General checklist for First time owner?

Hi everyone!

For the past few months I have been thinking about owning my first pet bird. I have done tons of research and have decided that I am ready for the commitment and that I am ready to adopt a feathered friend! I have decided on getting a Cockatiel, I am planning on making a trip to get all the supplies sometime this week so that I can get a bird this weekend.
I know that you need to get toys, cage, food and things like that. But, I was wondering what a good general checklist would be?
What type of perch would a bird enjoy the most? What type of toys are generally more fun? What type of treats do you recommend?
Is there any random extra that I should definitely put on my shopping list?

Sorry if I sound like a paranoid newbie! I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget anything super important and that I am fully prepared to bring home my new friend. Thanks for your help!!

Hello and welcome!

Congrats on deciding for your new bird, bet you can't wait to get him!

For perches natural wood perches are definitely the best. Get a few different types, different widths are good too. Even try getting a rope perch.
When it comes to toys, your bird will usually have a type of toy it likes, each bird is different Get a couple of different types ie wooden, colorful plastic etc and see which he favours

Cockatiels generally enjoys any type of toys you give them, they like the toys with bells on it. Treats would be millet spray, anything good really....They're not super picky!

Thanks both of you for your help! I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and buy all the supplies. I should hopefully have a new bird by next week! Thanks again

Congrats on deciding to adopt a bird! Cockatiels are great for first time owners. It sounds like you have a pretty good grip on what you need (toys, food, cage, perches), but I do have a few suggestion on things you may not have thought about-

1. A small emergency/transport cage or carrier. For a teil, a cat carrier or canary-sized cage would work. You don't need to spend a lot of money on it, but if you ever have to evacuate for a natural disaster or need to transport your bird to the vet, you need a small, safe carrier.

2. A spray bottle specifically for giving baths (birds love baths!). The reason you should have a bird-specific one is so you never accidentally put a cleaning chemical or anything but water in it.

3. A newspaper or cage liners for easy cleaning.

4. A perch or play stand, so your bird has somewhere to stand while outside it's cage

5. A inexpensive, large rug to put the cage on. This will protect your floors from fruit and poop that's sure to make it's way outside the cage.

kwikstop just in case he bleeds from an injury...

I use plexiglas around the corner walls and floor that I place Hahnzels cage in to keep splatter from hitting the walls.

Kiwibird- Thanks so much! I hadn't thought about getting a couple of those things so, thanks for mentioning them!!

goalerjones- I completely forgot about getting kwikstop! Thanks for reminding me! That's also a good idea about the plexiglass, I'll have to think about that!