should i get a cockatiel?

Hudson_Novak

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i want to buy a cockatiel but I'm at school from 8am to 3pm is that enough time for a cockatiel? i could also consider getting 2 if that would help it out, I've done a lot of research prior buy i don't want to make the bird mad or sad. any suggestions on if i should buy one or not? i currently have a chameleon, thank you!
 

Anansi

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smbrds

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Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to be for advice and overall helpful forum with lots of knowledgeable and great members.

Anansi wrote an excellent post about students and birds. Take a look!

Those hours would also leave after-hours for homework, projects, etc. It would need to be kept busy with plenty to do with lots of toys and a big enough cage to move around and stretch its wings. But while it can have a lot toys and maybe take naps while you're gone, they're still very sociable birds and need companionship. This is where getting two comes in. Tiels are still big responsibilities and not to mention also produce dust which if any in the home have allergies to dust/dander would need a second thought or a good quality HEPA air filter. They produce dust and can get on furniture as well. The second bird may provide equal company, but multiply that by 2 and other expenses that come with having another bird. There's also no guarantee of two birds getting along, problems arising, etc. Also what about college plans and other life changes that occur during and up to that time?
 

Carl_Power

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Its very mature being at school and still knowing that birds need your time, good on you. When i was young i wanted some Tiels too. Luckily for me my parents , especially my mum at home took care of them in the day time. They lived downstairs in a big cage together which looking back now helped and although i spent time with them and played with them i really didnt know much about much or the care it took. I was just lucky as my parents were so hands on. At a young age they became more my parents pets as i wanted to be out with my friends after school all the time.

Talk to your parents and see if they want a bird too id say. It could work as a family pet if someone is home in the day to care for him/her otherwise it might not work if you want the best of both worlds. I think they live to around 15, mine were 15 and 16 when they passed. Alot of years especially if your going away to college ect and wont be at home x
 

Anansi

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Cockatiels have even been known to live into their 30's.
 

reeb

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Hi!

I'm a university student with 3 parrots so hopefully I can provide some insight. I'll copy paste some of what I posted in a similar thread some time ago:

There are pros and cons to every situation, but I will list some of my experiences, and then some of my opinions on the topic.

when you have a parrot, your whole life revolves around him or her. It is very difficult to balance time with a parrot at school, because your schedule is most likely very rigid. As a student, this is still challenging, because not only do you have your studies to focus on, but also your social life to consider. I have adjusted my schedule for my birds. I do 50% of my lectures online (I go to a uni where they are all recorded) and therefore I spend at least half my day at home, usually more because of the structure of my schedule. During that time I do my work with my birds out of the cage, and I also give them cuddles and play games when I take breaks. My friends all spend all day at university, and so I don’t see them as much as I could because I spend a lot of time at home. My birds are my priority, but I still take my studies seriously and have been lucky to adjust my schedule to suit my birds. I also spend most weekends with them, and only really have the opportunity to socialise at night. Even then, I have to be up early, so I have to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I am also lucky that I live in a flat on my parent’s property, because my mom loves my birds and spends time with them when I’m out.

the cost of owning parrots is quite significant. I have to set aside a certain amount of money every month to pay for cost of my birds - food, toys, cages, vet etc - it can get very costly, and again it’s something you really need to consider. As well as this, there is a lot of responsibility involved. Parrots are very messy, and you have to make time every day to clean up. Again, something that takes up time.

It is also very risky of me, or any other student, to bring long-living pets into our lives. We don’t know where we’ll be in 10 or 20 or 30 years time. Keep in mind that cockatiels can live up to 20 years, even longer, as Anansi mentioned. I am 21, and my budgies have a lifespan that less than my cockatiel. They will live for 8 to 10 years, but my cockatiel will live 15-20+ years. I spent 4 months deliberating on whether I wanted to bring Berry, my cockatiel, into my life, because she will most likely still be alive when I am in my late 30s. This may seem very irresponsible of me, but it is a risk I am willing to take. What I’m getting at is that you need to make sure that you are TRULY prepared for this massive responsibility over 20 years if you are getting a parrot like a cockatiel.

There are many success stories of those with birds as young adults moving into mid-late adulthood. The unfortunate thing is that this doesn’t always happen, and you have to be absolutely sure about your decision.

I would continue researching. Look into birds that require less attention than cockatiels, like budgies or lovebirds, but always keep in mind that ALL parrots need A LOT of attention, even the aforementioned species - especially when kept alone. Parrots are incredibly social and intelligent creatures, and you are their whole world, their flock - and you have to be present in their daily life, otherwise they will get very depressed and live very unhappily.

Good luck with your choice! As someone with a lot of experience with this, feel free to ask any more questions.
 

smbrds

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Lifespan is for sure a big factor in even cockatiels. When I was at a private school there were a few different animals and birds. I was around the birds. So I got Baby in 2003 and at the time, and even now, some sources (books, articles) mentioned living up to 15. But birds (and people for that matter) are living longer due to advances in medicine and technology.

Lots of birds are thriving in their 20s. Baby is now a senior as he is at the point of being half his life expectancy.

Consider, again, college plans and life during and up to that point and even after. They will be a part of each milestone and decision. We call them Feathered Kids for obvious reasons and endearment.
 

eagle18

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A friend of mine got a parakeet when she was 18 and took him to college with her. He went everywhere with her and had a wonderful life. Tiels are not so needy, and I believe would fit into a students life.

I had two tiels who were very independent. Sure they like to be around people but they don't demand constant attention, not like a cockatoo.
 
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smbrds

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Budgies and tiels would be good choices. A tiel's neediness depends on the bird, in general they're very sociable and want to be with their people/flock and have a contact call, but happy just to be by their person as well.

Baby is independent as well. Cockatoos can be independent. Since both are in the same family, I'd wager to believe that tiels can be demanding, cuddly, just not as demanding as their bigger cousins, but more than some birds in their category.
 
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FlyBirdiesFly

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I would say that tiels are more needy than budgies. Budgies are pretty easygoing birds who are fine with just a large cage and time to fly around the room, and they don’t demand one-on-one attention. Tiels do require a lot of time spent with their parront, but that can mean just hanging out on your shoulder while you go about with your day. Tiels are also much more cuddly than budgies, as many tiels ask for skritches by “bowing” their heads down, while most budgies don’t like to be touched very much.
 

MonicaMc

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I've had my cockatiel since I was in middle school and she's turning 17 this year! She doesn't look any different than the day she came home! Still bright, curious and pesky! Just not quite as pesky as compared to when she was younger! ;)

Having birds has certainly influenced my life. I don't like going anywhere unless I know they'll be cared for. I've turned down offers to move in with friends because they don't know what it's like to live with birds and I did not want to put anyone in a bad situation. I've also had to walk away from one relationship due to choices made by my S.O. at the time. My animals and I are a package deal! Don't like them? Or not willing to make a situation work with all of us? Then I don't need them!


I had some other cockatiels, ages unkown, but I believe they were late teens or into their twenties, at least, when they passed.

So even for a small bird, it's a long time commitment.
 

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