People have owned pet birds since time immemorial. And bird owners have usually shared their pet-owning experience so as to benefit others toying with the same idea.

Many pet owners across the world have a common belief, "when choosing a bird, pick a bird that selects you". It is believed that a bird answering to this description will be cheerful, inquisitive and will readily come to you.

And before you buy a Cockatiel, make sure you know what you are getting into. Unlike other pets, "Cockatiels require a lot of time and attention". They will also expect you to interact with them often. Some are known for their ability to get attached to their owners quickly, and to mimic human speech.

Here I have listed different types of Cockatiels (which belong to the Cockatoo species) to make it easier for prospective pet owners to choose:

Cockatiels

The first in the list are the Cockatiels. Cockatiels are considered the most popular pet of the Cockatoo species all over the world. These gentle and friendly birds make great pets. They aren't moody and demanding like other Cockatoo species. They can therefore be a child's first pet. If brought home when young (8 weeks and above), they can be trained to talk, as well as perform tricks such as backward flips and rolling over.

If hand-fed as a chick, they will quickly settle in their new home. They love having an audience and will keep you amused all the time. These birds are amazing fliers. So make sure you keep their wings well clipped. But at the same time, they should not be confined in the cage all times. Let them out for sometime. Just make sure all windows and doors are shut, fans switched off and electrical appliances like stoves and irons are not running while they are outside the cage.

Umbrella Cockatoos

The Umbrella Cockatoo is a very popular pet. They are gentle, affectionate and will charm you from the moment you set your eyes on them. They get very attached to their owners. They love to please and you can teach your pet many tricks. Although they aren't good talkers, you can train them to dance to the music. They need a lot of physical attention and like a human baby, they need to be hugged, petted and played with. They aren't noisy birds and can be naughty one minute and quite the next.

Galah Cockatoos

Galahs are the commonly kept pets and even Galahs caught in the wild make good pets. They are affectionate and friendly. Galahs are usually pale pink and darkpink. They make good pets. They are independent birds and not needy like other species. They are happy to play on their own and require less time outside the cage. Galahs make wonderful pets especially when hand-raised. They are extrovert in nature, affectionate, friendly playful and intelligent. And like other Cockatoos need to be kept entertained and occupied at all times.

They are quick learners and can be trained to perform several tricks. Often you see them in bird shows, where they fly through several hoops. Galahs are good talkers and males usually have better talking ability than females. They talking ability however isn't on par with that of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos or the Corellas. So, if you're a workaholic, then Galahs might be the right choice for you!
Goffin's Cockatoos

The Goffin's Cockatoo is the smallest among the Cockatoo species. Goffin's Cockatoos are gregarious, inquisitive and carefree birds. They are fun-loving and make extremely intelligent pets. Many owners claim that their personality resembles that of dogs. They are active birds that need to be kept occupied at all times.

They are more independent than other Cockatoo species and don't mind spending a little time on their own. They don't spoil easily and if trained properly, they make fabulous
pets. They love physical contact and love having their heads scratched. You can train them to imitate human speech but they can be very loud and are not recommended as pets for apartment dwellers.
Palm Cockatoos

The Palm Cockatoo is the largest among the different species of Cockatoos. It is a striking black bird with red cheek patches. Palm Cockatoos are gentle,
intelligent and love company. They make unique and wonderful pets. They are not as noisy as some of the other species of Cockatoos. In fact their breeding call is the only loud and noisy sound they make. Palm Cockatoos are much sought after pets, but in reality, kept only in small numbers in mostly private collections.
Moluccan Cockatoos

Contrary to the Little Corellas and Goffins, this species is one of the largest of the Cockatoo family. The birds are pink to salmon pink with an attractive crest of orange. They make wonderful pets because they are normally very intelligent, friendly and affectionate. They are quite adept at talking and performing several tricks.
Little Corellas

As true as the name implies, the Little Corellas are one of the smaller Cockatoos. Little Corellas are playful, intelligent and even-tempered birds. They have been kept as pets for many years. These birds can be trained to talk and perform a variety of tricks. They also love to dance and chew. Like all Cockatoos they become very attached to their owners and need to be kept busy.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are affectionate and friendly. Although they have the tendency to become a one-person pet, they make excellent companions. They are more independent than most Cockatoo species and are very intelligent. They are quite adept at talking and performing tricks. I hope all these information comes handy to you when you select your pet Cockatiel.