How do you tell how old your cockatiel is?

Answer 1

Well I just Googled that question, I counts about the bars on a parrakeets head, the eye color, or the numbers on the bird's leg band. I got two parakeets myself and I got them in 2009. They are more than 8 month's old. :o)

Answer 2

How do you tell a bird's age? Are they similar to cats? (multiplying it to a certain number)

sorry but this previous answer is truly useless. I'm not sure how to tell a bird's exact age but you can take an educated guess by first figuring the exact species/breed of the bird then researching what is the normal lifespan of the animal. from there examine the quality of the bird's feathers, feet and beak. if the bird is originally in rough condition this will be difficult to do until you nurse the bird back to health and even then you might have to wait for a molt session to see what the natural feather quality is. long story short, if the beak is graying with a lot of roughness and scratch scars - it's probably a pretty old bird. if the feathers are naturally rough, stiff, breaking off - it's either an old bird or unhealthy bird. and personality wise, if you have proven through the use of a good veterinarian that the bird is healthy and normal without complications, yet the bird sleeps a lot or is very quiet for its species - then its probably quite old.

edit: and if the bird has a bracelet/band this may make it much easier for you to track down the bird's history. most bands are from breeders, you'll just have to search them down through the bird band registry found through Google.

TO ADD ON...

I am a veterinarian in the Humane Society. I determine the ages of all sorts of animals. Birds just happen to be one of them.

For larger birds, you must first take into account, when and where you adopted/purchased them. To check the certain age, slither their upper head feathers. The skull should be there. Gently tap on their skull and watch the bird's action. If it closes its eyes and reopens, it is indicating that they are getting old or sick. If it does not react much and gets really annoyed, they can still live a few years.

Answer 3

If bird is young, it has big, dark eyes, lighter coloured beak and toes compared to adults. When cockatiel is about 6-12 months old, it looks like an adult bird, and it's not possible anymore to tell it's age.

Answer 4

When the beak grows long and pointed, and the nails curl over. Ruffled feathers, and sleeps a lot during the day.

Answer 5

You can't once it has adult feathers