I can't decide whether to get a cockatiel or a budgie (parakeet). I'm looking for an affectionate bird.

Question

I have heard that budgies/parakeets are extremely loud if you are not giving them constant attention. Many people have told me that cockatiels are the ideal bird for beginners due to the fact that, if properly trained and raised, they can be extremely smart and affectionate. Also, when it comes to birds, is it better to get a male or a female?

Answer 1

Budgies and cocketiels both make extremely loveing companion birds if raise with love and affection. budgies when kept alon and when handfed form a baby are actually renound talkers sometimes rivaling amazons and greys. cocketiels mostly males are excellent whistlers and some do learn to talk. both species are equally good if ur new to the bird world. might i also suggest lovebirds. i have one and i raised him a from a baby as wlel as handfed him from two feedings. he s very affectionate, his noise can be annoying at times but he only does it when he wants attention. good luck and if it were uup to me id go with the cocketiel or lovebird!

Answer 2

Cockatiels are more affectionate and very sweet.  Parakeets are very noisy if they don't have attention but cockatiels are low maintenance and very cute and sweet.  It doesn't really matter about male or female because they don't act differently.  Hope I helped!

Answer 3

If you want a real companion bird, a tiel is the way to go.  They are just the right size and very intelligent.  Birdbrain is NOT an insult!

I've had (or should I say she's had me) Sooshee bird for 5 years and she chose me when she was weaned.  I didn't know she was female for sure til she laid her first egg but her s*x made no difference to me.

A male will talk more.  Females usually just squawk or do the wolf whistle.  Either one can be very affectionate.  Sooshee loves to be scritched for hours on end but she lets me know if I don't hit the right spot.  

CockatielCastle on Yahoo groups is a great resource.

Good luck!

Babette

Answer 4

cockatiel cause there not as loud. the also are perfect begging birds, they can be taught to whistle and speak,and if u give them enough attention they will be both smart and affectionate. if u want a bird to be affectionate females are good but they may start egg binding (if this is not treated they can die)and can can become super agressive.if u get a male they will learn who to speak(because they vocalize more then the girls). so i would get a male. if u dont give enough attention they will scream and start to bite. last the cockatiel is more expensive but worth it. good luck  get a male  ;p

Answer 5

Ok I advise you to get a lovebird. I have had budgies that never showed effection, teils that were alright, but never in my 18years of existence have found sucha beautiful effectionate bird like a lovebird. i now breed them. they come in every color under the sun and love to love. My male who I raised never wants to be alone. Hes always on me kissing me all the time. when im sad he always comes on me and loves to rub his head on my cheak. I call him my baby boy. After I finnish my studies I love to be with my lovebird because he loves to play. Always is fun and chears me up.

Get a lovebird that has been handraised. They are little and cute and have the temperment of a parrot in a little body.

good luck.

Answer 6

Both species have their ups and downs, but most bird owners agree that either species is a good beginner bird. For one thing, budgies can learn to talk fairly well for their size after some effort, while so far I haven't heard so of a cockatiel, although they're adept whistlers and hummers. I also believe that cockatiels are less prone to aggression than budgies, despite their considerably larger size. But cockatiels shed a sort of feather dander that can cause allergic reactions in some people; budgies do too, but to a lesser extent. So consult with an allergist before getting either bird. Cost is also a big factor in mind when buying a pet bird, and in this case the budgie cleanly wins. But if you can spend a little more cash, I believe that cockatiels are sturdier and gentler pets. But whatever bird you get, research as much as you can about it, as without the proper research even the best pet bird will make a disastrous pet.

>> Note: I strongly recommend that you adopt a pet bird instead of buying one, as there are so many good abandoned birds out there in parrot shelters, and buying fresh birds worsens the situation for these poor creatures and their future generations. And with an adopted bird you'll also know about the bird's personality, and the cost will be far less, so it could also be better for you. Visit http://www.avianwelfare.org to find the nearest parrot shelter. These guys are dedicated to rehabbing and rehoming abandoned, neglected or abused birds, and have better birds than most pet stores IMO.

Answer 7

This small Australian parakeet loves to chatter the day away to whoever will listen – even its mirror or a plastic toy. Indisputably one of the top pet birds in the United States, the budgie is a playful, affectionate and amusing companion. “Fabulous bird, totally underrated; one of the best of the companion species; less prone to “psychological problems” than larger species, GREAT talkers.”

Answer 8

parakeets are beautifull i got 2 of'em

a girl and boy

boy-blue, purple

girl-yellow, green, mixed with brown