 14″H x 36″W x 10″D
Amazon Parrots
Probably the most popular group of parrots available today. These birds are generally very social and loving. These fun-loving birds will appreciate a variety of toys. Always try to purchase young birds, as older parrots can be difficult to tame and train. Some Amazons can make quite a lot of noise, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
Common Varieties: Blue Fronted, Double Yellow-Head, Lilac Crowned, Spectacled
Native Habitat: Mexico, Central and South America
Height: 10 to 18 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 25 to 50 plus years
Sex Differences: Most varieties show no sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D
African Grey Parrots
Talking and mimicry are these birds’ best known traits. They can learn an incredible amount of words, phrases and sounds. Young birds bond very well with humans, sometimes developing a preference for a single person. Quite loving and intelligent, these birds are a real joy to have, but do require a lot of attention.
Common Varieties: Red Tail, Timneh
Native Habitat: Central Africa
Height: 12 to 13 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 50 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D
Macaws
The best known and most often seen of the larger pet birds. Macaws are very intelligent, can develop an extensive vocabulary, and can be taught many tricks. These beautiful animals are often the feature attractions in bird shows. Macaws require a lot of attention and training. They can be prolific chewers and can become very noisy. Very affectionate birds, often developing very strong bonds with their humans.
Common Varieties: Blue and Gold, Green-Winged, Hyacinth, Noble, Scarlet
Native Habitat: Mexico, Central and South America
Height: 12 to 40 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 25 to 50 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D for smallest varieties
Minimum size 48″H x 48″W x 36″D for largest varieties
Cockatoos
Every bird lover is familiar with this group of white colored birds. As a group they are quite loving and can become moderate talkers. They love people and need social interaction. They sometimes bond with only one family member. Cockatoos are very intelligent, are active chewers, and can be quite mischievous. Powder from feathers can sometimes trigger allergic reactions in people. Daily misting can help eliminate problem.
Common Varieties: Goffin, Greater Sulphur-crested, Moluccan, Umbrella
Native Habitat: Australia, Indonesia, and Phillipines
Height: 12 to 26 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 30 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum Size 36″H x 24″W x 24″D
Super Pet EZ Care Bow Front Playtop Bird Cage
After months of research my wife and I decided to get this wonderful bird cage. I am very hard to please when I buy things, and let me tell you I’m pleased with EZ cage cockatiel cages. I waited awhile before posting a review because I wanted to write this after actually using this cockatiel playtop cage in my home (it has been just about 2 months. Here are my thoughts)
1. It is medium size cage not to big or small and fits and looks nice in my living room.
2. I have 2 cockatiels and the 1/2 spacing is great for my love bird.
3.My cockatiel bird learned how to open the doors in his old cage (Smart Bird).
4.Feeding any bird is a breeze and it’s very easy to clean.
(***TIP*** use vinegar and paper towel to clean the front plastic/acrylic front)
6. I love the front clear door it allows me to see what my bird is doing.
7. The perches are wood I also clean them once a week with vinegar.
8. After I clean the cage I move all his toys, and perches to a new position.
9. My bird loves the playtop and plays on it or hours.
10. My number one reason why I love this cage because my cockatiel loves it.
Cockatiel Bird Accessories. Find All Bird Supplies At The Cheapest Prices!
I wanted to share with everyone one of my favorite sites that I usually try first when ordering cockatiel and bird food, toys and accessories. The Cockatiel Bird Store has one of the biggest selection of products I’ve seen and always has the lowest price on any bird supply I need. I must say the shipping is very cheap compared to other online stores, but the shipping is lightning fast. My last order was for cockatiel food and parrot food in which I wanted to buy bulk… over 25lbs of bird food was at my doorstep in 3 business day’s for only $2.99. I felt I should share the cockatiel bird accessories company with everyone considering how often I buy from them and I haven’t had a problem with any of my orders to this day.
Booda Comfy Bird Perch For Cockatiel Cages
Your cockatiel will love the shapes, bright colors and feel of any model of the Booda Comfy Perch for cockatiel cages. It is 100% breeder recommended (especially cockatiels) because it provides different conditioning surfaces and levels that cockatiels need in their bird cage. All Booda cockatiel cages perches use natural stimulating colors to help relieve cockatiel cage stress, boredom and related feather picking or plucking.
Depending on which size is best suited for your cockatiel cage: you can create loops, curves and other interesting shapes making sure your cockatiel is always happy when inside his cockatiel cage. Your cockatiel will always love you because the comfy perch allows you to have fun creating different types of angles and mind stimulating fun for any age cockatiel. The Booda company makes some of the best bird supplies to this date and buying any one of their products for your cockatiel cage will make your birdie very happy.
[phpbay]Booda Comfy, 1, 20734, “”[/phpbay]
The Most Popular And Best Reviewed Playtop Cockatiel Cages
This might be interesting to anyone looking into buying a cockatiel cage or new bird cage in general. With 11+ years experience with birds, you could imagine how many types of cockatiel cages I saw in my lifetime and how that made me very picky when picking out a bird cage for any species. My most important bird cages are the cage accessories at home for all my little noisy guys.
Today I wanted to share with everyone some of my favorite cockatiel cages which happens to still be the most popular and best reviewed cockatiel cages reviews by the average cockatiel owner. I will only settle for quality cockatiel cages because so many people overlook bird cage buying after already buying a new cockatiel or bird.
Look what A. Pelizzari had to say about cockatiel cages – “My cockatiel “Luciano” loves his new cage. There is plenty of space, and I would suggest adding another internal perch. The large entry door and ample feeding cups are a big plus. Also, cleaning is a breeze due to the added seed guards. I also line the bottom grate with paper, which adds to a quick clean-up. The rolling casters also make sweeping under the cage much easier. This is a big value and worth a look. Enjoy!”
Michael B. from Alabama says – “We were very pleased with our cockatiel cages purchase for our cockatiel “Baby”. Baby also loves her new cage with playtop and accessories. Very well constructed, no cheap parts and you just feel quality work. Surprisingly it was reasonably easy to assemble although with 2 people the job takes 1/4 the time. The directions are simply an exploded view of pictures and it brings your mind back to school lol. Just be patient when choosing cockatiel cages, getting the right one the first time is worth more than you could imagine. We will most likely be purchasing another unit from this seller.”
My cockatiel begs and begs for me to open anyone of the doors so he could run and sneak right up to the top where he is 6′ in height off the ground and feels better when I am not taller then him hehe, cockatiels like being higher up then people and will always try to get to the highest point they could like your shoulders or top perch.