Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are social, intelligent, and adaptable birds and one of the more popular parrot species kept as pets. The thesis presents the conditions for keeping cockatiels in captivity and their biological and behavioural needs. Housing, feed and water, socialization, and handling of cockatiels are described. Cockatiels are kept in cages or aviaries, which must provide sufficient space for movement, flight, resting, hiding, and exploring the environment. The environment can be enriched with branches, perches, toys, and different ways of providing feed, which encourage exploration and movement and reduce the occurrence of undesirable behaviours. Seeds are the basis of the cockatiel diet; however, the literature states that seed mixtures alone do not provide all the necessary nutrients, so feed mixtures in the form of pellets, vegetables, and fruit are also included in the diet. Cockatiels are social animals, and social interactions with other individuals therefore also play an important role. Handling requires a calm, gentle, and gradual approach, as inappropriate handling can cause stress and fear. To ensure the welfare of cockatiels, it is therefore important that their housing, feed, social interactions, environmental enrichment, and handling are appropriately coordinated.
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