How Bad is 'Tiel Dust Really?

So the title isn't quite adequate for this post...

I came on here saying I was getting a budgie, but I still haven't totally ruled out a cockatiel! I love their voices, how they can turn a song into a whistled tune, they dance, they're bigger(yes that is a plus IMO), they're cuddlier, as far as I have heard, and there are actually harnesses for them. I have yet to see a budgie dance to music or sing, however cute they are. The problem may be in the feather dust...how bad is it really? And also is a 30"x18"x18" cage still big enough?

I may still get a budgie, but I want the full picture on cockatiels before I get my first bird. Feel free to tell me anything majorly different between these two bird species(if you have both and really see a big difference). Thank yooooou!

Yep, kinda curious about the dust myself. Not that it matters since I already bought my baby tiel but is it really that bad? I was planning on daily baths for him, which supposedly helps.

I went tiel instead of budgie for many of the reasons you listed, including being larger. Also from one of my visits to the bird shop I watched a couple budgies for a few minutes and they just about wore me out, lol. They had some sort of shredded paper bedding in the floor of their little display window boxes and of all the birds, it was only the budgies that had trampled their bedding flat. They never stopped while I was watching them and I guess they never do!

The budgies sure can talk though - from what I've seen on youtube, I'd say they are the best by far except they can be pretty hard to understand. Check out Victor the Budgie for some awesome monologue! Unfortunately it's hard to tell what he's saying and you really need the subtitles. Disco is much easier to understand but says less. Still very impressive but they are no doubt exceptional birds. I wouldn't get one expecting similar abilities.

Nor do I expect my little tiel to do everything I see on youtube, but man their whole demeanor is just adorable to me. Never seen a budgie seem quite a happy as the tiels... Here's one good for a quick smile...
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMvj_-1Uvp4"]Cockatiel Spike sings tequila - YouTube[/ame]

Oh what the heck, here's another one....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9NZnpleU0s"]Cockatiel sings "If Your Happy & You Know it" and talks - YouTube[/ame]

A YouTube video I really like is one where this cockatiel whistles along to a piano...I don't know the song but it was still really awesome!

And talking isn't something I'm looking for in a small bird...I'd only want that if it was a larger bird that could use it in context. Budgies just ramble, which is fine, but I'm not dead set on a talking bird

I think all birds Ramble . It's rare you get one that will sit down and have a conversation with you or reply correct every time you want him to. Actually you are not guaranteed one will even talk.

Then again Big small or inbetween ........... they can all learn



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtP_zQXgwYQ"]Joey, the smartest talking Budgie EVER! - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itt0tqf6OYY"]GREATEST TALKING BUDGIE BIRD GRAYSON SUPERBIRD! - YouTube[/ame]

Christinenc2000 said:

I think all birds Ramble . It's rare you get one that will sit down and have a conversation with you or reply correct every time you want him to. Actually you are not guaranteed one will even talk.

Click to expand...

Haha! I know! But I mean some will say a certain word at the right time consistently. I suppose budgies could if you specifically taught them to, but...

Sorry if I derailed the thread slightly with the videos. And thanks Christine for giving equal time to the budgies =)
A couple other things I've noticed as difference that may make a difference in your choice would be the crest of course. That was actually a major factor for me. So expressive and cute. Also on the cuteness side of things - and I could be wrong about this... it seems that a cockatiel is more likely to hold a toy or piece of food with his foot, which I find adorable. Maybe the budgies do that too but I just haven't noticed it as much.


I am also really interested in the dust thing. Am I going to need beach towels around the cage and a couple of HEPA air cleaners to help keep up with the dust or what? Wouldn't expect much of a problem from one small bird not having been there it's hard to judge.

A couple other things I've noticed as difference that may make a difference in your choice would be the crest of course. That was actually a major factor for me. So expressive and cute. Also on the cuteness side of things - and I could be wrong about this... it seems that a cockatiel is more likely to hold a toy or piece of food with his foot, which I find adorable. Maybe the budgies do that too but I just haven't noticed it as much.


I read somewhere budgies did not do that, and I was wondering if cockatiels did...I also like when they do it. Thought it was a 'big parrot' thing though.

Yep, again with the vids!

equal time though...

Here's the closest I found for the budgie

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnHSeUQ4Y2o&nohtml5=False"]Budgie uses foot to hold treat still - YouTube[/ame]

And several like this for the tiels

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzq6k155trs&nohtml5=False"]Bunsen the Cockatiel - Using Her Foot To Eat An Almond! - YouTube[/ame]

I think one of each To be honest If I did not have a Mac I would get one of each

Christine, you need to get one of each anyway.

I have two budgies and a cockatiel. The budgies are adorable but I adopted them at the same time and they are never more than a few inches away from each other even outside their cage. I'm sure a single budgie would bond a little faster and training would be easier.

Cockatiels are pure fun, such comical, affectionate little clowns. My female doesn't talk but her personality more than makes up for it. They are dusty but frequent baths and a daily cleaning for the cage will reduce the dust from a cockatiel to almost nothing. If you happen to be allergic or super sensitive to the dust, it could be a problem. Air filters work wonders. My opinion may be skewed, I have U2 and a cockatiel, it could be the comparison. Seriously though, even the dust from a U2 is far easier to control than I was lead to believe.

To reiterate what Allee said, I can keep on top of the galah's dust without too much hassle, and I barely notice that of the 'tiel. That's with minor breathing difficulties in the house

Thank you, owners of dusty 'toos and 'tiels! Sounds like I'll be good as long as I provide regular baths...and maybe do more frequent vacuuming...

Does anyone know if a 30"x18"x18" cage is OK for a cockatiel though? It seems big enough to me.

25 x 17 x 30 is what Ethyl has now - it's the same as Henry's and they're brilliantly designed.

Online shopping at The Parrot Place , For the best prices on all pet supplies | The ParrotPlace - pet supplies, pet food online - fish food, dog food, cat & small animal pet supplies

Online shopping at The Parrot Place , For the best prices on all pet supplies | The ParrotPlace - pet supplies, pet food online - fish food, dog food, cat & small animal pet supplies
30 x 16 x 17.7 is what she was in, and she seemed happy with that. I just wanted matching cages for her and Henry That cage has since gone to a friend, who has two tiels in it. In our case though, Ethyl was out for at least an hour a day and down the road at a friends, her two are out if there's a human home, so it's a little situation dependent.

Christinenc2000 said:

I think one of each To be honest If I did not have a Mac I would get one of each

Click to expand...

I would too, but currently space and budget don't permit me to...

I have seven siblings so the house doesn't have much space in it left

The cage I plan on getting is only $50...hopefully that doesn't mean it's not made well! It's the same basic design though.

Also, I'm home schooled so that bird will have plenty of out time!

I'm obsessed with cockatiels, so please excuse my horribly obvious bias. But they are seriously the most wonderful birds!

It's sort of difficult to generalize the personality of a bird species. I mean we do it, but it doesn't offer a guarantee. Every bird is one of a kind, but the way you build the relationship with them from the get-go is going to vastly influence whether or not they will be able to do all of the fun stuff you see birds do on Youtube. My tiel was deathly afraid of people when I got him. Even now he's not keen on anyone but me, but I feel pride in knowing that I built this special bond with him. He's cuddly, he sings, he copies sounds that I make, and he is extremely forgiving. As far as budgies go, my boyfriend just got one recently, so now I do have experience in living with one. He's not a cuddler like my 'tiel, but he is far more entertaining to watch because of how hyperactive he is. He isn't afraid to jump down to the floor from his spot on the dresser and just run around and climb and explore everything! I think that any bird can be a true companion based on you and based on them. If you can only have one bird right now, and you plan to spend a lot of time with them, I recommend a cockatiel. If you prefer something that may not be as much of a snuggler but is super entertaining to watch, a budgie is a great idea. To be honest I think that when you are ready to choose, the bird will make the decision for you.

As far as tiel dust goes... the worst of it is when they decide to shake some down powder right into your face during a cuddle session. But keeping up with daily cleaning should be plenty. Changing the cage liners, vacuuming, dusting the surrounding areas, and definitely make sure the air in your room is circulated.

That cage size sounds fine if you plan on having lots of out of cage time. I think I read somewhere that 18" dimensions are the minimum you should go, since these birds need room to spread their wings. Don't worry about that price either, my cage was only like $40 but gets the job done. You should be good!

Still with the budgie/cockatiel debate. While I'm now not too concerned with the dust I've been thinking....when I move out and have money for it, I'm 90% sure I will be getting a macaw of some sort. Since I will most likely have my budgie or cockatiel at that point in time, I was wondering after hearing about macaws having allergies to the dust of tiels, toos , and african greys if I should worry about that. The articles I have read said B&Gs are the macaws most commonly seen with this allergy, and they're actually one of my favorites. I know there is only a chance this will happen, but I really don't want to risk it....should I worry?

Also, I was told that lutino cockatiels have more fragile feathers that will break easier and bleed, should I be concerned/is it really common?

Sorry for the long post but I have questions!

If you have asthma or any allergies I strongly discourage a tiel. I got one and had what I thought were minor problems only when on my shoulder during a molt. I got an air purifier about a year ago and thought I was fine.

I just spent the day at the ER with shortness of breath. I had to get IV steroids. The dr thinks I'm mildly irritated constantly so now when I react to other things in the environment it's worse.

I have asthma too and have noticed that the symptoms have gotten worse over the past ten years since adopting 4 tiels ... no more for me after this. I love them too much and think they are prescious and can not bring myself too rehome them too I put up with them and bath them often too put a stop too the dust. I did notice a worsening of symptoms when i did not bsth and spray them with water. I just found feather sprays which are expensive however if they work its worth it.



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