Cockatiel Or Budgie?

Question

I am not sure weather i should get a budgie or a cockatiel, this will be my first bird and i am nervous but i think i will be well up to the job off keeping him/her happy, i'v got a nice big family room its going to live in and i'v got the most playfull dog ever it loves birds and it lets my aunties bird sit on its head, i will change its water and food every day and clean its cage paper every 3 days and have a big clean out once every week, do you think i would be ready for a bird and if so which one to get and why?

Answer 1

well i have a cockatiel and i love him!  =]     But cockatiels require daily attention... if they've been hand fed since they were babies and like to be held.  Budgies//parakeets are more a bird to just look at and maybe are better for a "first time" bird.  But it's up to you... I personally would do A LOT of RESEARCH on both of them before you get either one.  They are a commitment and you need to take that into mind.  :]  

Well have fun and God Bless You!    =]

P.S. -  DON'T feed them chocolate, caffeine, avacado, onions, muchrooms, grit, sand, and meat.

Answer 2

A budgie for sure, they make wonderful first time birds. I just rescued a loose one that came to my feeder. Its been a month or 2 now but he is happy and sits on my finger.He loves to play and is very entertaining. Good luck

Answer 3

Like Debie with a V said: Budgie!

Answer 4

I think your perfectly ready for a bird! just try to keep to your promises.

Here are the different personality traits of a budgie and cockatiel.

Cockatiels  are extremely compatible. They are very playful and love sitting on your shoulder; whether it they are napping, preening, etc.

Also, Cockatiels personality-wise, they are very gentle, kind, and LOVE attention. More of a "play with" type of bird.

Parakeets are very shy, and timid. Yes, they can be trained to sit here and there, and perch on your finger but they are not very "interactive" You probably wouldn't be able to play with them much seeing how fragile and shy their personalities are.

Parakeets are very adorable, but more of a less "bonding" bird.

Also, Cockatiels live longer than parakeets so...yea.

I suggest a cockatiel because they are one of the most compatible birds you can ever find, and is a great choice for a first-time bird.

Answer 5

The best first bird is always a budgie. The reason for this is that if you can tame a budgie, you know you are ready for a cockatiel or other birds.

When I was 4-years-old, my mother brought home a baby budgie and ended up taming it for handling and it turned out to be the sweetest bird I have ever owned -- I've had many types of birds too.

With the budgie you will learn what you will and will not be able to handle with other birds. I don't recommend getting one from a pet store because they are rarely in good moods. Try to find a breeder first, the younger the bird the easier it is to train.

Cockatiels demand a bit more attention than budgies and that is another good reason to start off with a smaller, more independent bird. After I got my first budgie, we ended up getting a baby cockatiel that lived for a very long time, and even was befriended by the little budgie.

Answer 6

I think the Cockateil is the better bet, just try to find a hand feed baby so you and it can bond.  They are very sweet and loving.  Parakeets are great too, I've had both.  It's harder to find a hand feed parakeet.  One tip keep the seed in a seal tight container in the fridge, it'll stay fresher and keep bugs at bay.  Don't soak the wood perch's in water just wipe them down, and I don't recommend a toy that's a bird or mirror they tend to bond with those and can give you the cold shoulder:(  best of luck and enjoy they are a wonder pet.  Remember either one lives for many, many years.

Edit also for the cockateil it's best to feed a (spelling?) safflower diet mix, and NOT the sunflower.  No caffeine or chocolate, but fruits, veggies, cheese, chips, spaghetti they love.