Taking my cockatiel to public places a bad idea?

[KiwiJo]

Taking your bird anywhere is a risk. I take Kiwi everywhere with me, but in that kind of environment, I wouldn't suggest it. Your 'tiel could get spooked, especially with all the little kids around. And I've taken Kiwi to PetSmart. But the one I go to doesn't sell birds, so it's fairly safe (I think)

[Giovanni Lovoi]

Bad idea in my opinion. Anything could happen and you don't want to be dealing with a tiel when you should be worrying about the children.

I could never bring my tiel out. He is so shy and would get scared of everything. The only time he leaves home is to go to the vet, but he is in his travel cage.
Have fun at the party anyways!

[christie99]

Taking any bird that is not caged or on a harness is IMO, stupid. Any situation where they can be spooked, will cause a natural response to fly. Even clipped, tiels can fly far and fast. Thousands ate lost in the US alone each year because of taking risks such as this.

I agree with the person that said to get a stuffed parrot and use it for this event. Not only will that show responsibility, but your commitment to keeping your bird safe.

Also, the petsmart and petco stores are not safe either, they bring in birds from all over, many time ill. Am I the only one that remembers the petsmart bird issues from only a few years ago where the stores in the lower 48 states stopped selling birds because they were almost all infected? Not only birds, but people died as well from the infection, it was one of the few communicable diseases between our speecies. Remember, most bird illnesses are airborne.

I'm not saying to keep your bird in a bubble, but think before you take unnecessary risks.

[MonteDucklo]

Don't forget...socialization at home and socialization outside the home are two very different things. It's a process, and it takes time to become confident. One benefit of having a "portable" bird is that things like a trip to the vet or travel becomes NO big deal, not much different than a normal day without all that stress. Plus it's quite stimulating for them, like a dog, to see different things...but of course there is always some risk, sometimes the benefits outweight the risk and sometimes not. I don't think it's right for all birds (or all people especially), but in the right situation it could be beneficial. As for us, well, Ducky's a little...strange...anyway.