For the Love of Birds?

[HoloholoGirl]

Aloha! I have a little bit of a problem here, bird lovers-- I'm not one. Yet. But it seems my boyfriend desperately wants a cockatiel. Please help me understand the joys you all seem to feel for these creatures! I really do want to understand...

[Doyle'sMommy]

Hello and welcome! I got my first bird about 5 months ago and as you can see below I now have 3 and one on the way. When I got my first bird I never knew how affectionate and loving they can be! I thought it would be fun to get a bird and teach it to talk and maybe have it stand on my shoulder. I admit the first week was really tough, they are alot of work- keeping cages clean, fixing fresh food, etc. But the first time Doyle feel asleep on my chest my heart was his. Here was this tiny little creature who should be terrified of me and who instead trusts me enough to turn over on his back and fall asleep on me.

They are incredibly smart, sociable, affectionate, and loving animals. My cockatiel came from a bad home and still she loves me and treats me as a member of her flock. She snuggles in my hair, preens me, and jumps all around her cage when I get home until I take her out. Everytime I walk up to her she puts her head down wanting me to scratch it for her. She is an absolute doll! I have to say that earning the trust of a bird is an amazing feeling!

We have had dogs, cats, fish, hampsters, but nothing compares to the love and trust of a bird. It's a bond that can't be explained unless you live it yourself. Also another reason they really appeal to me is they can live a long time! I love knowing that if my birds are properly cared for (with diet and regular vet visits) they can live a LONG time with me, some will outlive me.

If you are not sure you want a bird look around and find some good breeders in your area and go and visit. Spend some time with the birds, look into what it takes to care for one properly. It's more than a cage and some seed for sure! They need lots of good toys, perches, safe cages, fresh food, cooked food, cleaning. It is a major lifestyle change if done properly. Good luck! I hope you do what is right for you and your bf.

[HoloholoGirl]

Thank you, Doyle'sMommy! That is very helpful.

[dgcashier]

Most new bird owners are just amazed at the intelligence of these little guys. And once they love you, you are loved with a passion! They are very much like children of around 3-5 years old and learn the some way children do. If you learn about what they like and dislike, living with them is the best life ever.

[Copper]

Picture if you can, the first child born. You go through the months of waiting and preparation, the pain of birth. Then there is this wonderfully formed little being that needs you, as much as you want him. You forget the pain, because you are holding this precious gift, and even years down the road, you will remember the first times.... the first look of love and trust, the first steps, the first day of school.... and there will always be love, even if they tick you off.
That's kind of like the love with birds. My second bird came abused, so did my third, and so did the last, a greenwing macaw.
Yesterday for the first time she actually said 'step up' and raised her foot. She's heard it from me every day, several times a day since she came home. Yesterday, she wanted up..... she wanted to be with me. She did it again today. Those are firsts... and even if she doesn't understand love like we do, she does understand choices...
Parrots choose us, and it's an honor.

[Sally]

If you get the right bird for you, it is a WONDERFUL thing!!! I have the perfect bird for me. I wanted an active, fun, but quiet parrot. My Parrotlet Chipper is all of those things. I love HER, the silly things she does and I love the TOYS! Parrots are so smart! You have to wait to earn thier trust and when you do, wow!

[gbird]

I haven't really ever owned, excuse me, been owned by a bird, except for a couple of Finches I had years ago.

I started working at Petco, and loved watching the Budgies, then we got Pita in. He was 2 months old, and I learned very quickly how to handfeed him, and we bonded solid.

I've said it before, and like others have said, until you've been loved by a bird, you don't know what you are missing. Here is this little, thinking thing, that really is a wild animal, and yet they choose to let you into thier world, thier love is unconditional, and the trust is unbreakable. When Pita climbs in my shirt, turns over on his back, and just sits there for hours, I can't put into words the love I have for him. He fills up all those little empty places in my heart. I love just sitting and watching him preen, play, eat, sleep. He makes me laff everyday. I love when he sits on my shoulder, and preens my ears & hair. I love when we go out, how good he is just sitting on my shoulder, and the reaction from people. I've learned patience that I never thought I would have. That was the one thing that worried me before I got him, that I wouldn't have the patience, but it just comes naturally. Even when he pooped on my PC monitor and shorted it out, then said "good Boy?"....I couldn't be mad at him. He's my best friend.

It will happen for you, and when it does, watch out.....it's a whole 'nother world being owned by a bird, and one I wouldn't trade for the world.

[MaryG1959]

we have two grey cockatiels, one that was a hand fed weaned baby when we got him and another was found (we made repeated attempts to locate his owner).

The one that was weaned is an awesome bird, talks and is very sweet. THe other one is "not as" sweet but still a great little bird.

Cockatiels are HUGE birds stuck in tiny bodies in my opinion. I think they are great first birds.

**** Note, if you have asthma and allergies you should know that cockatiels & cockatoos--and greys are powder down birds and may irritate your air passages. I have asthma, but I keep air filters on "all the time"

Good Luck w/your decision!!!

[Missi]

I was never really a bird lover, never really interested in keeping birds....

One day my boyfriend and I were at a pet store and there was this yellow Indian Ringneck. We were waiting in the check out line so we decided to just pick him up and holding for a minute. He was the sweetest little creature ever and weeks after, I could not get him out of my mind. I went back a couple weeks later and brought him home.

He has since passed away due to an accident. I could not stand to have the house without a bird presence so we got Jasmine.

I truely believe once you've bonded with a sweet baby, you'll be hooked.

I boyfriend actually didn't even care for birds, now he just adores them!

Hope this helps!

[RingneckedPrincess]

Parrots...what's not to like about them? If you can deal with the messes they make (tiels can be messy but WORTH it) and can provide a great varied diet...you ought to be fine.

Once they love you...it's there forever. It is a deeper bond, atleast for me, than any cat or dog I ever had. I cried harder and longer when my Aggie and Bodi died...it still hurts to think about it now! Even rescues can trust again...

Dani