Looking for a New Bird

I have had my pet budgie Delta for 4-5 months and she and I have gotten really close over that time. I enjoy having her and nothing is wrong with her, I just have been thinking about getting a cockatiel a lot recently. I’ve been thinking about it for a month or two and if it wasn’t for the price I may have already gotten one. I’m a college student in Kansas and live by myself in the dorms, but I don’t want to get a bird that I don’t feel like I’m doing enough for. A cockatiel seems very interesting but I didn’t know how well the two paired up. I was worried about the cockatiel’s powder messing with Delta’s respiratory system. Not to mention I want to care and love them both of course, do you think I would have enough time for the both of them?

Welcome and so glad you reached out!!!

Very respectfully, I would absolutely not get another bird until you are graduated and working a steady job---and living in a home or duplex or something. Powder down in a dorm would also be unhealthy for you too in such a small space-- not just your first bird....Even birds in apartments are super complicated/risky (although 2 birds in a dorm would be unkind and harmful to the birds). You have your entire life ahead of you, and you want to make sure you can promise your birds the best and safest lives possible--if it is a priority for you, within the next few years, I am positive you will be able to do this-- but you have to graduate, move into a better housing situation and have a solid, full-time job before getting another.

The initial cost of the bird itself is the SMALLEST cost of ownership..if that makes you think twice, you are not in the proper financial situation to take the plunge...Yearly vet visits, blood work, toys, large cages (not the tiny ones they try to sell at PetSmart)...

1. I do not feel that you have enough time for 2, as they may not get along, and if they don't, you are looking at 4-6 total separate hours of interaction time per day ( 2-3 per day, per bird). That would be nearly impossible for a college student...You could end up dealing with crazy jealously issues if you interact with one and the other sees it too-- and you definitely wouldn't have the space to keep them apart. Plus, despite their size, they are as smart as larger parrots--- so you need to give them the attention they deserve...think 3-year-old child...Could you keep 2 toddlers in a dorm and attend to them properly on your schedule? If so, now imagine that they could literally kill each other...I am very hopeful that your current bird is getting the interaction it needs...2 hours minimum...also hoping he gets out of his cage etc...I am posting a link to an all-too-common thread---this was posted just a few days ago, and it is a popular issue: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrotlets/86023-rehoming-green-parrotlet.html

2. When you get a new bird, you must quarantine it for at least 30 days in a totally separate room/space--and get it tested (including blood work and disease panels) I am not sure how you would manage that when your house is one-room and when finances are tight (college is rough like that)...on top of that, a cockatiels cage is going to take up a lot of space..there is no way that even a luxury dorm would have enough space for both.

3. Your housing situation is problematic-- 2 birds are much louder than 1 (not just because there are 2 voices, but because they will talk and interact to you and the other bird) . Even if that doesn't bother your hall-mates, things may change when you move out and have to potentially live in an apartment with non-college neighbors (who may also do things like smoke etc which will get into your unit).

4. You do not know what kind of a job you will have when you graduate, or whether it will require a move or frequent travel- nor do you know the hours.

5. 2 birds double the cost---what will you do if there is emergency veterinary help needed etc? Plus, you are looking at the cost of a totally new (and larger cage- wide cages are much more important than tall ones). Plus yearly vet visits for both and testing for diseases because you have to do that when you add a second (they can carry illness without symptoms that will kill another bird).

6. Having birds with roommates is very risky (and you may end up with some in the future when you leave the dorms)--same with having birds in apartments (due to all of the issues with noise, respiratory sensitivities etc etc). Teflon/PTFE/PFOA/PFC fumes can travel between floors and through closed doors. What if they paint the halls or spray for bugs? What about a vaping neighbor? All of this can literally kill your birds.

7. If you birds DO get along, they may bond together and make you the 3rd wheel, which would lead to increased behavioral problems for both (things that one may not do on his/her own)...and it could also harm your bond with your current bird. You could end up with hormonal issues (aside from behaviors) like egg-binding (yes- female birds can lay infertile eggs without a male simply because they feel hormonal-- and that poses risks for their health).

8. If your 1st bird was a baby- it may not even be sexually mature yet, and behavior changes a lot at sexual maturity....a 2nd bird will also show changes at sexual maturity.

PLEASE, wait until you graduate and are settled (and 500%, out of the dorms)
it wouldn't be fair to the birds-You cannot provide for the needs of 2 birds in a dorm..PERIOD...or even on a college schedule where housing is more flexible.
I am sorry, I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but quarantining would be impossible, and your bird's cages would have to be inhumanely small....Also- the cleaning products they use in dorms are NOT safe for birds--- nor are things like perfumes, candles or PTFE/PFOA/PFCs/Teflon--- and Teflon is in things like pots/pans/air poppers/ curling irons etc--- you cannot control what the people around you do, which is harmful to the birds..

There is no way you can know what your life will look like between now and 25 years from now--- so how could you commit to another bird whose lifespan could be that long?
I know that no one can really predict life in that way, but at least when you have a career, steady job, house and income, you can be a better judge of the future.
One is not the same as 2 birds-- and in your current state, you could end up having to get rid of both if behavioral or health issues reared their heads---and that is a major risk.

Thank you for the in-depth response! I guess the possibility of the bird being unhappy was my first concern and not the money, I felt like there is a reason why people I know don't have multiple pets. Again thank you for the reply, I asked the question for an answer and I appreciate it even more how honest and candid you were.

I know it sucks--- having been there within the past- but just give it time and use the time you have to really work with the bird you have.
Birds get so attached and they are super tricky when compared to other animals (and quite sensitive, both physically and emotionally).
They really are a MASSIVE commitment and I am glad you reached out- I hope I didn't come off as snarky-- it's just a topic near and dear to my heart and I applaud you for considering before purchasing.