Average Price Of A Cockatiel, What You Need To Own One, and Life Expectancy

Cockatiel

The Cockatiel (Nymphicus Hollandicus) is one of the most popular and exotic domestic birds. Some of the important aspects to consider while purchasing exotic birds like Cockatiel include their total cost of ownership and their lifespan. The costs that you spend words owning a cockatiel include the one-time costs that you pay at the outset and the expenditures that you make towards the ownership during the next 12 to 15 years of the life of the bird.

THE PRICE AND TOTAL COST OF COCKATIEL OWNERSHIP

Apart from spending a one-time cost while purchasing a cockatiel, you also have to make expenditures towards feeding, toys, and other. A large and quality cage can ensure that your parrot has a healthy and happy life. There may be some ongoing and recurring costs toward ownership in the long term as well. Therefore, you need to keep aside a budget for that.

THE ONE TIME/UPFRONT COST

When you adopt and buy a new cockatiel, you have to spend somewhere between $ 30 to a maximum of $ 250. You can either buy your feathered bird friend or can also adopt it when you get it from your friend. The latter proposition can be free. It may happen when someone you know (including your friends, family members, colleagues, and other acquaintances) may want to rehome their cockatiel for no cost. Mostly, these are the instances when either people can no longer afford to own it or have to relocate. However, before you own it, try to know more about the birds’ training and behavior. Owning a trained bird is always better than owning an untrained one as the latter may have behavioral problems. However, your experience may depend on your own training experience as well.

ADOPTION: people who want their cockatiel to be rehomed may turn them over to agencies and adoption shelters. Therefore, you can find a cockatiel at the nearby local shelter. For adoption, the cost may be somewhere between $ 30 to $ 100.

BREEDER: when you want a well-behaved cockatiel, you should be looking at breeders. The birds at the breeders are chosen from the lines that are known for docile behavior and friendliness. Here the cost that you may have to spend at the time of purchase may range between $ 80 to $ 250. Below are the price ranges of the different variations and species of cockatiel.

* Peart Cockatiel: up to $ 200.
* Pied Cockatiel: up to $ 170.
* Cinnamon Cockatiel: up to $ 160.
* Laurine Cockatiel: up to $ 250.

Cockatiel

COST OF SUPPLIES

Beyond the cage, there is not much required for the initial setup. There will be only a few nominal costs in the form of perches/bowel replacements. Also, cockatiels like to pick things and chew on them and may require toys. Some of the important supplies and their costs are listed below.

* Water/food bowls: $ 10.
* Toys: $ 20.
* Perches: $ 25.
* Travel Cage/Back up Cage: $ 50.
* Cage: $ 100 to $ 200.
* Ankle band/ID tag: $ 5.
* X-ray: $ 120.

RECURRING AND ANNUAL COST OF OWNERSHIP

Once you have purchased the bird and have its initial setup, there are certain annual expenditures as well.

HEALTH CARE: birds including cockatiels need to be taken to their avian veterinarian every year for a check-up. However, there is no vaccination required for domestic birds. The cost of this expenditure made towards annual healthcare will be somewhere between $ 35 to $ 50.

PARASITE TREATMENT: domesticated birds do not suffer from any parasite infection usually. However, always ensure that you are only feeding clean and fresh vegetables/fruits to your birds. If you suspect that the bird has been affected by a parasitic infection, you need to take it to the veterinarian. Such treatment may cost somewhere between $ 50 to $ 100.

SUPPLEMENTS/MEDICATIONS: as birds age, they may not be able to process and digest their food in the same effective way. In the latter stage of their age, they may need medications and supplements that may cost somewhere between $ 50 to $ 120.

INSURANCE: exotic birds and pets including the Cockatiel can also be insured. The cost of the insurance may depend on the rarity, health condition, age, and breeding of the bird. The cost of insurance may be somewhere between $ 150 to $ 1000.

FOOD: apart from vegetables and fruits, you can also feed the pets pellets and seed mixes. Mostly the birds feed on food such as seed mix and their varieties only that you can easily buy from your local store. The total cost of feeding your pet bird annually may range somewhere between $ 120 and $ 240.

ENTERTAINMENT: the initial toys purchased for your Cockatiel would be replaced after some time. Good entertainment resources can ensure that the bird is engaged and is not bored over a period. The entertainment resources may cost somewhere between $ 120 to $ 240.

The total cost of ownership of a bird-like cockatiel may range somewhere between $ 220 to $ 350 annually. It is the amount that you pay annually above and after spending the initial setup and purchase money. It includes the annual medical expenditures, cost of feeding, and toys, among other expenditures. You may also like to save and keep aside a few dollars for any emergency.

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A COCKATIEL

A Cockatiel that spends its life in the wild may live somewhere between 10 years to 15 years. However, in the wild, the bird is exposed to many threats including raptors. Many of them do not see their adulthood. Therefore, Cockatiels have a better life expectancy when they are in captive possession and are domesticated. In the absence of any accidents or genetic defects, the bird can live its full life of up to 15 years when domesticated. The captive cocktails are known to live up to 25 years as well! The crucial factors that may impact the life span of a cocktail include-

DIET: you should ensure that your Cockatiel is being fed healthy, fresh, and nutritious food for it to live long and remain happy. The diet should include fresh fruits (such as berries and apples), fresh vegetables (including leafy greens and sprouted seeds), and treats (such as honey seed sticks and millet). The Extras may include boiled eggs, pasta, herbs, and garden weeds.

CARE: ensuring that accidents do not happen can improve the life span of your cocktail. When the diet has enough vegetables, the bird will not suffer from obesity and diseases related to it. Regular weight checkups and maintaining good air quality are other key factors that may improve the life of your bird.

CONCLUSION

You can also buy and own an exotic bird like a Cockatiel at a lesser price when you research it and search for more affordable options. However proper care, good healthy food, and the following safety-related precautions can ensure that your Cockatiel has a long and happy life.