How bad is caffine!?

[CandyCat21]

My cockatiel casper decided to take a sip of my coffee...bad me wasn't paying attention I know birds are not supposed to have caffine. He just took one tiny sip, but my question is is this going to harm him in any way!? I've already called my AV, but she is off today, so hopefully some of you may be able to help me.
He's acting normal and feisty as usual.
Just out of curiosity too, does anyone know what effects can come from having caffine...for a short time or even over long periods? I do have a family friend overseas who owns an CAG and he HAS to have his few sips of coffee every now and then and he has had no ill effects...he's about 6 yrs now. Now they don't deliberately give it to him, he always figures out some way of stealing it behind their backs...very clever bird and up to no good LoL
Thanks for any help
Candice

[The Outlaw]

Well, a sip won't kill a larger bird, but we never really know how much is too much. Its like dogs and chocolate. Some never have a problem and other convulse and die.

I can't say my birds have never sipped my iced tea, and its my understanding that tea is actually higher in caffiene than normal coffee, but its still not good for them. Heck, its not good for me! However, my bird didn't offer it to me.

[CrazyBirdLady]

I have a tiel that steals a sip of my tea every once in a while. I'd imagine the sip of coffee your tiel took will have no ill effects as well.
I would never recommend to anyone to offer caffeine (or any of the other "bad" things for birds) frequently to their fids.
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/caffeine.htm

[CandyCat21]

Thanks guys! I figured as much...was just a little more concerned about this guy as he has just recovered from malabsorption and come off of treatment for "megabacteria" I just wanted to make sure It's funny because he's never had any until today when he stole some LoL and he just wanted more...he was trying so hard...bless his heart....to get onto that cup for more
Thanks so much

[Monica]

Most things that are said NOT to be offered normally wont cause something in the short term... but in the long term can cause problems...

I heard of one lady who gave her cockatoo a sip of coffee every morning for several years... This cockatoo used to be sweet and loving, and it became a terror, uncontrollable, screaming, biting, etc. One day she asked the vet what to do about it, and the vet told her to stop giving him coffee... she did, and within a short time, he returned back to his normal self!

[CandyCat21]

LoL sounds a lot like kids on coffee

[TooLover]

My male U2, Buck, has had coffee every day of his 11 years; I think it depends on the bird! Each and every one of my cockatoos love coffee and will tear my lips off to get to it!

[bekfreak]

My cockatiel was a coffee freak too. He'd get his one little sip on Sunday and that was it. :) I buy my coffee on the road when I'm at work so he didn't get that stuff.

[bsnnmood]

My pet budgie Sonic loves tea he flys straight to you as soon as you walk into the living room with a tea cup. Its really bad though when the teas hot you have to keep him away. We have to just lock him in his cage at times. Which i feel bad cos we usually leave the cage open for him all day so he can fly around in the living room.

Faye