General checklist for First time owner?

[ArcticRain]

Hi everyone!

For the past few months I have been thinking about owning my first pet bird. I have done tons of research and have decided that I am ready for the commitment and that I am ready to adopt a feathered friend! I have decided on getting a Cockatiel, I am planning on making a trip to get all the supplies sometime this week so that I can get a bird this weekend.
I know that you need to get toys, cage, food and things like that. But, I was wondering what a good general checklist would be?
What type of perch would a bird enjoy the most? What type of toys are generally more fun? What type of treats do you recommend?
Is there any random extra that I should definitely put on my shopping list?

Sorry if I sound like a paranoid newbie! I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget anything super important and that I am fully prepared to bring home my new friend. Thanks for your help!!

 

[kc_y0]

Hello and welcome!

Congrats on deciding for your new bird, bet you can't wait to get him!

For perches natural wood perches are definitely the best. Get a few different types, different widths are good too. Even try getting a rope perch.
When it comes to toys, your bird will usually have a type of toy it likes, each bird is different Get a couple of different types ie wooden, colorful plastic etc and see which he favours

 

[MikeyTN]

Cockatiels generally enjoys any type of toys you give them, they like the toys with bells on it. Treats would be millet spray, anything good really....They're not super picky!

 

[ArcticRain]

Thanks both of you for your help! I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and buy all the supplies. I should hopefully have a new bird by next week! Thanks again

 

[Kiwibird]

Congrats on deciding to adopt a bird! Cockatiels are great for first time owners. It sounds like you have a pretty good grip on what you need (toys, food, cage, perches), but I do have a few suggestion on things you may not have thought about-

1. A small emergency/transport cage or carrier. For a teil, a cat carrier or canary-sized cage would work. You don't need to spend a lot of money on it, but if you ever have to evacuate for a natural disaster or need to transport your bird to the vet, you need a small, safe carrier.

2. A spray bottle specifically for giving baths (birds love baths!). The reason you should have a bird-specific one is so you never accidentally put a cleaning chemical or anything but water in it.

3. A newspaper or cage liners for easy cleaning.

4. A perch or play stand, so your bird has somewhere to stand while outside it's cage

5. A inexpensive, large rug to put the cage on. This will protect your floors from fruit and poop that's sure to make it's way outside the cage.

 

[goalerjones]

kwikstop just in case he bleeds from an injury...

I use plexiglas around the corner walls and floor that I place Hahnzels cage in to keep splatter from hitting the walls.

 

[ArcticRain]

Kiwibird- Thanks so much! I hadn't thought about getting a couple of those things so, thanks for mentioning them!!

goalerjones- I completely forgot about getting kwikstop! Thanks for reminding me! That's also a good idea about the plexiglass, I'll have to think about that!