Hello everyone!
I'm not sure where to start really... I've just got a new cockatiel, Sammie, I'm told he's somewhere under a year old, but I got him from a big pet store, he's not at all tamed so I don't think they really know much about him or have any contact with the breeder..
Sadly here in Ireland we don't have anywhere near the options you have in the US/UK so after weeks of looking for hand reared birds I ended up having to travel to the next city over to get one from the store (even my 2 local pet shops didn't have any *healthy* ones)!
Anyway, I've had Sammie now for 2 weeks, he's starting to settle, he loves his cage and his toys, he did have a mirror that he played with *a lot* but I've removed it through fear of him bonding to "himself" more than me
I'm saying "he" because he does sing to me and he "feels" like a boy... I suspected he might have been a girl due to the lack of markings but from what I've read, his behavior is much more male.. If not... Sammie could be a girly name too... right?
I've read so much information on all over the internet, I had 2 cockatiels as a child too but it's so different now I'm actually responsible for him! I read all these different sites, posts and information, it all scares the living daylights out of me that there's so much I could do in a normal day that has the potential to kill my new little family member! My boyfriend says I'm like a new mother, worrying over every cough and sneeze!
Anyway, I'm open to any and all advice, I could write forever about my little guy but I think one wall of text is enough for now ^_^ Here's a picture of Sammie for you all:
I'm not sure where to start really... I've just got a new cockatiel, Sammie, I'm told he's somewhere under a year old, but I got him from a big pet store, he's not at all tamed so I don't think they really know much about him or have any contact with the breeder..
Sadly here in Ireland we don't have anywhere near the options you have in the US/UK so after weeks of looking for hand reared birds I ended up having to travel to the next city over to get one from the store (even my 2 local pet shops didn't have any *healthy* ones)!
Anyway, I've had Sammie now for 2 weeks, he's starting to settle, he loves his cage and his toys, he did have a mirror that he played with *a lot* but I've removed it through fear of him bonding to "himself" more than me
I'm saying "he" because he does sing to me and he "feels" like a boy... I suspected he might have been a girl due to the lack of markings but from what I've read, his behavior is much more male.. If not... Sammie could be a girly name too... right?
I've read so much information on all over the internet, I had 2 cockatiels as a child too but it's so different now I'm actually responsible for him! I read all these different sites, posts and information, it all scares the living daylights out of me that there's so much I could do in a normal day that has the potential to kill my new little family member! My boyfriend says I'm like a new mother, worrying over every cough and sneeze!
Anyway, I'm open to any and all advice, I could write forever about my little guy but I think one wall of text is enough for now ^_^ Here's a picture of Sammie for you all: