Howdy y’all.

RealAndy219

New member
Feb 11, 2018
1
0
NW Indiana
Parrots
Cockatiel
Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum, for some reason I never thought about there being a forum for parrot caretakers. I’ve lurked around a while and decided to finally pull the trigger here as this seems to be one of the more “friendly” forums.

I’ve been a admirer and caretaker, I’m not a big fan of the word owner, since I was 7 years old. I’ve had two parakeets, my first was named sugar and my second was named Jonny. At 16, I was birdless, until my cousin went to boot camp and he let me take care of his Quacker Parrot. I ended up caring for Samson for about a year and a half before my cousin was able to get Sampson back. Sampson was a handful, he was as ornery as they come. The first three months I was bit almost constantly, lol. After 3 months of almost constant work and attention Sampson made an almost complete change.

The rest of the 14 or 15 months, Sampson would send almost all of his free time out of the cage and on my shoulder or head lol. He danced every morning when I went towards his cage. It was amazing, and he would talk your ears off. After my cousin took him back, I was birdless once again for over a year.

A neighbor had a cockatiel who was about 7 years old and decided they didn’t want her anymore. They were just going to let her free. I took her and found they had her in a cage that looked like it was made for a canary. That same day I ran to the local pet shop, and found a nice stand alone cage that was probably more suited for a few cockatiels. She was a handful, and with work it took the better part of six months to get her tame enough to handle and play without worry, especially with small kids around. She passed away when I was 29, and 1 year later I found another Cockatiel that I named Chip.

Chip is something special. She took to me immediately. She spends most of her day flying around the house, on my shoulder, on my lap, teasing my Great Dane, etc. she doesn’t try to talk or imitate sounds and whistles. But her favorite game is scaring new people. If they get close to her, she’ll open her beak. Stand still for a few seconds, then runs towards their hand. As her beak hits/touches their hand, she makes a growling/hissing sound. Then backs away and looks at the person. If the person doesn’t react, she just goes about her business. If they do react, be it yank their hand away, jump, make a noise; chip will stretch her wings, stand tall, and her crest goes up then she dances and yells a little victory sound.

Anyway, sorry this post is so long. I’m on a mission to learn all I can about the bigger parrots and cockatoos, as I’ve always wanted one. Not sure when, but someday. I’ve read so much, I’ve heard so much, and I’ve seen so many, I’m just not sure what I think would fit with me better. I keep switching between a cockatoo and McCaw. Both have their own pros and cons. Plus I have to take into consideration Chip, and how she’ll feel about a newcomer.

If you read all that, thanks for being a trooper. I’ll try to make future posts a bit shorter.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome, and thanks for a thorough and interesting introduction! So glad you saved the neighboring cockatiel; setting free is an awful method of "re-homing" a captive bird.

Chip sounds like a terrific companion, and has helped whet your curiosity for a larger parrot. Because of Chip's size differential from a cockatoo or macaw, their contact ought always be supervised for safety. While Chip may or may not be immediately accepting, he should always be kept a safe distance. The two species you specify are night-and-day different! I'd suggest reading from the cockatoo and macaw forums to help discern the differences. If you have access to a shelter/rescue or even pet shop, spending time will help you decide. A lot will depend on your desires and expectations!

I've had Great Danes literally for decades and have never had one act aggressively towards a bird. Hopefully you'll have similar experience, but do use caution!!
 

Jen5200

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2017
1,874
Media
23
Albums
2
249
Washington State
Parrots
Baby - Sun Conure;
Tango - GCC;
Bindi - Sun Conure;
Stanley - Pineapple GCC;
Screamer “Scree� - Cockatiel;
Tee - Pineapple GCC; Jimmy - Cockatiel
Welcome! Chip sounds like a smart little girl....love her game :). I love cockatiels and someday one will decide to come home with me. I hope you’ll share pics of Chip - she sounds like a blast.

I second the recommendation of helping out at a rescue or shelter to get a feel for what suits you better for your next addition. I volunteer at a rescue and have learned that I like interacting with larger parrots, but don’t feel they’re the right fit for me at home somehow. I’m glad you’re taking the time to figure out which one is the right fit for you.
 

smbrds

Well-known member
May 17, 2016
1,202
Media
1
59
Central Florida
Parrots
Normal (or not so!) Grey Cockatiel
Welcome to the forum and a nice introduction of a backstory. Glad you took in the cockatiel from those conditions and sad that she passed away. Chip sounds like a wonderful bird. Of course, tiels in general are but it's easy for me to say. ;) Totally understand the desire to have another companion and how things would be with Chip. In the meanwhile it would be good to visit pet stores, rescues and shelters to be around different birds to have that interaction. As was mentioned already, safety in mind when two birds living in the household especially when was in bigger. Though tiels are related to 'toos it's always good to exercise caution. And 'toos are on another level themselves! It is great that you have Chip and can develop a great relationship with her over time.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,643
10,007
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Welcome to Parrot Forums, the place where Parrot Loves Gather and Share!

Amazon Snob's, like me, use 'Owned by an Amazon.' As stated above: Parronts, is fairly common here.

Enjoy! Look forward to your Threads and Posts!
 

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
15,045
8,742
Cleveland area
Parrots
The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
Welcome! You sound like a wonderful, warm-hearted animal-lover, alright!
You're already getting great advice and support, I see.
Your post was really enjoyable!
I'm glad you're here.
 

Tami2

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2017
5,088
2,454
New Jersey
Parrots
Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
Hello & Welcome! Glad you decided to join us.

I'm sure you'll get all the advice you need & than some. :)
 

GhostN1K

New member
Feb 9, 2018
87
7
Dundalk, Md.
Parrots
GCC -(LO-LO)
English Budgie -Blue
Welcome! I hope you find all the info you need. I'm new and have learned so much thanks to everyone here.
 

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