Dr Cockatiel Food safety list

Cockatiel Gear: The Cages, Perches and Toys Worth Buying

Cages, perches, food and kit - tested and compared. 52 guides.

See the best cockatiel cages

Start with the cage

The cage is the purchase that matters most: it has to give the bird room to stretch its wings, perch and play while keeping it secure. Compare the best cages for cockatiels, read how to choose a cage, then set the cage up. For trips and bedtime there are travel cages and cage covers.

Perches, toys and enrichment

A cockatiel spends its whole day on its feet, so perches come next: wood perches and rope perches. For a busy beak, see cage toys, foraging toys, play gyms and toys you can make yourself.

Food, cleaning and everything else

The rest of the kit is smaller but used every day: seed mixes, cuttlebone, bird baths, cage liners and cage cleaner. Not sure what you are missing? Read the accessories a cockatiel needs.

All 52 cockatiel gear guides

Grey cockatiel perched on a wooden dowel with its wings folded

Cockatiel Wing Injuries: Is It Important To See The Vet?
Cockatiel looking into a mirror hanging in its cage

What Toys Do Cockatiels Like? Fun Ideas for Your Pet
Grey cockatiel perched on a branch with its crest raised

Why Does My Cockatiel Hang Upside Down?
Pied cockatiel perched on a wooden post in a garden

Why Are Cockatiels So Dusty?
Cockatiel eating seed spilled on the ground

Can a Cockatiel Be Constipated?
Pied cockatiel perched on top of its cage

Can Cockatiels Wear Diapers? Pros and Cons
Budgerigar perched on a person's hand

Budgie vs cockatiel | Find the bird for you
Flock of white cockatoos on grass at sunset

Cockatiel vs Cockatoo: What's the Difference? (It IS One)
Cockatiels inside a large aviary with wooden perches

How long do Cockatiels live in captivity?
Cockatiel with its crest raised, seen from the side

What are the cockatiel basics?
Cockatiel perched in front of a window frame

Where do you get your cockatiel?
Vintage bird cage on a windowsill

How do you choose a cage for your cockatiel?
Cockatiel standing on top of a cage beside its toys

Cockatiel Accessories: What You Actually Need
Pale yellow cockatiel perched on a branch

Cockatiel Heart Wings: What Does It Mean?
Lutino cockatiel with its crest fully raised

Why Does My Cockatiel Bob His Head? 5-Minute Read
Cockatiel preening itself on top of its cage

Cockatiel Daily Routine: Structure Their Day
Lutino cockatiel eating a millet spray in its cage

6 Best Cages for Cockatiels for Comfort and Safety
Cockatiel climbing the bars of its cage

Best Bird Bath for Cockatiels - Keep Them Fresh!
Lutino cockatiel resting among pale leaves

Best Cuttlebone for Cockatiels for Healthy Beaks and Bones
Cockatiel inside a cage hung with colourful toys

Best Bird Cage Liners for Easy Cleaning and Hygiene
Mixed nuts, seeds and dried cranberries

Best Seed Mix for Cockatiels
Lutino cockatiel perched in a cage full of toys

Best Nail Trimming Perches for Birds
Two cockatiels perched on top of a cage indoors

Sexing a cockatiel | Is my cockatiel male or female?
Roll of toilet paper unrolling against a blue background

Are Toilet Paper Rolls Safe for Birds?
Lit candle in a glass jar beside soft feathers

Are Candles Bad for Cockatiels?
Cockatiel with its beak open and crest feathers raised

Understanding Cockatiel Beak Peeling: Causes and Prevention
Cockatiel playing with plastic toys on a table

DIY Cockatiel Toy Ideas for Enrichment
Close-up of a lutino cockatiel's face and beak

How Much Sleep Do Cockatiels Need? Tips for Healthy Rest
Bird cage mirror toy with beads and a rope perch

Best Mirrors for Birds in a Cage (and the Risks)
Set of colourful bird cage toys including swings, ladders and bells

Best Bird Swing Hammocks for Safety and Fun
Coloured cement perches and a sanded standing platform for cages

Best Cockatiel Taming Gloves for Safe Handling
Flock of birds flying in a pale sky

Can a Cockatiel Be Kept Outside? (Is It Even Safe?)
Two cockatiels perched on a red basket indoors

Can a Cockatiel Be Left Alone for a Weekend?
Two cockatiels perched on a nest box in an aviary

Cockatiel Beak Grinding: What It Means
Lutino cockatiel perched on a branch against a dark background

Can Cockatiels Wear a Harness?
Lutino cockatiel perched on top of a wire cage

Hanging Bird Toys: Best Types for Cockatiels
Cockatiel perched on a wooden ledge in dim light

Cockatiel Night Frights: Prevention & Care
Cockatiel standing on a rock outdoors

How to Tell If Your Cockatiel Is Happy: 8 Signs
Two cockatiels standing on a wooden perch stand

Best Cage Toys for Cockatiels to Keep Them Entertained
Shredding foraging toys for bird cages

5 Best Foraging Toys for Cockatiels
Bag of Wagner's black oil sunflower seed

Best Sunflower Seeds for Cockatiels
Two cockatiels perched close together

Cockatiel Popularity: What the Statistics Show
Blue budgerigar perched on a wooden dowel

Best Wood Perches for Cockatiels in 2026
Lutino cockatiels inside a white cage with feeding bowls

Best Bird Cage Cleaning Tools for Easy Upkeep
Lutino cockatiels perched in a white cage with toys

Best Rope Perches for Cockatiels for Comfort and Fun
Fabric cover fitted over a bird cage

Best Bird Cage Covers for Night: Top Picks
Bottle of Oxyfresh cage and crate cleaner spray

Best Bird Cage Cleaner Sprays for a Spotless and Safe Aviary
Suction-cup window perch for birds

Best Window Perches for Birds: Top 5 Picks
Cockatiel perched on a rope perch inside its cage

Best Travel Bird Cage for Cockatiels: Top 5 Picks
Set of colourful bird cage toys including swings, ladders and bells

Best Play Gyms for Cockatiels: Top Picks
Two cockatiels perched on a nest box in an aviary

5 Best Bird Tents for Cockatiels
Clear automatic bird feeder and water dispenser set

Best Bird Cage Water Dispensers for Small to Medium Birds

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a cockatiel?

A cage with room for the bird to stretch its wings, perches, food and water dishes, toys, a cuttlebone and a quality diet. A cage cover, a bird bath and a travel cage are useful extras.

What matters most when choosing a cockatiel cage?

Size, material and design. The cage should be spacious enough for the bird to stretch its wings and move between perches, and safe and sturdy enough to keep it secure.

Which toys do cockatiels like?

Cockatiels like toys they can chew, shred and forage in. Rotating a few toys keeps the cage interesting.