What age cockatiel should i buy

Due to their social nature, birds need other birds in order to survive longer or a healthy connection with their owner. Usually, a bird that is left alone will most likely develop mental problems.

They can be left alone for as long as you want, just so long they get along and have plenty of food and water. A bonded bird will be excited to see you. She may bob her head, entice you to notice her by jingling toys, call to you, or offer to come to you.

More subtle excitement is evidenced by a little feather shake and increased alertness and interest. Some birds may also scold you for leaving by yelling or banging toys. Driven mad by boredom and loneliness, caged birds often become aggressive, neurotic, and self-destructive.

Prepare for the cost of owning a cockatiel. Purchase a cage and equipment for your cockatiel. Cockatiels need a lot of room to exercise, so you want the biggest cage you can accommodate. The minimum recommended cage size for a single cockatiel is 24" x 24" x 24". The cage should have at least 3 perches for the cockatiel to choose from.

Look into adopting a bird from a shelter or rescue organization. Friendly, lovable cockatiels are often given up to rescue organizations because their first owners bought them on a whim without realizing how much work a cockatiel is.

The joy of taking care of a cockatiel will be magnified if you know that you did the bird a favor by saving her life. Rescue organizations for cockatiels and other birds can be found worldwide!

Find a trustworthy pet store or bird breeder. Ask other cockatiel owners or your local avian veterinarian for tips on reputable sellers. Your local bird club is another good resource. Make sure the seller offers a health guarantee for any pets they sell, and remember that birds that are hand-raised will generally be more friendly and sociable than aviary cockatiels that are bred and raised for display.

If the seller can't readily answer these questions, you should consider another shop. Part 2. Think about what you want from your cockatiel before you shop. If you want a beautiful display bird and are less interested in companionship, choose your bird based primarily on appearance. If you are looking for a friendly companion bird, however, you will want to choose a bird based on its temperament and sociability more than how it looks.

When choosing a companion bird, look for a bird that seems curious and playful, makes noises, and is eager to be handled. Some shy cockatiels can eventually be made more tame, but some never get used to people. Look for signs that the cockatiel is healthy.

Healthy birds have bright, clear eyes. They should have no discharge from their beaks, and no sneezing. Make sure the bird has a smooth beak that closes evenly, and no missing feathers or toes. These are all signs of illness. Ask about the age of the bird. It is ideal to choose a young bird that is fully weaned, and has been hand fed and hand raised.

When considering an adult bird, note that the darker the bird's beak, the older it probably is. Determining the sex of a cockatiel can be a tricky business, and in some cases requires DNA analysis to know for sure. Fortunately, both male and female cockatiels make wonderful pets. Part 3. Search Search for: Search. Table of Contents. Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment. Login with:. Log In With social network: Login with:. Forgot password? Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

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A bird that is getting up there in years may nap more often, especially when molting or during the winter. Once again, this can also be an indicator of poor health, so rule this out before attributing lower energy levels solely to age. An elderly bird also may choose to move around less and be reluctant to fly.

Be aware, however, that younger adult birds with weight issues or on a poor diet may also be perch potatoes! Make sure your bird is healthy and on a great diet no matter her age. With proper nutrition and care, a cockatiel should slow down very little throughout her lifetime.

Bird species differ both in their rate of maturity and their lifespan. They also tend to show few signs of age until the final few years of their lives. Cockatiels speed through the life stages that would be considered childhood and teenage years for a human.

They are equal to infants in their needs for up to about five weeks. Once they fledge at six weeks, they are similar to human toddlers in their development.

From about four to eight months, a cockatiel could be compared to a six to year-old child. They are curious, adventurous, and learning much by playing through this time.

At this point, they can be moody, independent, and unpredictable. If they are around other birds, they may begin to show an interest in the opposite sex and develop low-key rivalries with other members of the flock. If there are no other birds around, a sexually maturing tiel may show special attention to one of his human companions or even a mirror or toy.

A cockatiel is a mature adult by the time she is a year old. She will be full of energy and interested in mating, nesting, and raising a family.