Got our first parrot/cockatiel !

[Birdistheword_1]

Hi folks. Never thought I’d own a parrot! But here we are!

Got her a few days ago. She’s about 13 weeks old and I’m told it’s a she. Some say it’s too early to tell...

Doesn’t matter as my daughter named her or him Luna and the friendship bonding has begun. At least on our end lol.

She seems to have come out of her shell as she’s playing a round a little. Singing along with the iPad and eating her lafebers mixed food and her spray millet. I also just saw her nibbling on the huge cuddlebone I have in her cage. She’s got a few different sized wood perches and a rope perch. Some toys and a coukd bells. She like the red wreath with bells on it lol. Seems to be her fav.

Anyways, she hates me and everyone that goes near her. I just keep talking to her as I walk by. I go about my business and she’s just watching me. She was in a quiet corner for a couple days and today I moved her more into the action.

I’ve read it can take quite some time to have a cockatiel adjust. I just don’t know how much is too much space to give.


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[munami]

Hey Birdistheword! Sounds like you're making progress. Each bird is different ofc but the important part is that you're taking it at her pace. They could differ from how they were raised or their personality. It sounds like you're taking it at a good pace but just remember depending on the bird, it could takes months. These little guys have been known to live upwards of 40 yrs (although that's on the extreme end) so a few days is nothing for them. Of course, you can always start training which is a great bonding exercise. Target/touch training is what I always recommend first because it lays a foundation for more tricks including step up, spin, or recall.

Are you sure Luna is a she btw? I have yet to meet a female cockatiel that actually sings. My Luna most chirps and screeches when she does vocalize.f6 It's not too important to know if you're already trying to prevent hormonal triggers but it can be for females since chronic egg laying can be a problem in cockatiels especially.

 

[Birdistheword_1]

She does like a quick two whistle and she does like an elongated chirp. Not quite a screech but as if someone going hey! Hey! Hey!

She always responds to the YouTube video. As soon as I turn it on she starts going to town. She also makes like a lower pitch purr/grunting noise. It’s so hard to describe whistles and noises of parrots lol. [emoji1787]

It’s all those cockatiel companion videos lol. Seems to work. I plan on switching between that and sod types of music to keep her entertained and occupied with noise. I mean, I can only assume a flock of these things in the Wild is loud and constantly communicating so I’m sure the background noise is soothing.

At night I drape a dark sheet over the cage with an opening in the front so she can get a night light from the stove light in the kitchen.

I usually hang out on man floor till about 10 so she’s only really alone till about 5:30 when I wake up and make my coffee. I’ve been leaving the cover on her cage till about 7:30-8:00. I’m sure she’s a awake when I’m making my coffee and opening blinds etc but I keep it quiet.

Here’s her hang out spot

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[munami]

Ah okay! It's possible you have a male on your hands! Especially with the whistles. How old is Luna? It may be too early to tell but if it's after 9 mos, you should be able to visually sex the bird since she looks like a normal gray for the picture you've sent. Of course, I'm sure it's not impossible she's female, but it's impossible to tell before 9 mos without DNA sexing.

I will recommend one thing though. Birds generally need 12 hrs of uninterrupted sleep with potentially a night light. It helps prevent hormones from going wild. In the wild, cockatiels are opportunistic breeders, which means if the conditions are right, they will always breed. It can make for a very cranky sexually frustrated bird especially at sexual maturity. Movement especially can trigger fear response, which can send the bird into a night fright if the room is dark enough. The bird won't be getting restful sleep if you're hanging out doing your thing in the same room.

If possible, a smaller sleep cage in a dark room with a night light would be ideal. For a minimum of 10 hrs every night. If hormonal activity starts, I would roll it back to 12 hrs a night for at least a few weeks.