Pet cockatiels normally live in bird cages indoors. But you might be asking if they can be kept outside of your house in hot weather? Let’s see together.
Wild cockatiels originate in Australia where the weather varies in different parts of the continent. We can see this bird species live throughout the continent except for the coastal areas. The temperatures in which the cockatiels can survive vary from 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. But the birds live well in the weather, not over 80°F (27°C).
On the other hand, pet cockatiels are not good at adjusting to big and sudden changes in temperature. Instead, they prefer creature comforts of climate control and should not be exposed to the scorching hot weather. An extended period of time can cause unsafe and unsustainable body temperatures. Weak cockatiel could die in places with extreme cold at night and too hot in the daytime.
The standard cockatiel life span is 15 years, but it can live up to 22 years. This depends on proper care, nutrition, and the living environment.
Can cockatiels live outside in hot weather?
On the one hand, yes, cockatiels can live outside. But the pet birds are unable to adapt their body when the temperatures get too high. They should be kept between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (around 27-28 degrees Celsius). Although they can tolerate a higher and lower temperature, this is a comfortable level for the cockatiels to maintain a healthy body temperature.
You should check the year round temperature in your place. If it goes too high over the comfort temperature level of your bird, you should keep it inside to protect its health.
Prepare an outdoor aviary for your bird
Cockatiels living insides often stay in birdcages, but they should not be the house for your bird outdoors. Bird cages are not safe houses for the birds all the time outside. Normally, cages are suitable for indoor use only while they can rust under the humid air. As you might know, rust is not good for the birds at all, even toxic. It is fine that you take bird cages outside for a few hours per day, but it should not be all year round.
If you decide to keep your feathered friend outside, it is necessary to have an aviary for it. Normally, an outdoor aviary contains 2 bodies, including a flying area and a feeding shelter. To protect your bird from the risk of rodents or parasites, it should be a suspended aviary. This kind of aviary with 4 legs in around 3 feet off the ground can work very well.
Also, you should consider the issue relating to the neighborhood. Due to the noise that your bird can make and affect your neighbors, you might have to check out local regulations and get a local building permit.
Why should you keep the cockatiel indoors?
Better living conditions
When your bird lives indoors, you are able to control the living factors including the temperature to make it live well. This way also protects your cockatiel from the bad effects of direct sunlight.
Moreover, keeping your cockatiel insides will ensure it gets enough to sleep, between 10-12 hours every night. The birdcage should be in a room with shades and curtains to cover its cage while it sleeps. Your bird can get a comfortable rest to make it stay healthy and happy.
It is easier to tame a cockatiel living indoors
It takes time to bond with a cockatiel and trains it to talk. So these tasks appear more difficult to leave the bird outdoors because you will not have much time to interact with the new bird. Meanwhile, it needs you to have regular contact and communication with the bird. It is more likely to form a bond with a bird living inside your house when it sees you more often on a daily basis.
On the other hand, if you are keeping your cockatiel indoors and have a good relationship with it, putting it outside is not a good idea. It is not easy for the bird to get accustomed to the outdoor weather. Then, it will feel lonely and boring. That’s why you should make the decision right after you take the bird home whether to put it indoors or outdoors.
If you decide to put the bird outdoors, installing or building an aviary is necessary. Make it before you acquire the bird, then it will be ready to shelve the bird right after it comes home.
Another solution – Take your bird outsides from time to time
If you decide to keep your bird indoors all year round, it is recommended to take the birdcage out for several hours when the weather is good. In this case, you can both have a bond with the bird and have it exposed to natural light. This time is really important to your bird’s health to produce vitamin D3.
If you want to take your bird outdoors without the cage, make sure to clip its wings before that. This will prevent the bird from flying away. Another way is to use a bird harness and leash.
You should put the cage in the shade to avoid direct sunlight, and your bird will not overheat. In the first few times, you should keep an eye on your cockatiel and make sure it doesn’t show any signs of stress or being too hot or too cold. Then, you should take the bird back indoors as soon as possible.
Final thoughts
Pet cockatiels can live outdoors, but not in too hot weather. That should not get over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (around 28 degrees Celsius). When you decide to put your cockatiel outside, make sure to prepare a good aviary. That will protect your bird from outside dangerous factors, and you still have a healthy pet bird.
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