Rosella

A pair of birds will make good company for each other. But, they may not bond as well with you or mimic speech and sounds. Keeping a single bird is fine, but you need to spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel daily. If your lifestyle makes this impossible, get a pair of birds to prevent loneliness and self-harming behavior.

These birds are naturally messy and they produce powdery dust on their feathers. It is used in grooming and may leave a powdery coating on cages and accessories. Bathe or spray your bird with water once a week. Regular cleaning of the cage is necessary. Many cockatiel cages come with a removable bottom tray to make the task easier.

Cockatiels are active and playful and should have a large cage. Provide a cage that is at least 20 inches square and 26 inches tall. The spacing on the cage bars should be no more than 3/4-inches wide. You do not want the bird to get its head caught in the cage. Horizontal cage bars offer the best opportunity for the bird to climb and get much-needed exercise. The cage should have enough space to place a couple of perches at different levels. The bird should be able to easily move between the perches.

Exercise

This species is relatively sedentary. However, young, untamed birds may benefit from a larger cage that allows them space to fly. Free flight is essential for this bird, it needs at least 2 hours of exercise daily.

Nutrition

In the wild, crimson rosellas eat mostly native grass seeds, herbs, fruits and berries, nuts, insect larvae, and flower buds. In captivity, it is essential to provide this bird a varied and nutritious diet similar to what they would eat in the wild.

Problems

Crimson rosellas can be prone to fungal infections and intestinal worms, primarily when housed in outdoor aviaries where they may forage at ground level. Rosellas are also susceptible to psittacosis, which is a bacterial chlamydia infection also called parrot fever.