01_748242 ffirs.qxd 12/8/05 7:44 AM Page 1 Your Happy Healthy Pet™ ( Cockatiel 2nd Edition Julie Rach Mancini 01_748242 ffirs.qxd 12/8/05 7:44 AM Page 2 01_748242 ffirs.qxd 12/8/05 7:44 AM Page 1 Your Happy Healthy Pet™ ( Cockatiel 2nd Edition Julie Rach Mancini 01_748242 ffirs.qxd 12/8/05 7:44 AM Page 2 This book is printed on acid-free paper. ∞ Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved. 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Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. For more information about Wiley products, please visit our web site at www.wiley.com. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Mancini, Julie R. (Julie Rach) Cockatiel / Julie Rach Mancini. 2nd ed. p. cm. -- (Your happy healthy pet) ISBN-13: 978-0-471-74824-3 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-471-74824-2 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Cockatiel. I. Title. II. Series. SF473.C6R33 2006 636.6’8656 dc22 2005024167 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2nd Edition Book design by Melissa Auciello-Brogan Cover design by Michael J. Freeland Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services 01_748242 ffirs.qxd 12/8/05 7:44 AM Page 3 About the Author Birds have been an important part of Julie Rach Mancini’s life ever since her father built a window shelf to feed pigeons as mealtime entertainment for her when she was a toddler. Her parents got her first bird, a parakeet named Charlie, when she was six, and she kept a special African grey parrot named Sindbad for more than ten years. Professionally, her interest in birds began to combine with her love of writing when the editors of Pet Health Newsasked her to write about bird health in 1988. She assisted in the preparation of the first issue of Birds USA, a successful annual publication aimed at the first-time pet bird owner, and became managing editor, then editor, of Bird Talk in 1992. Julie has been a free- lance writer since 1997, with pets as her primary focus. About Howell Book House Since 1961, Howell Book House has been America’s premier publisher of pet books. We’re dedicated to companion animals and the people who love them, and our books reflect that commitment. Our stable of authors—training experts, veterinarians, breeders, and other authorities—is second to none. And we’ve won more Maxwell Awards from the Dog Writers Association of America than any other publisher. As we head toward the half-century mark, we’re more committed than ever to providing new and innovative books, along with the classics our readers have grown to love. This year, we’re launching several exciting new initiatives, includ- ing redesigning the Howell Book House logo and revamping our biggest pet series, Your Happy Healthy PetTM, with bold new covers and updated content. From bringing home a new puppy to competing in advanced equestrian events, Howell has the titles that keep animal lovers coming back again and again. 02_748242 ftoc.qxd 12/8/05 7:45 AM Page 4 Contents Part I: The World of the Cockatiel 9 Chapter 1: What Is a Cockatiel? 11 Cockatiel Basics 11 Why Choose a Bird? 12 Cockatiels and Children 14 Chapter 2: The Cockatiel’s History 16 The Cockatiel’s Background 16 How the Cockatiel Got Her Name 20 Chapter 3: Choosing Your Cockatiel 21 Where to Get Your Cockatiel 21 Selecting Your Cockatiel 23 Signs of Good Health 25 Bringing Your Cockatiel Home 27 Part II: Caring for Your Cockatiel 29 Chapter 4: Home Sweet Home 30 Choosing a Cage 30 What to Put in the Cage Tray 34 Location, Location 35 Setting up the Cage 36 More to Buy 36 Chapter 5: Everyday Care 41 Be Alert to Health Problems 42 Cleaning the Cage 43 Seasonal Needs 44 Household Hazards 45 Nasty Fumes 48 Other Pets 49 Chapter 6: Feeding Your Cockatiel 50 Nutrition Requirements 50 Water 54 Foods to Avoid 55 What About Grit? 56 The Pelleted Diet Option 56 Chapter 7: Grooming Your Cockatiel 58 Bathing 58 Nail Care 59 Wing Trimming 60 Molting 61 Wing Trimming Step by Step 62 If Your Bird Escapes 64 Are Mite Protectors Necessary? 66 02_748242 ftoc.qxd 12/8/05 7:45 AM Page 5 Chapter 8: Keeping Your Cockatiel Healthy 67 Avian Anatomy 67 Feathers 70 Avian Senses 73 Cockatiel Health Care 74 Cockatiel Health Concerns 78 Signs of Illness 81 Cockatiel First Aid 83 Your Cockatiel’s First Aid Kit 87 Can You Catch Avian Flu from Your Bird? 90 Medicating Your Cockatiel 92 Caring for Older Birds 94 Part III: Enjoying Your Cockatiel 97 Chapter 9: Understanding Your Cockatiel 98 Common Cockatiel Behaviors 98 Learn to Read a Cockatiel’s Crest 102 Stress 106 Chapter 10: Having Fun with Your Cockatiel 107 Taming Your Cockatiel 107 Toilet Training 110 Naughty Cockatiels 111 Will My Cockatiel Talk? 112 The Trick to Training 115 Tricks to Teach Your Cockatiel 117 Traveling with Your Bird 119 Appendix: Learning More About Your Cockatiel 122 Some Good Books 122 Magazines 123 Online Resources 123 Index 125 03_748242 flast.qxd 12/8/05 7:46 AM Page 6 ° Shopping List You’ll need to do a bit of stocking up before you bring your new bird home. Below is a basic list of some must-have supplies. For more detailed information on the selection of each item below, consult chapter 4. For specific guidance on what grooming tools you’ll need, review chapter 7. Cage Millet spray (most cockatiels love this treat!) Open food and water bowls (at least two sets of each for easier Powdered vitamin and mineral dish changing and cage cleaning) supplement to sprinkle on your pet’s fresh foods Perches of various diameters and materials A variety of safe, fun toys Sturdy scrub brush to clean the Cage cover (an old sheet or towel perches with no holes or ravels will serve this purpose nicely) Food (a good quality fresh seed mixture or a formulated diet, such Playgym (to give your cockatiel as pellets or crumbles) time out of his cage and a place toexercise) There are likely to be a few other items that you’re dying to pick up before bringing your bird home. Use the following blanks to note any additional items you’ll be shopping for. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ 03_748242 flast.qxd 12/8/05 7:46 AM Page 7 (cid:1) Pet Sitter’s Guide We can be reached at (___)_____-________ Cellphone (___)_____-________ _____________________________________________________________ We will return on ____________ (date) at ____________ (approximate time) Bird’s Name ___________________________________________________ Species, Age, and Sex ____________________________________________ Important Names and Numbers Vet’s Name ____________________________ Phone (___)_____-________ Address_______________________________________________________ Emergency Vet’s Name ____________________Phone (___)_____-________ Address_______________________________________________________ Poison Control ____________________________________ (or call vet first) Other individual to contact in case of emergency_______________________ _____________________________________________________________ Care Instructions In the first three blanks let the sitter know what to feed, how much, and when; when to give treats; and when and how to exercise the bird. Morning______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Afternoon_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Evening ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Medications needed (dosage and schedule)____________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Any special medical conditions_____________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Grooming instructions___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ My bird’s favorite playtime activities, quirks, and other tips _______________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 04_748242 pt01.qxd 12/8/05 7:47 AM Page 8