Training your cockatiel to use a harness is a great way to allow your feathered friend to safely explore the outdoors. However, keep in mind that not all cockatiel harnesses are created equal when looking for the ideal one for your bird. Therefore, we are here to help you choose one of our 6 best harnesses for cockatiels.
The safety of your cockatiel should be a top priority while selecting a harness. You need to ensure that the harness you choose is safe and comfortable for your cockatiel. A badly designed harness may cause discomfort and even injury to your cockatiel.
The harness should fit properly to your cockatiel and be made of high-quality materials that are safe for it.
After researching and testing various harnesses for our cockatiels, we selected the 6 best harnesses that are most recommended and fit well for cockatiels.
In the next section, we will review all 6 best harnesses for cockatiels that you should consider purchasing.
Related read: Can Cockatiels Wear A Harness?
What Are The Best Harnesses For Cockatiels? Our Top Picks
With so many options on the market, it can be not easy to choose the right harness for your cockatiel. That’s why we will share a list of the best harnesses for cockatiels.
These harnesses are safe, comfortable, and easy to use, so you can enjoy outdoor adventures with your cockatiel without any worries.
However, before we review all the different types of cockatiel harnesses, and what makes each a great purchase choice, we’ve listed our 6 best harnesses for cockatiels below:
- Best overall: The AVIATOR Pet Bird Harness (View on Amazon)
- Best value: VANFAVORI Bird Harness (View on Amazon)
- Best premium: Avianweb EZ Bird Harness (View on Amazon)
- Dnoifne Pet Parrot Bird Harness and Leash (View on Amazon)
- HEZHUO Bird Flight Harness Vest (View on Amazon)
- VANFAVORI Bird Diaper Harness (View on Amazon)
1. Best overall: The AVIATOR Pet Bird Harness
Our pick for the best 6 harnesses for cockatiels is The AVIATOR Pet Bird Harness by Parrot University. This bird harness is a great investment for any owner who wants to take their cockatiel outside.
The AVIATOR harness is escape-proof because it doesn’t have any clasps, clips, or buckles that your cockatiel can remove. It comes with a strong steel slide that’s powder-coated in black to make it unappealing to your cockatiel.
One of the best things about the AVIATOR harness is that it is easy to put on and take off because it is a one-piece harness. It doesn’t have any clips or buckles, and only a slide keeps the harness tight.
This type of harness also comes with a self-adjusting, elastic leash. It will adjust automatically to fit your cockatiel from the chest to its back to prevent sudden impact. It has fewer points of contact with your cockatiel, so it puts less pressure on your bird’s body.
Furthermore, the AVIATOR harness is made from high-quality, durable materials that will stand up to daily use. The harness itself is made from a lightweight and breathable mesh fabric that won’t irritate your bird’s skin or feathers, and the leash is made from a strong, yet lightweight, nylon material that won’t weigh your bird down.
Many bird owners use this type of harness to teach their birds to fly freely.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to put on and take off | Some customers have reported difficulty in fitting the harness properly. |
| Escape-proof | Might be a touch uncomfortable for your cockatiel initially |
| Self-adjusting elastic leash | |
| Made from high-quality, durable materials |
2. Best value: VANFAVORI Bird Harness
Another harness that we highly recommend is the VANFAVORI Bird Harness, which is the second of our 6 best harnesses for cockatiels. This harness is easy to install and comfortable for your cockatiel to wear.
The VANFAVORI Bird Harness is made of strong, durable nylon webbing that can’t be chewed. It’s also made to fit your bird’s body, so it will be as comfortable as possible. The side closest to the feathers is made of plain weave material, making it even more comfortable for your cockatiel to wear. The front metal ring is bite-proof and light, ensuring your cockatiel’s safety during outdoor activities.
This harness is easy to put on and take off, without causing any skin irritation or feather damage to your cockatiel. The length of the leash is designed to be 2 meters, providing enough distance for outdoor sports while keeping you at an appropriate distance. Also, the harness is suitable for birds weighing between 85-105 grams.
It is important to always measure your cockatiel carefully before purchasing.
Overall, the VANFAVORI Bird Harness is a great investment for any bird owner who wants to enjoy the great outdoors with their cockatiels. With a little bit of patience and practice, your cockatiel will adjust to this harness and be flying high in no time!
| Pros | Cons |
| Available in a different colors | Only suitable for birds weighing between 85-105 grams |
| Sturdy and durable nylon webbing with anti-chewability | May take some time for your bird to adjust to it |
| Secure, adjustable design | |
| Easy to put on and take off |
3. Best premium: Avianweb EZ Bird Harness
If you’re looking for a comfortable and easy-to-use harness for your cockatiel, the Avianweb EZ Bird Harness is worth considering. It comes in many different sizes for small and large cockatiels.
We were very impressed with the Avianweb EZ Bird Harness. The vest design is much more comfortable for your cockatiel than other harnesses we’ve tried, and the elastic cord leash gives them plenty of room to move around without feeling restricted.
The installation process is also very easy and intuitive, which means you won’t need to spend too much time figuring it out.
One of the issues with other harnesses is that they often require the cockatiel’s wings to be pulled through loops, which may be uncomfortable for them. However, with this harness, that won’t be a problem anymore.
When choosing the harness size it is essential to purchase a large harness of this type, because it’s easier to train your cockatiel on it. Therefore, it’s always important to always measure your cockatiel carefully to ensure you get the right size.
Another great feature of this harness is the heavy-duty leather-like vest, which has a comfortable cotton fleece backing that breathes just like genuine leather. It has a leather-like texture and is simple to maintain; simply wipe clean. The vest disperses the pressure over a larger area of your cockatiel’s body, which puts less pressure on its delicate chest bones.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft and durable materials | Not as many color options available |
| Comes in three different sizes | |
| Easy to install | |
| The elastic cord leash is lightweight and strechy |
4. Dnoifne Pet Parrot Bird Harness and Leash
If you’re looking for a bird harness that is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use, the Dnoifne Pet Parrot Bird Harness and Leash is a great option. With anti-bite and chew resistance, it is perfect for your cockatiel.
This type of harness is made of tough nylon rope, has a comfortable handle, and comes with cute wing decorations that your cockatiel will love.
We recently purchased the Dnoifne Pet Parrot Bird Harness and Leash for our cockatiel and have been pleased with its performance. The nylon rope material is strong and durable, yet lightweight and flexible enough for our cockatiel to move around comfortably.
The harness is designed to fit the shape of the cockatiel and can be easily adjusted to fit different sizes. The handle is also a nice touch, making it easy to hold onto your cockatiel when you’re out and about.
One downside we’ve noticed is that the body strap may fall low on some cockatiels, which can be uncomfortable for them. Also, the leash comes in M size with a total length of 2 meters, which is ideal for your cockatiel.
Additionally, some birds may not like the harness at first and may need some time to adjust to wearing them. However, with patience and training, most should be able to get used to it.
We highly recommend this type of harness, and it’s also a great gift for bird lovers who enjoy taking their cockatiels to play outside.
| Pros | Cons |
| Available in different colors | May not fit all bird sizes |
| Lightweight and adjustable design | Comfortable and close to the body without hurting the wings |
| Durable nylon material with bite resistance | |
| Comfortable and close to the body without hurting wings |
5. HEZHUO Bird Flight Harness Vest
The HEZHUO Bird Flight Harness Vest is made of high-quality fleece that is comfortable and breathable for your cockatiel to wear. The latex-elastic rope leash with a length of 2 m is durable and safe, and the non-slip rubber handle design gives you added peace of mind when training your cockatiel outdoors.
While the vest is easy to put on and take off, it may take some time for your cockatiel to get used to wearing it. We recommend starting with a short-wearing session and gradually increasing the time.
Some users reported that the material feels thin and easily chewable, so it’s important to monitor your cockatiel while wearing it.
Overall, the HEZHUO Bird Flight Harness Vest is a good option for bird owners who want to train their cockatiels outdoors while keeping them safe and comfortable.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable and breathable material | It will take some time for your cockatiel to get used to it |
| Non-slip rubber handle design for added safety | The material feels thin and easily chewable |
| Comes in different sizes | The leash is not attached to the vest |
6. VANFAVORI Bird Diaper Harness
If you’re looking for a bird diaper harness, VANFAVORI Bird Diaper Harness has got you covered. This package includes a diaper, a 2-meter flying leash, and a cotton pad. The diaper itself is incredibly light, weighing in at only 4.5 grams, so your cockatiel won’t be weighed down.
This harness is specifically designed for birds weighing between 75-99 grams, making it perfect for species like cockatiels. With this diaper harness, you can say goodbye to messy floors and furniture.
Also, the VANFAVORI Bird Diaper Harness is highly absorbent and comes with a waterproof inner layer to prevent leaks, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your carpets, rugs, or furniture. Additionally, when the diaper harness gets dirty, you can easily replace it.
In our experience, the VANFAVORI Bird Diaper Harness is a good option for bird owners who want to give their cockatiels more freedom while still keeping them safe. However, your cockatiel may not accept this type of diaper harness at once. It needs an adaptation process for your cockatiel to get used to it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight material and cotton pad for comfortable wear | Suitable for birds weighing between 75-99 grams |
| Suitable for birds weighing between 75-99 grams | Suitable for birds weighing between 75-99 grams |
| Prevent cockatiels from peeing and pooping everywhere | Some birds may be able to remove the harness |
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Harnesses For Cockatiels
Now that we’ve reviewed all of our 6 best harnesses for cockatiels, we also want to share some additional points to keep in mind while you shop
Sizing and adjustability
One of the most important things to consider when buying a harness for your cockatiel is size and fit. A harness that is too loose or too tight can be uncomfortable for your cockatiel and may even cause an injury.
Therefore, ensure to measure your cockatiel properly and choose a harness that is the right size for them. Some harnesses come in different sizes, while others are adjustable. Adjustable harnesses can be a good choice if you’re not sure what size your cockatiel is or if it is still growing.
Material
The material of the harness is also important. You will want to choose a harness that is made of high-quality, durable materials that will last a long time. Some popular materials for harnesses include nylon, leather, and mesh.
However, it’s also important to choose a harness that is comfortable for your cockatiel. Look for harnesses that are lined with soft, breathable materials to prevent any irritation.
Design
The design of the harness is also important. Always look for a harness that is easy to put on and take off, as well as one that is safe and won’t come off during flight.
Some harnesses come with additional features, such as a leash or a bird diaper. These can be useful if you plan on taking your cockatiel outside, or if you want to prevent messes in your home.
Price
Finally, you should consider the price of the harness. While it’s important to choose a high-quality harness for your cockatiel, it’s not necessary to purchase the overpriced harnesses. Always look for a harness that is well-priced and fits your budget.
Conclusion
Many cockatiels love going outdoors with their owners, but what are the best harnesses for a cockatiel?
If you are thinking of taking your cockatiel outside, then you should choose a harness for your cockatiel that is escape-proof, securely fitted, and made of high-quality materials.
Older cockatiels can be stubborn, and you may need too much time to adjust them to wearing harnesses. Therefore, many bird owners introduce the idea of wearing a bird harness while their cockatiel is still young.
