1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Need Advice Pet Birds

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by Chase, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. Chase

    Chase New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2003
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Does anyone have a pet bird particularly a cockatiel? How long have you had it and how do your children do with the bird? My 12 yr. old wants one badly so I'm doing some research.

    Thanks!!
     
  2. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    436
    Likes Received:
    16
    Take him over to Featherheads on Davis Dr in Sterling. They have birds out free in the store and he can see if he really likes it.

    http://www.featherheads.com/
     
  3. mikebnllnb

    mikebnllnb Active Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    142
    Likes Received:
    26
    Bird are great pets but be prepared for the noise and the mess. Cockatiels are screamers particularly in the mornings. I would look at getting an African Grey parrot. They aren't as loud as most birds and super intelligent.
     
  4. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    A Cockatiel's average life span is 12-15 years and it's not uncommon for them to live to be age 20. The Loudoun County Shelter had a Cockatiel up for adoption the last time I looked.
    Another suggestion would be to talk to someone at a bird feed shop. The Bird Feeder, located in Reston could probably provide contacts of customers who have bird pets and they may be able to give you some solid advice.

    As mike mentioned, Cockatiels are screamers and all exotic birds require a great deal of care and a lot of interaction, as they are social creatures and African Grays have a lifespan of 50-70 years.

    Have you considered getting a smaller bird such as a parakeet or a zebra finch for starters? They require maintenance also, and will still provide interest and teach your 12 year son some responsibility.

    It's a committment not to be taken lightly, imo.
     
  5. BTrost

    BTrost New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2004
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'll second everything that's said here. I've been a life long bird owner since I was in my teens, but they are more intensive in terms of care and cleaning than any dog/cat, in my opinion. Birds also will typically 'bond' with a single person in the household -and it may not be the person who wants the bird. A cockatiel also gives off dust naturally through it's feathers, which makes many people have an allergic reaction as well. I've had my two birds (a cockatiel and a pionus) for 14 and 11 years, respectively - my kids are 9 and 6, and while the birds have realized that the little people are not leaving, they still feel like they are the alpha males of the group and may chase my kids since they know they'll scream and run away.... :)

    -B
     
  6. CToft

    CToft New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2010
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    We have 2 cockatiels and 2 parakeets. They are loud at times, but mostly because my husband talks to them in 'birdspeak'..and this gets them going. (He is the one they all have bonded with) We have a 3 kids and a dog, and the birds interact with all of us...will sit on our finger and peck at our noses (kisses) The dog doesn't get the same treatment, and likely he would eat them if he had the chance.

    My husband had one cockatiel for 18 years and it belonged to someone else for a while before him. "Bubblehead" passed away last year and we got Stanley to replace him, because our female was lonely for a mate. My husband has always felt that the birds need to be kept in pairs. They keep each other company, grooming each other and playing/eating together. If they don't have a mate they will bond with a human and possibly even learn to speak english. (my friend has a cockatiel that says a few phrases) Our birds have never learned english though.

    A 12 yr old could certainly care for a bird, but like all pets they are a big responsibility and do need attention.
     
  7. Chase

    Chase New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2003
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you for your responses! We did visit Featherheads and spent alot of time with a wonderful little cockatiel. We also handled a Conure, Quaker and Kacique (sp?). The cockatiel was the calmest. I am getting allergy tested before we do anything since I have some allergies including to cats. One more question - what do you do when you travel? We go on trips a few times a year for a week or more. Do the birds do ok with a petsitter?
     
  8. CToft

    CToft New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2010
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    we have our neighbor come over and give fresh water and food to the birds once a day when we go on vacations. We have also just added extra food and water to their cage if we leave for just the weekend.
     
  9. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    It's okay to leave them briefly if you have "more" than "one" bird. But if you get only one exotic then it is recommended that you leave the bird where he will have human stimulus, even if you are away for only two days.
     
  10. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    You may have found this site already - invaluable information from people with pet birds.

    http://www.cockateil.net/can-anyone-help-with-some-cockatiel-psychology
     
  11. shutterbug

    shutterbug New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2006
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have had several cockatiels since I was 10 and recently had to find a new home for them after we had a baby. We just simply couldn't keep up with the mess. They poop about every 15 minutes and create quite a lot of dust. When we weren't able to give them the attention they were used to, they screamed a lot and we felt it just wasn't fair to them so we had to let them go to a better home. When we were able to play with them, they were really loveable...cuddled under our chins, loved rides on our shoulders...They're really sweet animals, some bonded much better than others. We have found the gray cockatiels were easier to bond with...but that's not always the case.

    I'm actually posting because I wanted to share information about a wonderful organization that helped find a new home for our birds. It's called Phoenix Landing. They were able to find a good match for our birds and they do great work and were really supportive and helpful through the process. If you're interested in adopting a bird, their website is www.phoenixlanding.org.

    Also, if you're looking for an Avian vet nearby, we have used http://novapetshealthcenter.com/index.php (Dr. Masoud) since our cockatiels were babies and he has been able to help with any illness...even brought one to good health after Parrot Fever (psittacosis).

    Good luck!
     
  12. ExRIGuy

    ExRIGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2006
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Someone who can enjoy a pet bird is a rare bird -- quote by my dad. I bought a cockatiel despite his advice and learned to despise it. Loud, messy and mean. Soooo glad its gone now.
     

Share This Page