Maybe a Cockatiel Too?

So on Craigslist, about maybe 15 miles from my workplace, this dude is trying to sell a cockatiel AND cage AND toys AND food/water trays for $65. He's a bit older but that's okay. I'm thinking, DAMN that's a great deal. So here are the photos of the bird right now on the listing:





Before I buy him (of course) I want to visit him and see if he's healthy, but does anything particularly pop out to any of your guys as worrisome? I think the cage might be too small or crowded (not really sure, can't quite tell) but I don't mind buying a new cage. But if there is something wrong with the bird then I probably won't buy him... the seller seems willing to wait 2 weeks though for me to see the bird (we can't see him just yet because conflicting schedules) so that seems like a good sign, but yeah. He definitely seems like a cutie pie.

The cage is both a tad small, and crowded, dragon, but it's a good buy by any standard if the bird's healthy. Is it tame? It would then be able to spend time outside its cage. You could always thin the toys out a little.

I think you're right about the cage, but there's about $30-35 worth of toys there.....don't know what 'tiels are going for in MI, but you'd spend about $125-$150 at least for what they're offering, here in GA.....

Good luck.....

Definitely needs a much larger cage but overall looks good. Hopefully he's healthy and even if he's not tame he still deserves a loving and forever home.

I think the cage is too small might be better as a travel cage. And the perches could use a little more variation in both size and materials and from what I can tell the feathers look a little rough BUT the cage looks clean the paper at the bottom has a few droppings but not too many was provably changed within the last couple days which is a good sign and the perches and toys also look really clean so those are all good signs. He probably could become tame if you want to put in the work but he may not. So keep that in mind.

I'm not sure yet if the bird is tame. My lovebird isn't really "tame" either but it's fairly easy to let him around the main living area and lead him back into his cage. I've heard that Cockatiels are more laid back than lovies so yeah. The bird apparently knows how to repeat its name too, so yeah. I'll see how tame he is when I get there for myself. Nothing beats a first person experience (and honestly, even if he's not tame that is a magnificent price).

I'll see when I get there how tame he is. I can always refuse to buy the guy if I think something is up.

KayJeanne518 said:

Definitely needs a much larger cage but overall looks good. Hopefully he's healthy and even if he's not tame he still deserves a loving and forever home.

Click to expand...

I agree he still needs a loving home.

I'd be cautious about having the lovebird and 'tiel outside their cages at the same time. My one and only peachface was a leg-biter, not a problem as he was my only bird- but he did try his tricks on friends' birds when I went visiting with Toto along for the ride. I don't have lovies in the flock for that reason, it's bad enough having a hormonal plumhead on the prowl (a period now thankfully past).

Now that I'm on my computer rather than my phone I'm not so sure that the bird is healthy so be cautious.

He just looks older to me but nothing really noticeable to me anyway that would suggest he could be unhealthy. I think if you do decide to take him, bring him to a vet to make sure and always be sure to quarantine him from any of your other birds for atleast a month to make sure neither one if them catch any sort of illness that they may have.

Hello Dragon, very cute cockatiel! When you visit, it would be great if you could find out the age of the bird, it's helpful to be able to tell the vet. You'll know more after a talk with the owner and after you meet the bird. He/she may insist on going home with you. Cockatiels are great little birds.

I agree, the cage is too small, but like you said, you can get a bigger one. My cockatiel is in a flight cage and she uses all the space to climb and play.

In Chicago area this is a normal price for an adult bird… I'v seen them even free on CL. You live not too far from here. I wouldn't go for an older bird if he is not tame. I just got one (well, rescued - he was in really bad conditions and I felt very sorry for him) 2 yo male tiel for $45 (no cage). Oh boy, he is a difficult guy! He is not tame at all, hates my hands, was never let out of his cage before, etc, etc… He is MUCH, MUCH better now, a month later, but there is still a lot of work ahead. Thanks God my other birds liked him right away.
And I've seen beautiful hand-fed babies for only $40-45 each on CL several times already! I feel like an idiot. Not that I regret taking him, but for a lower price I wold have a good tame baby! So if you want a tiel, why wouldn't you get a baby and buy a cage in Petco or CL? Just saying… I would think twice before getting him. And of you have to get a bigger cage anyway, what's the point?

Veimar has a vaild point an older untamed male will be a lot more work that you may or may not be ready for just keep that in mind.

Yeah, that's a good point Veimar. I got my lovie at 2 yrs old and he still isn't very "tame" but manageable. Having another bird that isn't tame might just be a complete mess. That's not a bad idea though, to find a little baby. At that price though, it's very tempting, but the cage has me a little iffy, especially since it's an older bird. The bird is about 4 years old according to the description.