Are Cockatiels Color Blind? 

It is not a secret that animals have entirely different visions than us, humans.

Dogs, cats, birds, and any other animals see the world in a different color, angle, and degree, and they vary from one another too.

In particular, birds are considered to be one of the animals with great field of vision. 

Have you ever wondered how your cockatiels see you?

Some say that cockatiels are color blind, but in fact, we are actually the one who are color blind!

Cockatiels are tetrachromatic, meaning they are capable of seeing another extra color compared to humans – Ultraviolet.

Hence, this allows cockatiels to see the world with a wider palette of colors helping them to navigate the surroundings, see prey, find mates, and hide from predators. 

Pretty interesting right!

Here’s what you’re going to discover in this article

So if you’re interested in learning all about Cockatiels and their vision, you’re going to love this article

Sound good?

Let’s get started!

Can Cockatiels See In The Dark? 

As a cockatiel owner, you’ve probably encountered your precious bird in great distress at night.

You may have witnessed them squawking, thrashing, beating wings, and other wild behavior when the moon is already up.

This phenomenon is called night frights, whereas cockatiels experience and show extreme fright during nights. 

No one knows the reason behind this, but it is said that it may be because they have low-night vision where they cannot see everything clearly.

As you know, cockatiels can be prey animals for other predators and they only rely on their senses at night to stay safe. 

Cockatiels can see in the dark, but it’s not that perfect.

In fact, they can only see a dim environment, which is the reason why they are easily scared at night.

Some owners counter night frights by adding a small light in the room, keeping all the windows and doors closed which helps their cockatiels feel safe and at ease. 

Are Cockatiels Blind? 

Cockatiels are definitely not blind by nature.

In fact, these birds, like others, have one of the greatest visions since they have double photoreceptors in their eyes compared to humans.

In simpler words, they have a wider vision range allowing them to see the smallest details easily. 

Your cockatiel is also more amazing than you think.

They are also capable of seeing ultraviolet light, making them tetrachromatic.

Humans are only trichromatic where they can only see three primary colors: green, blue, and red.

Cockatiels, on the other hand, can see an additional color: the ultraviolet, allowing them to see the world in different light. 

This fact debunks the idea that cockatiels are color blind.

If we are going to analyze, it could be the other way around: humans are the ones who are color blind since we are unable to see UV light. 

What Is The Rarest Color For a Cockatiel? 

Given how cockatiels have great eye and color vision, it is pretty interesting to see if there are any colors that they consider rare to see.

While this question really piques the interest and curiosity of many owners, there’s really no possible way to confirm which color or what color it is. 

It is safe to assume as well that cockatiels may have different opinions or perceptions regarding colors.

Some may or may not consider a color rare, depending on the bird.

After all, your cockatiel is entirely different from other birds.

They are all unique from one another. 

Related article you may find interesting – Can cockatiels see ghosts?

Do Cockatiels Have a Favorite Color? 

Cockatiels are lovely birds and everyone who owns one would definitely agree, like you.

For almost everyday you spend your time with your precious pet bird, you have most likely observed that there are certain colors that your cockatiel loves. 

For instance, whenever they see the color green, they would approach it or always excitedly go for it.

Some cockatiels enjoy bright colors, as claimed by some bird owners.

Others also say there are colors that their pets seem to hate, such as red, blue, or yellow as they always attack objects colored in those hues. 

But it doesn’t mean that all cockatiels love bright colors or all of them hate colors like red or blue.

It still heavily depends on the bird.

You see each bird is different and has their own preferences, not just in color, but in food, toys, perches, and others. 

While favorite colors vary for birds, it is for certain that cockatiels may have a favorite and a hate color. 

Which Bird Is Color Blind? 

As unbelievable it may seem, nocturnal birds, such as owls, are actually the ones who are most likely color blinds.

Their huge, bright eyes at night have a reflector located in their retina that reflects light.

However, this doesn’t affect their capability to see things with a wider field of vision.

Most birds are able to see things with lots of vibrant colors.

Cockatiels, parrots, budgies, and other brightly-colored birds are not color blind.

In fact, the brighter the birds are in terms of colors, the less likely they are to be color blind. 

Wrapping Up 

Cockatiels have an amazing field and range of vision.

They are also tetrachromatic whereas they are able to see another color which is the Ultraviolet light.

Though these birds can see the world in a different level of degree, they are most likely vulnerable at night.

Cockatiels can see very minimum in the dark, which is why they can sometimes experience night frights.

Still, these amazing birds will still be considered as great and lovely companions for many people.