Elmo The Cockatiel

Updated Post on 12 July 2008, 13 June 2009

These are Elmo's latest photographs.
Elmo was quite uneasy taking pictures today.
But after some coaxing plus praising!
Elmo is a happy bird!







Facts About Cockatiel
Scientific name : Nymphics Hollandicus
Lifespan : 10 - 15 years

Their name were derived from Dutch word "Kakatielje" meaning "Little Cockatoo".
Australia is the native home for Cockatiels. In 1894, Australia banned exportation of all native birds.
Hence, our pet cockatiels are all bred domestically!
The Lutino cockatiel is most affected by the genetic defects giving them balding on the head.

Cockatiels wings need to be trim every 4 - 6 months. Their nails also need some trimming.

Breeding :Ideal breeding age is 18 months. A clutch consists of 4-5 eggs, each size is approx. of one's thumbnail. Eggs are laid once every two days and incubated for about 19 days. Hatchlings are weaned in 4 weeks. Puberty is reached around 9 months. Adulthood is reached around 15 months.

Sexing : Only after the 1st molt (aprrox. 6 - 9 months of age) , the adult colouring will show.
For normal gray cockatiels : Males have bright yellow face. Female has grey face with traces of pale yellow.
After the molt, the male's tail feathers will be solid gray color & the female will remain patterned.
Food that can Kill your cockatiel : Alcohol, avocado or chocolate.

Post Additions on 12 July 2008 : Added 4 photos!
Elmo lastest photos - taken on 8 July 2008
Has Elmo grown?

Elmo favourite pastime - Standing by the windows and watch people and cars goes by!
Sometimes, she will also just fell asleep standing in the windows grilles!





Yesterday, Elmo went for her 2nd wing clippings.
Then I took her for a one day tour around Singapore!
Aha...we simply went to some Neighbourhood places, Orchard and Raffles Place.
I noticed that Elmo really likes to look around and very curious about her surroundings.
Some strangers will pat her on her back.
Some says she's cute.
A funny thing happened.
I was in the carpark and had Elmo standing on top of her transportation cage.
A guy came by my car and asked me "Is that bird a real bird?"
As Elmo was just standing there, not moving around... I laughed!
"No...it's real" I replied!
By the time I got home at about 8 plus... she was very sleepy.
She rested and was quiet for about an hour but started to jump around her cage afterwards.
Oh boy...birds are really active!

Post additions 13 June 2009
Elmo flew out of my windows this afternoon.
He flew out and up and in just a few seconds...out of sight!

Something For You

This morning I recevied an E-mail from a friend.
I've selected some of the pictures to be posted here.
These pictures makes my day and I hope it'll you smile too!

I AM GETTING SO FAT I CAN HARDLY SCRATCH MY OWN BUTT!!














THESE MORNING WALKS ARE KILLING ME!!!!

















OK, NOW DONT MOVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK!

SORRY MUM, I'M NEW AT THIS!

I REALLY NEED TO GET GOING, BUT JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET MOTIVATED.............

IM SO CUTE, THEY WONT CARE IF I SHRED THIS!!

NICE DOGGIE...GOOD BOY!

WHAT PETS DO WHEN WE'RE AT WORK

HAVE YOU SMILED TODAY???

(Credits:Photographer & words - Unknown)

Blood Splattered!

When I got home after dinner just now, I was shocked to see blood all over Elmo's cage.
I blinked my eyes...
I thought my eyes were blur or maybe the cage is dirty...
Looked again and it smelled blood.
Elmo was standing a one corner, his back was partially stained with blood.
Tail feathers in a mess...
Elmo looks tired but were looking my way.
At least still alert.
Quickly, I clear out his cage.
Spotted 2 broken feathers.
I suspected Elmo's feathers were caught on the metal chains I used to chain the cuttlebone.
The chain was stucked between the wire mesh flooring.
Even I had a hard time taking it out.
Elmo must have somehow got stuck in between.
Poor thing!
Such a small little bird and lose so much blood.
I wonder if he'll be ok...
Arugh...so sad!

Elmo Update 3

Elmo's private gym.
Aha... Elmo was afraid at first.
Seeing Elmo walking in reverse gear is funny.
I guessed that's how bird reacts when
they are afraid.
Walking backwards, away from danger...
Now, Elmo is loving it.
Everytime I leave it on the floor, you'll see a very quick action bird coming to play.









Elmo's favourite swing.









Infos on Elmo's growth :
Elmo is completely on bird seeds & millets.
He has weaned a couple of weeks ago.
I do recommend other bird keepers to practice "Abundance Weaning" too.
In short, it means to feed the baby bird till they don't want to eat the hand fed milky food anymore.
Personally, I feel this way it the best for the bird.
When I tried to cut the baby feedings, Elmo was screaming mad.
Even though I've put a variety of foods inside Elmo's house.
He wouldn't eat at all.
As if he simply cannot see the food at all.
But when I fed him on milk and his stomach is full bloat.
You'll see a happy bird exploring his surroundings and food.
I prepared the same amount of fed, 20 ml per feeding.
Fed till he don't want to eat anymore.
You'll noticed that as day goes by.(Ensure lots of food & water is available).
The bird intake will be reduced, not by me but by the bird itself.
20ml to 15ml, then it became 10, 8 ml, 5ml...
Elmo WEANED happily !!!

My favourite birds site&forum is listed below:
http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/

Elmo Baby Gallery

This post made for my pet cockatiel which arrive home on Sunday.
Elmo is about close to 2 months as told by the pet shop.
I'll start naming the days from the day Elmo arrive.
Pictures are captures on different days to see Elmo progress.
Please be back to visting this SAME POST as I'll continue to update till Elmo turns adult.

ELMO - 2nd Day


















ELMO-3rd Day















ELMO - 4th Day

































Elmo - 5th day














Post Additions on 18 January 2008
6th Day At Home



















7th Day














8th Day

Do you think Elmo looks like a hen? Elmo also like to sleep in this position.

Hello, Kiss!Kiss!



















11th Day

Elmo learning to eat solid food.

Out for a walk.














13th Day














I transferred Elmo to the bird stand today.
Elmo seems rather happy too.
You see Elmo walk round and round.
Jump up and down. Whistle Whistle...
Well, I glad Elmo likes it.

Caution Look. New House !

Stretching Wings

Baby Cockatiel

Today announces the arrival of 1 baby cockatiel.
Aha, actually it's just I've brought it in the pet shop this morning.
Arrived home in a small little box with shreds of old newspaper.
It was making sounds and seems very afraid becuase it's shaking.
Hope it will settle down soon.
It's been ages since I kept a pet bird.
20 or 25 years ago, maybe... Can't remember now.
I've got so many questions I need to ask.
Last night, I was reading books about cockatiels till about 3am.
Now having a bad headache...
If there's anyone out there keeping cockatiels, do pass me some tips about caring from them. Thanks in advance.















I brought a bird stand on Friday.
Had wanted to prepare everything ready before purchasing the bird.
But the bird is too young to use it.
So, it's now in the plastic box.















This is the stand for my cockatiel. Use a plastic sheet to wrap around the bottom half. It'll help to prevent seeds from dropping all over the place. Cleaning is also easy with the removable tray.















According to the pet shop, it'll take about another 2 weeks before it can be on solid food and eating on it's own. The feeding now is restricted to milk powder and feeding through syringe.
Formula is 1 spoon of milk power plus 3 part lukewarm water.
"Make sure it is not too thick or hot too." as told by the pet shop owner.

Feeding is 2 times a day - 8ml. Feed 3 times if you want it to grow fast but cannot feed too much. Also put some spray millets in the box, to gradually introduce solid food.
The pet shop said the bird is now about close to 2 months.
2 weeks later, I should bring back to the shop to check if the wings needed to be trimmed. I just went to the take a peep at him/her? Seemed to be better now. Maybe it's the clock I've put beside the box. Tick, Tick, Tick sound got some calming effect!
I'll need to get some toys too. I read from the books they love playing with toys but you'll need to change it to prevent them getting bored. Hee, Hee, just like me!
Toys... Toys... Toys! Hurray!

Post Addtions : 10.04pm
I almost got heart attack feeding the baby bird.
This morning when the pet shop owner demostrates to me, it all seem easy & fast.
Just now, when I all doing it, the milk squirted all over the little baby's face.
Poor bird! Elmo seemed so hungry.
Oh yes, forget to say my cockatiel is call "ELMO."
Elmo's tiny little head just kept moving and poking at the syringe.
Making tons of noise and makes me even more panic.
Finally, it was all over... Gave Elmo 10ml of liquid food.
Now, Elmo is sleeping !!!