I'm planning on buying a bird and need advice on choosing a species?

Question

i'm a begginer bird owner with limited funds and i was planning on buying a parakeet, and then i started looking up info on cockatiels and i was a wondering the cost of a cockatiel and if they are alot harder to care for than parakeets, and just which one you would recommend for a new bird owner?

Answer 1

Both birds are great for new bird owners because they're docile, well mannered, and fairly easy to care for as long as you're consistent, responsible, and prepared. They generally need the same care (the biggest factor in care, to me, is the diet). Both are Australian species who require higher amounts of seed in their diet than most birds, but they both require the same foods (10% seed, 10% fresh foods, 80% pellets).

I think many cockatiels tend to be friendlier. They're not as jumpy or hyperactive as budgies, but both birds have, in general, fantastic little personalities.

How limited are your funds? Keep in mind that a good bird (that is, not a sick one, not one from a large chain pet store where they receive terrible care, not one from some irresponsible "my-bird-laid-eggs- therefore-I'm-a-breeder" person, etc. You want a good, responsible, reputable breeder or better yet, a rescue. http://www.mickaboo.com ) can be around $20 (budgie case) to $150 (typically hand-fed, good parents, healthy - don't let the 'hand-fed' throw you off. Parent-fed birds can make awesome pets as long as they've been handled often and nurtured properly, and because these bird species are so sweet by nature, even if you got an untame bird, it probably wouldn't take too, too long for you to tame it yourself). A cage can be anywhere from $50 (cheap, crappy ones - you don't want those or starter sets - starter sets SUCK and give you TERRIBLE items) to $1,000 (large and stainless steel, best). Vet checks by a certified avian vet, who only works with birds and is best at treating them the way a cat/dog vet could never imagine, can be $50 to $75 plus any medications or treatments it may need. Emergencies can be $20 to $2,000. Food can be $50/six months, if I were to give a VERY rough guess. One toy can be anywhere from $2 to $30. One perch can be anywhere from $5 to $50. Toys and perches need to be switched around at least once a week and of great variety.

If you're planning on a budgie, a great budgie website is http://www.budgietalk.com I really wish there were an equivalent I knew of a cockatiel site, but hopefully someone else can help you with that. A great general parrot site for future reference and current research is http://www.rationalparrot.com

Good luck.

Answer 2

Cockatiels need a larger cage than parakeets, but they are the same to care for.
Usually, cockatiels are much easier to tame than parakeets, but it also depends on the individual. I would recommend getting a hand-fed bird, especially if it's a parakeet. They cost a little more, but they are worth it because they bond with you more easily. Also, often you can get a nicer bird for a lower price if you buy from a breeder than from a store. I recommend that you handle the bird before you buy it, to make sure it is tame. Both birds can bite, so this is important; it gets kind of discouraging to have a parakeet that keeps biting you.
Get its wings clipped when you buy it, at least until it is thoroughly hand tamed. This makes the bird easier to tame and prevents it from flying out a door or window. If you are comfortable handling the bird, you can cut the new feathers as they regrow; or they will probably do it for you inexpensively at the pet store.

Answer 3

Cockatiels are great. My seven year old son has been begging for 3 years to get a bird. About a month ago, I told him that if he was willing to work for a bird, he could get a bird. So, he's been breaking his neck around here to earn money, and since I've already got a macaw in the nursery at our pet store here (she's still weaning) I spend 2 hours there per night anyway.

So, Alex found his bird, a Cockatiel named Disco. She's great. And the more you play with them, the more you have them out and with you, the more you interact with them, the more tame they are.

He's seven and Disco is the sweetest bird imaginable.

My feeling is that if you're wanting to move up the food chain over the years in bird ownership, wanting to learn more about the larger parrots, the Cockatiel is the way to go. Budgies are good, but there is so much you can learn in the ways of parrots through cockatiels.

We paid 127 for Disco. She's a Cinnamon Pearl Cockatiel, hand fed. I got her cage at a huge discount, so I only paid 40 bucks for it (it had been used for baby Goffins for 2 months) and then I got 5 toys for 20 bucks. A large bag of Zupreem pellet was 10.95.

She'll be home this weekend.

Answer 4

I believe that getting a cockatiel would be your best bet. You might be able to communicate with it more. They can whistle, and do other things that parkeets cannot do. They are much more personable. Parakeets are known for not being very interactive, and also for biting. I owned parakeets for 2 years, and I tried to handle them everyday. I'd end up with bite marks and blood..They never were personable, and I ended up giving them away. For a first time owner, if you know that you will have time to spend with it, I'd go for the cockatiel. Good luck.

P.S. ALL BIRDS CAN BE MESSY! :)

Answer 5

Well I have had many birds I now have a cockatoo. If your only looking to spend 150 on a cage than you shouldn't get any thing bigger than an cockateal witch are great birds an can even learn to say a few words . Sun conards are also neat little guys. Just remember birds are very fragile with allot of cleaners and smoke and must be kept very clean by the time you notice they are sick its usually to late. Good luck!! you might want to visit some bird farms an breeders talk to them an meet diff breeds. Try to stay away from pet stores...

Answer 6

Hello i don't know to much about cocateils i own a quaker and everyone says they are very similar. But your question can only be answered by what you prefer. If you want your bird to talk the cocateil is going to show progress faster but parakeets can learn how to talk i've witnessed it. Low budget you should go with a parakeet however a cocatiel is around 200 and the cage ranging in either 30-50 i got my cage for 36. If you dont have alot of free time go with the parakeet because if cocateils are similar to quakers they require alot of attention. About an hour to a half hour at a time for about four to five times a day however a parakeet will stay happy if it is out for 15-20 minutes a day. I enjoy my quaker very much either way you go you'll have alot of fun. P.S if you want to handle it alot you should go with the cocateil i've heard from many previous parakeet owners that they can grow to hate being handled and or coming out of their cage but if your commited to it they will grow out of it.

Answer 7

although parakeeys are cute in the pet shops most are not hand fed, therefore they are not well socialized and are hard to handle. They can with alot of patience and time be easy to someday. They are easy to feed and care for though. I would recomend a cockatiel if handfed as a baby they make sweet loving pets and companions. Some even learn a few words and whistles. They are just as easy to care for and make wonderful beginers, but you must be willing to give the attention they need.

Answer 8

Cocktails are nice birds to have around and if you don't want a very pricey one you can always go for a common one. I think lovebirds are great too(even if you see they are unfriendly looking in pet shops)! If you want a lovebird you might be lucky to find baby ones at a bird fair. Cocktail are just the same but one day I wish to get a young baby one. If you get a baby bird always find ways to bond like if it's really, really young you can feed it. If you got it at that age it will be so tame and be a perfect bird for it's caring owner.

Answer 9

I have grown up with parakeets, They are very sensitive and loveing, good small birds, If you take time with them you can teach them to talk. Love is the key. Down sides to them they are dirty, seed can go everywhere.

Answer 10

Little birds are cheaper but a lot less loving without alot of handling, it totally depends on this whatever bird you decide color is what always caught my eye.