budgies vs. cockatiels

[Stasia]

I'm just posting to hear some pros and cons from owners or former owners of these two breeds. This will be my second bird and I have been forever torn between the two, they both seem like wonderful birds to have but I can really only get one or the other right now. Please, please, please....post away any thoughts, experiences, or advice about these birds personalities, voice levels (for an apartment), and pros and cons. Thanks so much everyone...and have a great weekend!!

Stasia

[Rue]

This of course is just my opinion based on my experiences:

I've had cockatiels for over 20 years. My daughter has had budgies since Feb. of this year.

I enjoy the antics and personalities of both - and would never trade in my 'tiel experiences. But since getting my larger parrots I find I enjoy the more 'parroty' behaviours the most. I love watching them walk foot over foot, holding things with their feet, etc.

The cockatiels are not as parroty, and the budgies I find move a bit too fast for me to really enjoy watching them, as much as I do the others.

If I were to do it all again...a small first bird...I would seriously consider a lineolated parakeet. They have all the large parrot behaviours I find so engaging, yet are the size of a budgie and are relatively quiet.

Otherwise I find no particular cons about either 'tiels or budgies...

[basketbagley]

Oh my, that's a tough one. Right now I'm most bonded with my tiel. Tinkerbell. But I love all my fids. the keets are adorable and can also be great pals, but I'm more entertained by my bigger guys right now, the tiel and the Princess parrot.

I would really suggest to see what is available in your area as far as hand fed birds. They really do make the best pets. If you can find a breeder that hand feeds or at least tames & socialized the budgies that would be awesome. Even if it cost alot more to get one, it's worth the extra.

I've got 2, 1 from petsmart, 1 from breeder but parent fed. Both are taking a lot more effort to train and tame than a hand fed baby would. so if you are the kind of person that looses patience easily, I'd go with what you can get hand fed. Tiels are usually available from breeders hand fed.

Also you could consider the cost to purchase each. budgies are cheaper of course, but the rest, a 24 x 24 cage (recommended size for both) and vet costs & food & toys will all be about the same for either.

Of course if money isn't an issue, there are other birds to consider that are small to med size that could fit well w/an apartment setting. But not a conure! too noisy!

Read all you can about each species and maybe see if there's a place or someone who has them so you can interact w/them too.

here is a great link to my breeder's webpage, got's some other species there too you can look at..

www.mandtexoticbirds.com

[danforth3]

I have tiels and budgies. My tiels are definitely more interactive than this pair of budgies I have, but that is probably because they are bonded to each other. However, the budgies will let me son take them everywhere. He puts them on his shoulders, in his hands, pockets of his shirt and they are happy to ride along, where the tiels will only interact with him on their terms. The budgies do real well with a 6 year old boy.

Budgies are great companions as are tiels. It is hard to chose. They are both good small sized companion birds, but if I were looking for a second bird that is amiable, especially with children, I would have to say budgie.

[Monica]

I've had budgies far longer than I've had cockatiels (and currently, I only have one tiel, which is enough for now!). I also have bourkes (come in gorgeous colors!).

Anyway, between budgies and cockatiels, I'd go with a handraised tiel, as they are much tamer, enjoy playing or exploring, getting headscritches, etc! I haven't handled a handraised budgie before so am somewhat biased as far as that goes, however I prefer the 'bigger' guys because the smaller ones just make me worry too much if one of them gets out (my cockatiel and conure live cage-free where-as my 2 bourkes, and 2 budgies are in flight cages). I've also noticed that it's easier to get a larger bird to try the foods that you are eating so that you can be more sure that they are getting a healthy diet.

[lyoness]

I agree, Monica. By the way: what's a "bourke"?

[Monica]

Bourkes are a type of grass parakeet, and also tend to be the cheapest (25$ +) for one.

Here are two normal bourkes and a rosie bourke


They also come in blues, greens, and yellows!

Grass parakeets include the species with the scientific name "Neophema" though can also include "Psephotus" and "Platycercus". Some people may even include the linnies...

So as far as a list of grass keets, here is one (besides bourkes)

Lineolated "Linnies" (come in various greens and blues, as well as grey, yellow, and white)



Scarlet-chested Parakeet-male (may also come in blues and yellows and pied)



Turquoisine Parakeet-male (comes in yellow, pied, opaline)



Elegant Parakeet-female (comes in yellow and pied)



Here are some of the other ones sometimes considered grass parakeets if your interested in looking them up ( http://www.arndt-verlag.com/austral.htm )

Green Rosella
Crimson Rosella
Adelaide Rosella
Yellow Rosella
Eastern Rosella
Blue-cheeked Rosella
Northern Rosella
Western Rosella
Red-rumped Parrot
Mulga Parrot
Bluebonnet
Golden-shouldered Parrot
Paradise Parrot

[LivingFiction]

Cockatiels. I love them both, but have a special place in my heart for cockatiels. Someday we'll probably have one.

[Dayna]

COCKATIELS are the coolest. :) (nah, I am not partial or nothin!)

[BirdzRmylife]

I too have a "pair" of budgies, and a "pair" of cockatiels. And, well I'm partial to the 'tiels as well. Personally, I like the tiels, because of they're "bigger" size, their sweet personality, temperament, ability to whistle tunes, and the list goes on.

Pros of budgies;
- They're pretty, and cute
- Not as loud as larger birds
- Good talkers

Cons of budgies;
- Messy
- Skittish

Pros of tiels;
- Cute
- Sweet temperament, and personality
- Bulky size, "easier "to handle
- Depending on your tiel they can be quiet,...or see cons LOL

[b]Cons of Tiels;[b]
- Create a large amount of dust
- Can be loud at times

Therefore, I have nothing against the budgies, but I love the tiels!