Bronze Fallow Cockatiel: Pictures, Facts & History
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Birds are fun animals to spend time with. They don’t take up much space, they require little grooming compared to cats and dogs, and they don’t eat much food, which is helpful to the household budget. Many different types can be kept as pets, and finding the right one is just a matter of learning about the ones that you’re most interested in so you can compare things like their needs and temperaments.
The Bronze Fallow Cockatiel is an excellent choice if you are looking for a friendly and even-tempered pet. This interesting breed has big round eyes and a yellow head.
As part of the Cockatoo family, the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel is a mutation of the standard Cockatiel that has red eyes. Hatchlings tend to have pink eyes that darken as they age until they look red. However, some birds retain light-colored eyes throughout their lives. Their bodies can be light silver, caramel, or lutino, which is a muted yellow color.
Species Overview
| Height: | 12–14 inches |
| Weight: | 75–125 grams |
| Lifespan: | 20–25 years |
| Colors: | Light silver, lutino, or caramel with yellow head |
| Suitable for: | Apartments and houses, families of all shapes and sizes |
| Temperament: | Friendly, sociable when handled regularly, even-tempered |
Bronze Fallow Cockatiel Characteristics
It’s easy to spot the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel due to its yellow head and bright red cheeks. These Cockatiels are popular pets because they are sociable and outgoing compared to many other types of birds. Both males and females look alike, but the females may be brighter in color. The males tend to be more active and vocal, while the females prefer to sit back and watch what’s going on.
This bird can be trained to do things like ring bells, climb ladders, and spread their wings. Some of them like to whistle and can learn songs, but this all depends on the bird’s unique personality and temperament. These are generally healthy birds that can live up to 25 years in captivity.
The Earliest Records of the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel in History
The Cockatiel is the only bird of the genus Nymphicus and is the smallest member of the Cockatoo family. The genus originated in Australia, where they typically live near sources of water. The Bronze Fallow as a variation originated in the United States. It’s thought that the first of their kind was hatched in the aviary of Mrs. Irma Vowels in Florida.
There is not much known about how or why this variety of cockatiels was created or how quickly they became recognized by bird lovers and pet owners throughout the world. Today, many aviaries breed this type of Cockatiel due to their popularity as household pets, their hardiness, and their gentle yet outgoing nature.
How the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel Gained Popularity
The Bronze Fallow Cockatiel became popular in the 1970s because the Cockatiel was already popular among pet enthusiasts and pet owners. This variety seemed to gain instant status overnight and has maintained their popularity ever since.
Formal Recognition of the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel
Many local and regional clubs typically focus on birdwatching, not specific birds. However, many of these clubs include Cockatiels as a whole on their watch lists and share information about them in their newsletters. There are no formal organizations, like the American Kennel Club, though, so the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel nor any Cockatiel, for that matter, is “formally recognized.”
The Top 5 Unique Facts About the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel
There is not much difference between the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel and any other Cockatiel, aside from their mutation and color variation. So, the following facts are about the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel and Cockatiels in general.
1. These Birds Are Excellent Pets for First-Time Caregivers
Cockatiels are easy to care for, are hardy enough for children to handle, and are highly social. They’re responsive to familiar voices and easily recognize their caregivers. Therefore, they make excellent pets, especially for first-time pet owners and kids.
2. Bronze Fallow Cockatiels Require Preventative Care
Just like dogs and cats, Bronze Fallow Cockatiels should receive preventative veterinary care to keep them happy and healthy throughout their lives. Birds are susceptible to health problems like respiratory infections, so checkups are always a good idea. Preventative care helps ensure that owners don’t face expensive treatments due to the development of serious health conditions.
3. The Males Tend to Be More Vocal Than the Females
Most male Cockatiels, including the Bronze Fallows, tend to be more vocal and better whistlers than their female counterparts. This is likely because they want to attract the females around them so they can mate. This makes males easier to train when it comes to whistling tunes.
4. Some of Them Can Mimic Sounds and Words
Some Cockatiels can do more than just whistle and make chirping noises. These smart birds are perfectly capable of mimicking what they hear people say and other regular noises, like honking car horns and doorbells. You never know if a Cockatiel will suddenly repeat a word you say or mimic a noise that they hear on television.
5. The Males Help Care for Babies
Unlike many other bird species, the male Cockatiel typically helps the female take care of their young. Instead of abandoning the family after reproduction, the males stick around and help protect the babies while the mothers gather food for them. The males take on the protective role for about 12 weeks until the babies can start fending for themselves.
Does the Bronze Fallow Cockatiel Make a Good Pet?
Yes! The Bronze Fallow Cockatiel makes an amazing pet for people of all ages. They are generally easy to take care of, don’t take up much space, are sociable, and are hardy enough to handle regularly. They enjoy being with their human companions but don’t mind spending time on their own. The males can be “talkative” but not excessively so. The females can be a bit more independent, but they still don’t mind interacting with others.
Conclusion
The Bronze Fallow Cockatiel is a beautiful little bird that can get along well in a variety of household settings. This particular variety of Cockatiel does not have a long or rich history but has been established as one of the most popular household pet bird types in the world.
Featured Image Credit: kikumin, Shutterstock
