New member

Hi, I’m a new member who rescued a neglected cockatiel that was a year old. She was never handled or fed anything other than bird seed. It’s been a learn as you go kind of thing with her as she is the first bird I have ever owned.

I love all types of animals, but have a strong affection and attraction to exotic animals.

I may not know a whole lot about birds, but apparently am doing an okay job with the help of my vet and a friend who had owned birds. My cockatiel, Princess, now has better food, eats broccoli, has a larger cage, good toys, plenty of love and is getting better at being handled and worked with. She was essentially a wild bird when I got her. I still need advice from time to time. This is the reason why I’m joining this forum. I really want to know as much as possible.

Thanks for letting me join!

Hi Welcome

I am more or less in the same boat as you. I had budgies in my childhood and then did not procure any avian pets for quite some time.
My love for animals continued but aquarium fish, particularly Angel fish, Bettas and Cardinal tetras became my premier choice as pets.

Then one of my neighbours found this mildly injured cockatiel (probably female) lying close to the parking lot and alerted me and my second innings in bird keeping has begun. My bird is not tame either, but is becoming more friendly by the day.

Welcome to you!

Welcome.
And thank you for rescuing a needy little soul. I know it will enrich your life and times!
You'll find lots of good fellowship and information here.

Welcome and be welcomed. Thank you for rescuing this little one. All parrots ( and your cockatiel is indeed a parrot) lice by a basic rule - trust building, If they trust you, your relationship will grow. So you have to make sure that all your interactions with her will build trust, not destroy it. Before your so things with he, think - is this going to make her trust me more? She is accepting that she is a member of a new flock - where is her position in ths new flock? so no letting flying around the house only to be chased and toweled to get get back in - chasing and toweling are trust busters.

A Vet exam is next ( and son) to stanblish a base line on her and todetermine if she has any issues. At that point I would have her wings clipped so that out of cage activities dont result in the above mentioned chasing and toweling. First thing to teach is step up. Any teaching nd trick learning is best done by BRIBERY ! Yes, parrots are ruled by their bellies. Figure out what this little one loves best, likely sunflowerseed or pine nuts ( shelled ones). My parrot Salty LOVES those and would build me a Volkswagen for one. That becomes your training treat. Now you can use that as the reward when training. Parrot training requires patience, and total consistency. SO dont ask for her to step up one way today and a differet way tomorrow if that didnt work. Take little steps leading to the desired end result. so maybe eating from your hand ( using the treat) is the first step, then having to step one your finger to get to the treat is the second step, and the third is to have her step up and then give the reward . Every parrot is different and learns in its own way, but generally will follow this kind of growth. SOme birds get it in one lesson, some take weeks for each phase.

Thansl again for taking her in. Cockatiels are all parrot.

Welcome, come on in.

I want to also say thank you for helping your little friend. I am sure your love will be repaid many times over.

Welcome to the wonderful world of avian companionship! You certainly rescued a life, one that will repay your love many times over.

We're always here to help with any issues you have or may discover.

So glad you’re here! This is the best place to learn about out babies and also he best place to share how ridiculously in love with them we are-nobody will think you’re strange for that! We also LOVE to see pictures.


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I completely forgot to post a picture of her. This is her when she was getting tamer. She seemed to pose for the camera in in one of the pictures of her that I absolutely love! I posted a link to the photo. I also sent a link of her playing with one of her favorite toys.

She’s sooooo cute!!!!


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Thank you, Inger!

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She's a beauty, thanks for posting the pics!!

Thanks for the rescue, and have a great time with your Princess!