How to Choose a Cockatiel?

Question

My mother's Cockatiel recently passed away. It was 21 years old. She has mentioned several times to me that she would like another one, so I'm going to be taking her to Petland to pick one out. She really loves birds and is very exerpienced when it comes to Cockatiels. Her first bird was a Cockatoo. Her best friend's mother owned it when she was a child and they couldn't keep it. So, my mother and her mom (my grandmother) took it in. The bird lived to be 71 years old! Anyway, I need to know how to choose the best and healthiest bird. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

When you're looking for birds you need to just look at them.  You can often tell if they're healthy just by looking at them.  If that doesn't work then you can look at their behavior.  If they seem happy and fine then it's a healthy bird.  If it looks like it's kinda in pain or not good then you shouldn't get one like that.  Also if it's on the bottom of the cage or it's not eating and very skinny then you shouldn't get it.

I hope I helped!

Answer 2

I am a bird lover..I have two cockatiels..one which is 16! and a conure. First off..the ones at our pet stores "Petco" are not hand tamed enough to be good to work with. I get mine from a private breeder and they are way more tame. If you start out with one that is timid and mean, it will spark that fear in your mom which birds can sence and then it will just make bonding really hard. You need to find a sweet baby bird, that is tame and loving...has bright eyes and seems active and alert. Id honestly look in the paper for one before Id buy from the petstore...plus it would be alot cheaper! :) And WOW I can't believe how long the cockatoo lived. Those birds are such sweethearts, and really a life long commitment as you seen for yourself. Good luck!

Answer 3

Most cockatiels are not friendly to begin with. Sometimes people don't have time to socialize with them enough. So most likely your mom will have to do the training even though it'll freak out at first. I recommend getting a males because they are easier to train than females (so far from my experience). Their health is obvious if they are healthy or not.

Answer 4

dont go to a pet store for a cockatiel!

go to a breeder.

tiels from pet stores tend not to be the healthiest, or friendliest.  most cockatiels from pet stores arent hand fed, and can be very expensive.

all the stores i've been to had dirty green water for they're cockatiels.  (i dont know about the other birds..  i have eyes only for tiels!)

birds from breeders are better cared for.  breeders are experts in raising they're birds, and can answer any questions you have on how to care for them.

they are also way cheaper, and almost always handfed which makes them easier to train.

at the store near my house, i saw a normal grey tiel going for $150 and it wasnt handfed.

but i paid only $100 for BOTH of my lutino tiels at a breeders. both of them were handfed and verrrry friendly.

Answer 5

don't go to PETLAND to buy the bird get a bird from private

breeder. these birds are a lot better and happier.

                             I'M A BREEDER