New here :)

I've never owned a bird before and live with my family.
My mom has fallen in love with cockatiels after I mentioned wanting one during college/further education. She has confirmed that we'll get one after getting some construction work done as she doesn't want to bring one into a dusty, loud home with drills and such.

Welcome to the forum glad to have a future cockatiel owner here!! They are such clowns neat birds! Lots to learn as a new owner!!! Check threads and check back often , you will get a warm welcome as more people see your post!

Hello and welcome! So glad you are considering research etc before buying!!! I feel like I always need to mention 2 major issues (see below):


Please read the following link (written by a real member of the forum very recently):
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/77950-devastating-post-must-read-now-teflon.html

pfte/pfoa/fluoro-plastics/Teflon = Hidden in many things in and outside of the kitchen--they are in many microwave popcorn bags (clear-coat), microwave dinner trays, drip-trays, hair dryers, curling irons, curlers, ironing board covers/ironing boards, non-sticks pans/cookie-sheets/cake pans,irons, humidifiers, vaporizers, space-heaters, straighteners, air poppers, rice-cookers, air fryers, turkey roasters...anything that heats up in any way often contains inner components coated in teflon...These are deadly when heated...It can be clear, mixed with another metal, applied as a black coating or embedded in fabric...many weatherproof mascaras even contain teflon---it is not easy to know where it will be, so if something heats up (including your household oven) be sure. You will have to call the company and give the all abbreviations and full names (not just ptfe, but ptfe +polytetrafluoro blah blah blah).

Also, when you get a bird, you will not be able to use any standard cleaners. Nothing with a scent for the most part (NO bleach, lysol, soft-scrub, fabreeze, pine-sol, scrubbing bubbles, windex, ammonia, rubbing alcohol etc etc, acetone, nail polish, nail polish remover, paint, sharpies, SCENTED OR UNSCENTED CANDLES (natural or not(, essential oils, diffusers, spray on deodorant or other aerosols, carpet cleaners, flea baths, chlorine, bug spray, sunscreen, lotions etc...

Birds have VERY sensitive respiratory systems..This is NOT an exaggeration. Your cleaners will be limited to : white vinegar +water (NOT BOILED---birds have died from vinegar in coffee pots), Grapefruit seed extract +water, and other avian safe cleaners. I recommend the yellow version of f10 SC as it is veterinary grade disinfectant which can be used around birds and does not have to be rinsed if diluted properly and allowed to dry).

Welcome and be welcomed

Welcome, great idea to wait until construction has been completed. Cockatiels are an excellent choice for initial bird!

Welcome!! We got our hand-raised cockatiel, Yoshi, 3 weeks ago and he is really cute and full of personality!

I agree with noodles123 that you should do all the research before getting one, as birds really do have sensitive respiratory systems. There are numerous horror stories out there where people's beloved birds have died due to accidental Teflon use (I'm so grateful that hasn't happened to us so far). We got rid of Teflon in the house and now use ceramic coated pots/pans instead, which are supposedly safer.

I've also heard cockatiels are suspicious of strangers, and they do take time (as with any other bird) to get used to a new owner (Yoshi is still getting used to us, too). If you can't adopt, it's better to get a hand-raised bird in my opinion, since we don't usually have the time to frequently and constantly tame one everyday. Our lovebird is also hand-raised, and she is the sweetest bird, at least to me since my other family members didn't socialize with her very much. Hand-raised birds in general are typically friendlier and less afraid of humans.

That's great that you're getting a new bird soon; have fun and good luck! :heart:

Hi and welcome,

I adore both your attitude and your mums:
read up and prepare before you buy.
(I wish everyone would do just that!)

There are not that many babies/ youngsters available now, but in the springtime you'll be able to see dozens of them and get chosen by the bird (yup, they choose you not the other way around .. do not worry about it, when it happens- you wil know!)

Try to find a breeder, not a shop- it's more relaxed that way, and shopkept birds are usually rather stressed and you will not be able to assess their personality that easy.

Welcome to you!

Welcome!!
Cockatiels are amazing, funny and “easy” to take care of! You will love it as a first bird.


Jose

Hello, and welcome!

I like you're style. You fit right in already! See?

Great advice above. When the big moment arrives, we hope to share it.