Some of our sore throats are caused by a "strep infection" – and this bacteria can be spread to your cockatiel from a sneeze or a cough. A bacterium called E. coli is normally present in our intestines, but it is not a normal resident in the intestines of cockatiels. So be sure that you wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling your cockatiel or its food.

Seeds, how do you know if they are alive and nutritious? Sprout them! If less than 75 % of the seeds sprout, they have died and so their nutritional value.

Here's how: Place some seeds on a container covered with a paper towel. Soak the seeds with water. Spray seeds daily to keep them moist. The seeds will start to sprout in three or four days. Once they sprout, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Rinse them before feeding, as they are very nutritious. The amount of sprouts that can be fed daily are as follows:

Cockatiels 1 Tablespoon

Lead is the most common poison eaten by caged and wild birds. Sources of lead include: antiques; lead frames of stained-glass windows; Tiffany lamps; weighted items; fishing, scuba, and drapery weights; the foil from champagne and wine bottles; batteries; solder; bullets and air-rifle pellets; old paint; sheetrock; galvanized chicken wire; linoleum; mirror backing; light bulbs bases; dolomite and bone meal products; and leaded gasoline fumes.

The Cockatiel was first discovered in Australia in 1770. It did not become popular until the Australian gold rush in the nineteen hundreds.

Cookware or drip pans with Teflon or Silverstone. The fumes emitted can kill your Cockatiel.

Cockatiels may have allergies. Straining, flatulence (passing of gas), inflammation of the cloaca, or sneezing may be seen. Of course, it is important to rule out the most common causes of these problems, but think about possible allergies – the blanket that covers the cage: the sunflower diet? A perfume, household spray, or dish detergent used around the birds? A "treat" that you are giving the bird? Some food in the diet? Cigarette smoke? Go over an environmental and food checklist with your avian veterinarian.

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