It’s started.. I’ve bought a cage, and maybe a bird!!!

Hello everyone!

Okay.. well today I bought a cage. And I’ve found a cockatiel that I’ve put on hold!!

I didn’t buy him straight away as I wanted to bring the cage home and check it all fits okay, plus it was getting late in the day (I live an hour out of town so couldn’t go straight back).
If you’ve read my other thread where I mentioned a budgie a fete days ago well today I decided not to Phone the other shop to ask if the budgie was still available as It didn’t feel right. I want my ‘first’ bird to be the right bird. And I’ve had my heart set on a cockatiel for a long time, Just been waiting for it to feel right and find the right one. The Cockatiel that I’ve seen today stood out to me, he was in an aviary (petshop) with some Ringnecks and princess parrots. He had no friends himself. He’s got the lovely orange checks that I love. Pet shop worker didn’t know anything about him, so I don’t know his age.. and we’re assuming he’s a boy as his cheeks and yellow are quite bright, would that be correct?
I’m assuming he won’t be handled, but I’m a great believer in that most birds, given time and patience should come around to be friendly. If I could make friends with a wild corella, I’d hope I could make friends with a domestic breed cockatiel?
I 100% want to get him a friend in the future, but not right away. Give him and me time to settle. And I’d find a rescue Cockatiel for my second one hopefully. As buying from pet shops go against my beliefs but it is what it is for this guy..

Well I haven’t bought him yet anyway.. But 99% sure I’ll be going back first thing in the morning to get him
I still have pellets left over from Sunny which I can use for him. But I’ve also bought some cockatiel seed as that’s what he’s use to for now.
I haven’t bought any toys yet as I’d like your opinions on what’s good and what’s not? I’ve bought a branch type perch as I understand the basic round ones in the cage aren’t good long term for their feet?

What do you think? Please give me all your cockatiel advice and info!
The cage I have bought is an A&E cage. 32inch length by 21inch width. I went for this one as it was better quality than the others.

IM SO EXCITED BUT ALSO NERVOUS!

Also please note. I will keep the blinds down during the day. And I haven’t moved the items away from the cage yet.

Congrats (almost). Where is the cage going to be situated in the home? In the middle of family life, like the living room, or tucked away in a workroom or garage?

wrench13 said:

Congrats (almost). Where is the cage going to be situated in the home? In the middle of family life, like the living room, or tucked away in a workroom or garage?

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Thanks Wrench!
We only have a tiny cottage, so the cage will be in our main room which is a kitchen/living room.

Wonderful news, Hannah! I'm am very excited for you.

IM SO EXCITED BUT ALSO NERVOUS!

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That is exactly how you should be feeling as it will keep you alert and aware of every little detail.

I felt the same when I finally decided to get Levi. It was years in the making, but finally making it real was terrifying.... ha

I can't help with Cockatiel advice, b/c I have no experience with them.
I'm sure you've been reading up in the 'Tiel Forum'.

I'm interested in the names you are kicking around. You think it's a boy, soooooo what will you be calling him? If of course, you go through this the purchase.

Yesyesyesyesyesss!!!! Oh joy!



Ok. Folks here know I'm just a total bird nerd. But really, despite my total and utter bias...




Cockatiels are the best.


They are so sweet, silly, snippy, funny, grumpy, needy... ohhh the list just goes on and on. They are the BEST. Budgies are perfect, but Cockatiels are the best. Oh, you will just LOVE him. What a face, too! Such a cutie!!







With how easily Rin and Boomer are calming down after lives of neglect and no doubt outright abuse, I'm sure your soon to be little one will as well. Cockatiels are simply delightful. He will have you laughing for hours if he is anything like our 3 tiels. Such funny little people.



As for toys, they are all different in their play styles. Alex likes to destroy wood(balsa, pine, etc), he likes those yucca chew kabob toys, and he likes plastic toys that rattle and make noise when he bangs them around. Rin is more calculated in his play style. You can see he is smarter than Alex, and he holds toys with his feet as he thinks about how best to destroy them. He also loves running back and forth(and into his toys) to sing and dance. Boomer is the most reserved in his play style. He mostly likes to shred paper and things like that. And whistle his little cockatiel heart out.



Ohhh I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!

I am thrilled for you. He is just right.

Hannah that will be one lucky cockatiel !

Oh Hannah I’m so excited for you!!!!!


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Yay!!!!! Exciting news! (Almost...) Keep us updated

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bug_n_flock said:

Yesyesyesyesyesss!!!! Oh joy!



Ok. Folks here know I'm just a total bird nerd. But really, despite my total and utter bias...




Cockatiels are the best.


They are so sweet, silly, snippy, funny, grumpy, needy... ohhh the list just goes on and on. They are the BEST. Budgies are perfect, but Cockatiels are the best. Oh, you will just LOVE him. What a face, too! Such a cutie!!







With how easily Rin and Boomer are calming down after lives of neglect and no doubt outright abuse, I'm sure your soon to be little one will as well. Cockatiels are simply delightful. He will have you laughing for hours if he is anything like our 3 tiels. Such funny little people.



As for toys, they are all different in their play styles. Alex likes to destroy wood(balsa, pine, etc), he likes those yucca chew kabob toys, and he likes plastic toys that rattle and make noise when he bangs them around. Rin is more calculated in his play style. You can see he is smarter than Alex, and he holds toys with his feet as he thinks about how best to destroy them. He also loves running back and forth(and into his toys) to sing and dance. Boomer is the most reserved in his play style. He mostly likes to shred paper and things like that. And whistle his little cockatiel heart out.



Ohhh I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!

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Thank you so much! That’s really helpful! And your positively has made me feel even more sure

I’d like to collect some Natural pine branches from the trees outside, The wildies use the tree a lot so I guess it will need disinfecting? How would I go about this?

Well this is wonderful news indeed Hannah! Congratulations and I hope all goes well for you and your new birdie

I would lean more towards paperbark branches rather than pine. Pine contains volatile oils that would not be good for your bird if continually chewed on. Paperbark is softer on the feet and they love stripping back and chewing on all the layers. I also found a website that sells a good alternative to those rope perches (which I don’t like since a budgie of mine once got his claw tangled in loose threads!) They’re made of natural sisal and bolt onto the cage bars and they’re great for birdies’ feet. Let me know if you’d like their info.

EDIT: D’oh, Hannah I just checked that website and those perches are sold out, sorry! Story of my life, whenever I find something useful for my birds it disappears!

LaManuka said:

Well this is wonderful news indeed Hannah! Congratulations and I hope all goes well for you and your new birdie

I would lean more towards paperbark branches rather than pine. Pine contains volatile oils that would not be good for your bird if continually chewed on. Paperbark is softer on the feet and they love stripping back and chewing on all the layers. I also found a website that sells a good alternative to those rope perches (which I don’t like since a budgie of mine once got his claw tangled in loose threads!) They’re made of natural sisal and bolt onto the cage bars and they’re great for birdies’ feet. Let me know if you’d like their info.

EDIT: D’oh, Hannah I just checked that website and those perches are sold out, sorry! Story of my life, whenever I find something useful for my birds it disappears!

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Thank you!! I’m surprised the natural pine branches aren’t okay as the cockys, galahs, rosellas etc all love playing and eating in there. And Sunny use to take great delight it stripping the big bits of bark off.
As far as I know we don’t have paperbark trees in Aus. Perhaps popular and eucalyptus bark will be okay?

Yes please, share any good product websites .. even if they’ve sold out for now

The webpage in question belongs to a Brisbane company called The Vet Shed, hopefully they’ll restock those perches because they’re really good for birdie feet and not as hazardous as the rope perches. I will have a scrounge around and see if I can find another supplier. Parrotsupplies.com.au is another good source of food and toys. I avoid any toy that has a bell made of mystery metal, or replace the bell with a stainless steel one from myparrotshop.com or petshopdirect.com.au, they’re much more bird friendly and have a wonderful tone.

Note to Mods, please feel free to edit this post if you feel it’s too commercial!

Thank you for the Info, I’m on the way to get him now! And I’ll buy a few toys from the shop to get me started, will try my best to pick out the safest looking ones!

He’s home!!
I’m smitten, look at his sweet little face :21:


Still unsure of a name.. maybe either, Percy or pip?

Can’t believe I have a bird!!

Congratulations Hannah! Luckiest cockatiel on earth!! I know nothing of the species, but without a doubt you'll connect straightaway!

Cage looks superb, and yes, round "dowel" perches are not the best. Natural perches can be made from tree wood thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and allowed to dry in direct sunlight.

Aw, what an adorable guy! Congratulations .

Scott said:

Congratulations Hannah! Luckiest cockatiel on earth!! I know nothing of the species, but without a doubt you'll connect straightaway!

Cage looks superb, and yes, round "dowel" perches are not the best. Natural perches can be made from tree wood thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and allowed to dry in direct sunlight.

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Thanks Scott!
Glad you approve of the cage, I’ve just been outside to collect find some branches. Can I scrub throughly with hot water and washing up liquid? And then put in the Hot oven for 10 mins? It’s not very sunny today or tomorrow!