Looking into buying a cockatiel

[roastedpeppers]

I went to a local pet shop today. They have two hand-fed baby cockatiels. They told me they're a month old. The one bird was very nice. He knew how to step up and liked sitting on shoulders. Is there anything I should look for when buying a cockatiel? I have a parakeet already but hows it like owning a cockatiel? Do they make good pets? Do they tend to stay friendly? Any help would be nice. Thank you :)

[christie99]

Tiels make great pets. At a month old, they are more than likely still being hand fed, 4 weeks is VERY early for weaning.

I would avoid pet store birds unless it is a mom and pop place that you trust. Handfeeding is dangerous for the health of the bird unless it is done properly. Early weaning is also dangerous.

Tiels are great birds. I would house it seperately from your budgie, since tiels are more laid back. They can become friends, but it is best if they have their own space as well. Are you prepared to run quarantine in your house? When bringing in a new bird, it is necessary. I have a link about it if you need to learn about proper quarantine procedures.

When looking for a tiel, you need to look for a bird that is outgoing, not needy, in my expierence, needy tiels, while good pets, don't do as well in multi-bird households. You want to look for an active bird that is clean, does not have soiled feathers, if handfed that they have been eating on their own for at least 2 weeks with NO supplimental feedings, bright eyes, clean nares. I would also have a vet check the bird. Many handfed birds have the chance to have contracted Asper, which is deadly if not treated.

Tiels stay friendly if you interact with them. They generally don't like to be petted, but many will accept head scratches. In fact, petting them is not encouraged, it is sexually stimulating to birds and can bring them into breeding condition.

There is a thread called First Bird?? a little bit down the page, there is quite a bit of info about tiels on there as well.

[roastedpeppers]

oh is this cage good for cockatiels? I already have this extra one. Prevue Hendryx Finch Flight Cage at PETCO

It's a mom and pop shop. I'm not sure if they were hand fed? It said hand raised?
Thanks :)

[ashxo]

I dunno about them being a month old.. Cindi was still quite clumsy at that age and stepping up without the wobbles was a task, let alone resting on shoulders. Could have just been her though I guess xP
Is there any way you could snap a picture of them to show us?

Hand raised basically means they've been raised by humans, which includes hand feeding formula with a spoon or syringe :)

[roastedpeppers]

They were eating seeds so maybe theyre older? I can put up a picture I took with my cellphone.

[roastedpeppers]

cockatiel.jpg heres a picture of the bird

[christie99]

1. That cage is not good for a tiel. You will need one that is 24x24x24 at least, and one that does not have doors that lift up. Tiels are smart and learn to lift those doors pretty quickly, making a dangerous situation. If they get their head caught, it can kill them.

2. Those babies are still really young. Find out what they mean by hand raised, when the hatch date was, and if they are eating on their own, how long they have been doing so. Even for a parent raised bird, 4 weeks is very young. You say they are eating the seeds, are you sure? Many weaning tiels will play with the seeds when still taking feedings for a while.

[roastedpeppers]

Okay I'll ask them.
My parakeet learned how to open those doors so we use clips to keep them shut.

[roastedpeppers]

I just called they said they were hatched around the begining of September and they are weaned and eating seeds.

[christie99]

I would find out how long they have been weaned. They are very young.