My teenage son would like a cockatiel for Christmas. What differences can I expect between the two? Do cockatiels talk? whistle? sing? mimic? What do we look for when choosing one? Any advice is much appreciated!
~ SportsMom ~

Lisa

The males can talk, definitely whistle and also mimic. Just be aware that Cockatiels are more vocal than parakeets. Some can be on the quiet side, but when I was raising them I had a few that LOVED to whistle (loudly) the same sound over and over...........especially during breeding season. As far as females, I found them to be quieter than males (again unless it's breeding season!) and sweet, sweet birds.
If you're wanting a bird that has the potential to be a good talker watch the weaned babies carefully for the most active, vocal bird. Even then, there's no guarantee the bird will ever talk, but he'll be a good whistler. I've heard a lot of talking cockatiels and only a few that could talk clearly. Most have a gravely voice, so don't expect them to sound like an Amazon or Grey.

Both sexes are smart and entertaining. My favorite female lutino love to swing herself. I had a playpen on top of a large cage that had a swing about 2" off the floor. She would take the swing in her beak, back up as far as she could and then jump on the swing. She'd stay on it until it stopped swinging and then she'd do it all over again.

As a reminder: Once your son graduates from HS and possibly moves out of the house, are you willing to continue care of the bird? Cockatiels can easily live into their 20's.

I'm an elem. teacher and we did a rainforest unit earlier this fall. A friend brought her African to school for my first graders to see and ask questions about. He was an absolute HIT with my kids!!! He talked sooo much and pretended to cry (newborn sound) and just kept us entertained us all afternoon. Their African is 18 years old and when my friend first got him, their son (now 18 years old) was a newborn, so the bird learned that newborn cry way back then! I absolutely fell in love with him and we got the parakeet shortly there after. We are really looking forward to getting this cockatiel!

Dumb question: but I live in Montana where it is freezing right now! When we get it, will the short trip from buyer to car (of course I'll have car warmed up!) hurt it? Towel or blanket over the cage?

Also, we've never covered our parakeet's cage at night and he's always done fine, but should we be doing that? Is it more comfortable for them? Or is it only to make them be quiet or something? Ours always goes to sleep when all the light are off in the living room.

Thanks again for your help! ~ SportsMom ~

Lisa

I found using a cover and a night light to be helpful in preventing them being startled. Some birds are just more prone to it.

Enjoy..........they're great birds...........as are parakeets. Parakeets can also be great talkers!

You want a hand-fed baby. They have learned that humans are GOOD and coupled with an inquisitive personality they will be your "shadow".

Our's is fully flighted; we have 4 cats and a dog and to clip his wings would be setting him up for disaster. We allow him out in the morning and the evening, and "secure the pride". He swoops and dives, screaming, and landing anywhere he wants. He showers with us at least once/wk.; he LOVES the blow dryer. We always blow him dry and he chatters and whistles to it, spreads his wings, tucks his head and generally GROOVES with the steady hum and rush of warm air. He LOVES the shower!

Cautions: cockatiels are vocal; esp. first thing in the morning and at sunset. Our's doesn't talk, but he whistles off-key (like me), and mimics all sorts of things (picked up a car alarm in under 30 minutes... one of MY favorites, NOT). Like any hookbill, they like to chew... be aware of this if you let them out for any period of time; keep an eye on them, they do a real number on mouldings over doors, book bindings (the voice of experience). He had an absolute blast with a callous on my foot one morning... and keep an eye on your earrings, too. He once snatched a pearl stud out of my ear and flew to the top of the door with it. But there is nothing like the affection of a bird who preens your eyebrows tenderly and snuggles under your chin, making the contented grinding noise they make with their beaks.

We do cover our's at night. Annz is dead on, they do occasionally "flip out" at night, flapping and thrashing in their cage for no apparent reason. We simply flip on a light, speak soothingly, and he's fine. We will leave the light on after an episode.

Birds are SO cool. They're so intelligent and so affectionate IF you provide the steady predictable environment that brings it out. I adore Budgies, too. I miss having one of those little guys around... talk about a lot of personality in a little package. They're precious.

It's probably from a cut foot/toe, broken blood feather, or injury in the mouth.

Or........if you feed them red fruit of any kind, it could be from that.

Everyone has pretty much covered everything except: they can be a naturally nervous bird, very skittish at unknown noises & sights so you do need to be careful there.

Even when clipped, they can still fly to some degree & are experts at learning to fly within 1 week of being clipped. If you choose to clip, you'll need to keep it regular to keep his flying restricted.

Budgies & tiels often do get a along but as a rule need to be supervised together because budgies can be real meanies & have been known to attack & kill tiels.

Then we have 7 lovebirds- that guy that gave them to us was a liar liar- handtame my butt. They are all aggressive and they hurt when they bite. They have brought many blood wounds on me. He also said they were super quiet-yeah if you're deaf. These things don't shutup, ever. They don't go to sleep until at least midnite and they are up at the crack of dawn. But they are absolutely comical, they have great personalities, they're just not nice. I just let them be their funny little selves and they seem to be content as long as I don't have to touch them, sigh.

We may have to expand our bird family to incorporate a friendly featherbaby,*yay*

We love the birds but despise the fact they are so mean. I don't think I would mind the noise so much if they were nice :) (they're kind of like bad neighbors)
I think we are going to look into the tiels and maybe we can find one with a rescue or someone that needs to rehome.

BTW, I got a baby parakeet!!!! YAY! Her name is Strudel. She is white with very faint blue and yellow markings. She loves to be out of the cage, she tries to open the feeder doors and get out and she hates to go back in.

We are thinking of getting a cockatiel too- I talked to a lady that will have some ready in about 6 weeks- so I have until then to think about it.

Someone suggested to us that we try splitting our lovies and putting them in breeder cages, but I just don't have the time or knowledge to take that on right now. I just really want little feather friends to love on (lovebirds arent liking it so much, mutual feeling though :)