New Owner of two cockatiels!!! help!!!

[cuteyandashes]

Hi everyone,

Approximately three months ago i bought my cockatiel "Cutey" who i thinkkk is female from what the avian vet told me - she just speculated. She is 10 months old with grey with a yellow crest and faded orange cheeks.

Today i bought another cockatiel i called "Ashes" who is grey all over with white around his wings. He is 8 weeks old.

The previous owner had told me Ashes is weaned and has just been introduced to a cage. When i brought ashes home he straight away headed for the cage rather than the box.

The two teils are getting themselves acquainted. However, ashes being so young doesnt whistle or speak or make any sound hes just so timid.


So my question is::::::: Are there any tips you guys can offer to bring up ashes.. i tried feeding him seeds but he doesnt want, im not completely sure if i should continue to feed him formula.. im just lost! And finding info i need on this is like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Allee]

Hello and welcome, Tamara! Congratulations, you have two adorable cockatiels!

I'm no expert on cockatiel mutations, but some of our members are, maybe some of them will know for sure if your birds are male or female.

It sounds like Ashes may not be fully weaned. If you have been hand feeding, I would continue the feedings until you are certain your bird is eating enough to replace the formula.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

 

[cuteyandashes]

Hello and welcome, Tamara! Congratulations, you have two adorable cockatiels!

I'm no expert on cockatiel mutations, but some of our members are, maybe some of them will know for sure if your birds are male or female.

It sounds like Ashes may not be fully weaned. If you have been hand feeding, I would continue the feedings until you are certain your bird is eating enough to replace the formula.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

Thank you for the tips! I figured out i basically have to prompt Ashes to eat by bringing the seeds to his beak but when i spread seeds across the floor or table he lovesssssssssss going around picking at them .. so i have been doing that so he eats.

As for Cutey, she/he (i dont have a clue anymore) is so aggressive and bites at Ashes whenever i am around. I am second guessing Cutey's gender because of his/her behaviour. He/she whistles, knows how to say "what you doing" "hello" "hello cutey" .. so im wondering isnt talking and whistling is a male trait? Also, he/she is always making a heart shape with its wings, bopping its head up and down at its reflection and sometimes me too..??

 

[Allee]

Maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Cutie is a male and Ashes is a female. Like I said, I'm not positive.

Have you offered your tiels fresh vegetables, fruits, or pellets? Seed alone isn't the healthiest diet for your birds. It would be great if you could start them on pellets and fresh food while they are still so young. Here's a good link that lists safe fresh food and also has a list of foods that are toxic to parrots.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

Some may argue, but from personal experience, both male and female birds have the ability to talk, there's no guarantee that any species will talk. Cockatiels aren't at the top of the list for being great talkers. I've never met a single cockatiel that doesn't whistle and I've known males and females that talked. They can also mimic a wide variety of noises.

I hope that helps with Cutie and Ashes' diets. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.