Their diet can be considerably varied depending on what food sources are available from day to day. In the wild, cockatiels do eat seeds whenever possible, but they also forage for grasses, fruits and even small insects. However, many cockatiel owners still don’t know this. Today, most vets know that cockatiels won’t get all their nutritional needs met by eating a diet of bird seed. One of the most fundamental methods is often also the most frequently overlooked according to avian veterinarians, and that is nutrition.Īvian and exotic veterinary medicine has come a long way over the last decade. There are several possible ways to extend the average lifespan of a cockatiel in captivity. In the wild, a cockatiel may live anywhere from 10 to 14 years.Ĭontrast that with cockatiel lifespan in captivity, which can be anywhere from 15 to 25 years.īut the best news is that pet cockatiels have been known to live as long as 35 years.Īs of 2015, the Guinness Book of World Record’s “oldest pet cockatiel” title holder, Sammy, is 31! So it just makes sense that you want to make sure the cockatiel lifespan in captivity is as long as possible! These loving, loyal and affectionate birds tend to bond very closely with “their” people and the reverse is often just as true!
Learning more about how long do cockatiels live in captivity and your part in that can help you make sure your precious pet lives the longest, healthiest, happiest life possible! What is the life expectancy of a cockatiel?Īfter the parakeet (budgerigar), the cockatiel is the most popular pet bird.
In fact, research shows that the cockatiel life expectancy can be extended by a decade or more with a little help from you, your cockatiel’s owner! Cockatiel lifespan can vary quite a bit between wild cockatiels and domestic (pet) cockatiels.