Thinking about getting a cockatiel

lbutler2852

New member
Jul 8, 2014
3
0
Hello, I am new to this forum but I thought this would be a good place to get some guidance/tips/opinions/info on becoming a bird owner. I am 23 years old, have just graduated college, and just got a teaching job near where I grew up. I will be living with my parents for the time being (until I can save up some money to get my own place) and will be getting married within the next few years. When school starts my hours will be 8 to 3 and I generally stay at home whenever I can (I'm not much of a socialite). I have really been considering getting a cockatiel as my personal pet. We have a small, calm, and well behaved dog in the house, but she really clings to my dad. I get kind of lonely as my girlfriend lives a few hours away and none of my college friends live anywhere near my home. I thought getting a pet would be helpful. Do you think my lifestyle would be conducive to having a pet cockatiel or another type of parrot? I have thought about alexandrines, but those are apparently hard to find around here. I have also considered adoption. Thoughts, suggestions?
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Welcome :). I think a little pet bird would be a great idea. As long as you research care, and learn particulars about birds, and everyone in the household is tolerant of the noise and mess that ANY bird can make.
If you get a young bird, teach it independent play from the beginning. That's always important for people who have a lifestyle where they work away from home. Some species of birds you'll find are naturally more independent than others. Just attend to your little friend and give him some quality time when you're at home, and you should be fine.

Plenty of threads to look through on this site to give you some good ideas what type of bird might be right for you. Lots of people to ask too. Good luck!
 

thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
If you have a local rescue and/or bird shop I'd go visit some birds to see what you might be interested in. If you find something go home and do some research.
 

Runnergirl

New member
Mar 30, 2014
43
Media
1
0
Chicagoland, IL
Parrots
Scurvy and Salty the cockatiels, Kiwi and Sprite the budgies, and Mojo the troublemaking Green Cheek.
Cockatiels and budgies are both wonderful pets. A cockatiel is considered a beginner pet since they a re fairly easy to train, pretty eager to tame (if not hand fed) and fairly forgiving and easy to bond with. Please keep in mind though, a few years from now when you settle down and start a family, your loving tielwill noticeably be upset when you have less time for it. Tiels can live to be in their 20s so if you are in a rush to move on from single life your tiel may suffer.
That being said, if you think you can commit the same amount of time once you get older and settle down, tiels are lovely, sweet, affectionate birds.
I love my tiels, and my life has been better since Scurvy became part of it. Good luck with your choice, and if you have questions, just ask!
 

GW.Joe

New member
Nov 26, 2013
1,159
0
Southeastern PA (15 miles west of Philly in a smal
Parrots
HI Fellow Parrot Lovers! Baby Green Wing Macaw, Loving Departed Yellow-naped Amazon "Poe"
If you have a local rescue and/or bird shop I'd go visit some birds to see what you might be interested in. If you find something go home and do some research.

Welcome to the forum!!

Going to look at birds is always a GREAT idea, We have a saying, the bird picks YOU :) And sometimes it really does (you will know)
Being that you are a "homebody" you should be fine, getting home at three is ok as long as you then spend the time with your bird
Its hard to really love a bird and not be around it all the time, (they depend on us for love) so I guess most of us here are homebodies LOL
Watch some YouTube video of the different types of parrots, decide the size and personality you like, All of us here can tell you about Our Birds!!
And Read as much on our Forum as you can

Joe
 
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Colorguarder08

Banned
Banned
Mar 8, 2010
604
0
Washington State
Parrots
Riley-white faced grey cockatiel (hatch date 6-28-2014) RIP Halloween-pied cockatiel
Research is always reccommended. Look up an avain vet. Parrots/cockatiels for dummies is also a good crash course in birds. I'm not saying your stupid or anything but it has a lot of good information in it. Also be aware that each bird is an indivsual and may not fit the typical characteristics described by most people. You also need to make sure your parents are going to be ok with a bird being loud at sunrise and sunset as that is when they are the loudest.
 

kalypso123

New member
Aug 16, 2014
281
Media
2
0
Tallahassee, Florida
Parrots
Cockatiel- Kalypso
My tiel is not loud at all except for the first few minutes after she goes back in her cage and she gets very excited when she eats. Cockatiels are awesome birds that are less messy than other large parrots. Kalypso loves everyone and loves to play on the keyboard. A cockatiel could recieve propper care with your schedule.
 

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