Soon-to-be Cockatiel parront...

mh434

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Oct 28, 2014
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BC, Canada
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Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
Looks like we'll be getting 'tiel shortly. Its owner is very elderly, and being moved into palliative care, so can no longer care for the 8-year-old bird. According to all reports, the bird is friendly & healthy, but I have no first-hand information as yet.

I'll keep you all posted. The 'tiel would be in addition to our existing 9-strong rescue-parrot flock...

Did I mention that I don't HAVE spare time anymore?!:D
 

Terry57

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Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
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Hawkhead(Darwin),YCA(Dexter),VE (Ekko),OWA(Slater),BHP(Talli),DYH(Calypso),RLA(Kimera),Alex(Xander)CBC(Phoe),IRN (Kodee,Luna,Stevie),WCP (Pisces),CAG(Justice)GCC (Jax), GSC2(Charley)
I'm so happy you are taking this sweetie in. Looking forward to pictures!
 

smbrds

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May 17, 2016
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Bless all your hearts, especially the elderly owner. It's great that you're taking in their tiel. They're great birds. Lots of info here. Post pics upon the arrival!
 
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mh434

mh434

New member
Oct 28, 2014
473
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BC, Canada
Parrots
Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
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Well, we got him (yes, he's an 8-year-old boy bird)! He's a feisty one, that's for sure! He apparently used to be hand-friendly, but that was a couple of years ago. What's wonderful is that his beak (unlike Lovebirds!) is too small to actually bite me, so I let him try (many times!) without success. He finally relented & stepped up. I think this is going to work out just fine!

Unfortunately, his wing (right side only) was clipped, so he looks a little lopsided. Sigh - guess we'll have to wait for the next molt to see him in his full glory.

Interestingly, as he looked a little grubby, we misted him with a fine spray, and he LOVED it! He finally got cranky...because we ran out of water & had to refill the bottle! As he was getting sprayed, he bent over & spread his wings so his back could get sprayed as well. He looks amazing, now (although he's still wet in the picture!). He's already getting comfortable, trying out new songs, etc. He is truly a happy bird!

What's hilarious is his name. He was originally named "Cheep-cheep", then "Twinkles". Oh well, he doesn't know it's a funny name!

Here's a pic:

GBvsGN2.jpg
 

MonicaMc

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Cockatiels can bite and draw blood if they really want to! That he's not actually biting I'd say is indeed a sign that he was probably hand raised and well loved at one point in his life!


My own cockatiel is 17 years old. IMO, she's ever truly only bitten once! And that one time, she drew blood! Otherwise, she doesn't bite! The reason she did was because she had got her wing stuck and the one to release her got bit in the process.



He looks like a lovely guy and sounds like he'll settle in well! :)
 
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mh434

mh434

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Oct 28, 2014
473
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BC, Canada
Parrots
Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
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He continues to do well! He does, vigorously, try to bite, but then again, we're used to Lovebirds (i.e., "feathered piranhas"), 'Zons, etc. His little beak just isn't big enough to get a purchase on my fingers!

He is blossoming, every day - his songs, whistles etc. are getting more varied, and he's getting more animated & adventurous all the time. My wife wasn't sure about him, at first...but now she's captivated!

Still not sure about his name "Twinkles" yet, though!

I'll be posting a couple more pics and a vid or two over the next day or two.
 
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mh434

mh434

New member
Oct 28, 2014
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BC, Canada
Parrots
Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
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Just an update - Twinkle is growing more confident & happy each day. He now steps up without complaint, and without biting (this is appreciated!). Between frequent misting & his starting to preen again, he looks amazing. He was a dusty, crusty, grimy little bird when we got him, but now he looks like a million bucks (AFTER taxes!). I just have to figure out how to get pics from my wife's cell phone camera onto my computer, so I can post 'em here.
 

itzjbean

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Jan 27, 2017
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Great to see he is adjusting so well! My tiel actually bathes the same way, spread s his wings and bows down so you can get his back and everywhere!

And yes, their bites are very manageable!!!
 

smbrds

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May 17, 2016
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They indeed can bite if they want to. Baby is usually gentle but can give a good pinch if he's irritable/molting. But he doesn't draw blood at all.



Sounds like he's adjusting well.
 
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mh434

mh434

New member
Oct 28, 2014
473
9
BC, Canada
Parrots
Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
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Well, it's been a few days now, and Twinkle Star (not my choice of name!) has really adjusted magnificently! No more biting, at all. He steps up nicely, given any opportunity at all, and does hands, arms, and shoulders, while tweeting and whistling away with glee. He's turning into a delightful, friendly little bird, and we couldn't be happier!

Here's a picture (it's a bit orange due to the lighting).



Let's try a little video, too...


[ame="https://youtu.be/P_1YYwzNLrc"]20180720 202516 - YouTube[/ame]
 

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mh434

mh434

New member
Oct 28, 2014
473
9
BC, Canada
Parrots
Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Interesting update on "Twinkle Star". Previously, while he would step up, he had to be asked.

A few weeks ago, we moved his cage from the "small bird room" (with the Lovies & budgie) out to the living room, where the "big" birds (YNA, CAG & 2 Conures) live.

As of a couple of days ago, he started clamoring to come out & visit, as soon as anyone goes near his cage!! This was very definitely a brand new activity. He literally scampers down to his cage door & paces back & forth and, as soon as you open his cage door, he races to step up & clamber up to your shoulder. Once there, he whistles and chatters away happily. If you sit quietly, he preens for a couple of minutes, then contentedly goes to sleep.

We suspect he's been watching the big birds getting their one-on-one attention, and finally decided that if they like it so much, then he wants some of that too.

This is a major (and happy!) watershed moment for us, and we're thrilled. His previous life was not the best, and his previous temporary (2 years) owners said he had lots of issues to contend with, including both health & behavioral troubles.

He looks wonderful now. He's just finished a really major molt (replaced probably 50% of his feathers over the past few weeks), and his plumage is glorious. Well, except for his somewhat threadbare crest - he still has some new feathers to come in there yet, so he looks a bit "spiky" on top.

We think it's a combination of his change of flock location and type, as well as his vastly-improved diet.

He really has become a delightful little bird.
 
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