Considering Taking in a Tiel

[KiwiNme]

Hello! Some of you might know me from the budgie board. I currently have 2 budgies and I am strongly considering adopting a tiel from a friend.

The friends are getting rid of the bird because they recently had a baby. Their reasoning is that they do not have enough time for it anymore, (as the wife doesnt' like birds at all anyway) and were woried about germs with the baby. I am actually curious about this, as we are planning on having children in 2+ years. People keep dogs and cats around with babies...is there a different threat with birds? (besides Clamydiosis) Is this something the bird needs to be tested for regardless of it's appearing healthy, or just watch for? I know it can be transmitted to humans, but what about budgies? (and yes, I will quaranteen)

It sounds like he (Tiki) has only been fed a seed mix...and he's about 2 years old. I am hoping I can get him on fresh foods and a little pellet without too much trouble. Ha! He likes his head rubbed, and will tell you with a squawk when you rub the wrong way. He likes to talk, and will be with you on your shoulder as long as you'll let him. It might be interesting having 2 talkers!

My main concern is that we like the cockatiel mannerisms and mostly that he and my other two can get along well. I was told that he was around a friend's budgie before, and wanted to make friends, but the budgie wasn't so sure about that idea. I feel an obligation to keep my fids happy. While I love to help out and give this tiel a good home, I don't want to do so at the expense of my budgies since I committed to them first. Is it safe to have my budgies out with the tiel? I have hear of them in aviaries together, but I am just worried since this bird isn't used to sharing attention or having another bird around. During the day when I am home they pretty much have free reign of the house and I will not take that away. Do any of you have both out together? As silly as it may sound, I am afraid of upsetting Kiwi, my tame male budgie, as he is used to being my buddy and not sharing me. I figured I could take him out of the cage first and let him have a few moments with me alone, and then take Tiki out so that Kiwi is still in his 'place'. Possibly that would help.

Anything Tiel specific I should know before adopting? Sorry this is so long, I am just concerned for the sake of my other birds! Thank you!

[Rue]

...switching diets make take a while - and with my male cockatiel, it never really ever happened...so I just keep offering him a variety of food, and he gets vitamins to ensure his nutrient intake is sufficient...

...we have 2 budgies and 2 'tiels and they get along relatively well...not cuddly with each other or anything close to that, but kind of sibling-style squawking...lots of noise, beak-fighting...but that's as far as it's ever gone...

...I've even seen the 4 of them peacefully eating together on the bottom of the 'tiels cage! It was pretty cute...

...I've had pets (always 2 dogs and at least 1 cat), inlcuding the 'tiels, long before I had my 3 kids and I've never had a problem health wise...but I was always careful - and I'll just mention that salmonella is another potential germ you might want to research...

...when my 3 kids were toddlers, I was more concerned for the birds, toddlers can be so rough...but with a little care it never turned out to be an issue for us...

However, at some point you'll likely find that the kids take up more time than you anticipated and that you have less for the pets...if you arrange your household so that the pets are happy, they can manage quite well with a little less personal attention from you while you're devoting that time to your children...

Good luck with your decision!

[KiwiNme]

Thanks for your response Rue, it was quite helpful

[KiwiNme]

Clamydiosis) Is this something the bird needs to be tested for regardless of it's appearing healthy, or just watch for? I know it can be transmitted to humans, but what about budgies? (and yes, I will quaranteen)

Anything Tiel specific I should know before adopting?

Does anyone have any answers to these questions? Thanks!

[Tiki]

Tiels and budgies usually get along together. In Australia, they are found in the same outback areas quite happily. Tiels are more passive than budgies and they are very sweet natured and affectionate. I don't think having a baby is a good reason to get rid of a bird, I see no reason why people can't have both. Having said that, Manu joined our family because of his previous owner having a baby, and their loss is our gain. Manu is the sweetest little tiel you could ever hope to meet! I would say go for it-adopt the tiel, you won't regret it!

Perfect name too!

[KiwiNme]

LOL, name sound a bit familiar? ;)

We are scheduled to get him on Monday. I am very excited!

That is interesting that you also adopted a bird because of someone having a baby. I totally don't understand the thinking behind that! My mother is driving him up Monday, and of course she asked why the friends were getting rid of him. When I said because of the baby and germs she needed no further explaination, plus I got a lecture, lol. After that, I thought maybe I was the one who was off.

[Rue]

...not at all! Non-animal people just don't understand the fascination or the interest in an animal as an individual instead of just a representative of the group...

...so for them the novelty wears off quickly and they learn what they want to know about the animal in very short order...

...I tend to stay fascinated by animals and their behaviour, so it never gets boring or dull for me...

...however, I tend to remain practical about animals as well...they are animals, and not just eternally childish little people in funny suits...but with the birds I'm giving myself permission to 'play' with them to my heart's content...so I get to be as impractical I want, buy them whatever I want (well, within reason), and be as silly as I want...

...lots of fun!!!...

[KiwiNme]

...they are animals, and not just eternally childish little people in funny suits...

LOL!

Yes, though we animal-lovers know they are not mini-people (lol) there's such a difference in mentality...

Some of our other friends had a canary who became ill from overheating pans and burning candles... ...Since the bird would no longer sing, they didn't want it anymore (just wanted to buy a NEW bird ), so I said we would gladly take him. At least they moved him to another house temporarly, but the bird ended up being handed over to a couple boys at a garage sale. I will never understand that mentality.

[Rue]

...oh no! They'd rather sell an animal at a garage sale than give it to a bird person????

[basketbagley]

Hi There, I have 2 budgies a tiel and a Princess Parrot. The tiel loves his budgies and they him. they preen him as much as he will let them. it's soo cute, I call it Tinkerbell's budgies harem! I can let all of my guys out together and they usually get along fine. The Princess I have to watch with my younger budgie Peekaboo, they get into once in a while, nothing major, but I'm overly protective! they usually have disagreements about food!

I did cage my 1st budgie with my tiel while I was out during the day. they loved each other too much, so that's why I got the 2nd budgie! My Sunny girl would bite me if I tried to pet or handle her tiel! all is well now, no more biting! as the 2 budgies are bonded, and I'm almost certain I have a male and a female and will one day have a nest of eggs!

I also say go for the tiel, he sounds delightful!