cockatiel as a pet?!?!?

Question

Im getting a cockatiel in a couple weeks and i was wondering (since i know its not handfed.... i couldnt resist buying it its adorable) is it going to be hard to 'tame' this is my first bird other than a duck! Are they hard to take care of? Are they loud? PLEASE GIVE ME ANY INFO !!! thanks !

thanks! im not sure how old the bird is all i really know is that she/he wont be ready until april 28 so its a baby

Answer 1

Give it some time to adjust to the new environment, but if you're buying from a breeder who hand fed it, there should be no problem taming it at all. I have had my cockatiel for 6 years now and he's one of the nicest bird's I've ever owned. He's only loud when he can't see me (ie I go to the bathroom or leave the apartment) but he's not that loud because none of the other tenants have complained about him. If you let it get attached to you, make sure to have him out of the cage a lot and let him ride around the house on your shoulder. Be careful though because they frighten very easily, so expect it to bail ship if it caught the flash of the sun on a car driving by or another bird flying outside. You might want to keep its wings clipped to keep it from flying into anything that can hurt it.

EDIT: Oh, and as far as what they need, I recommend a seed/pellet mix for food that you can buy at just about any pet store or even wal-mart. Just make sure they have fresh food and water and you also should have a cuttlebone and a mineral block for him. The cuttlebone is a good source of calcium and the mineral block keeps their beak trim, provides needed grit, and provides minerals not found in their food.

Answer 2

no cockatiels are not hard to take care of I have 8 of them what you do is to tame it is first put your hand in the cage and gently try and rub its back then try and see if the bird will perch on your finger once this happens he will feel comfortable with you the only thing is dont let the bird know you are afraid then they will defy you. after you tame your bird make sure that you let your bird out of there cage for a least 1 hour a day this keeps them tame. also clean the cage every day they are very messy and to make sure to cover the birds cage with a sheet so that they can sleep at night. good luck on your new bird hope this helps.

Answer 3

No they are not that loud. When they want attention they will make a loud sqwak but other then that they are fun to have. I have one and I enjoy the bird. When he hears other birds he will make his bird sounds because he is trying to communicate with the other birds outside. He talks and he can say Pretty bird and wolf whistle and he can say hello. They are fun to have. If you have patience with your bird then he will be easy to train. Just give it time and you will be able to hold it on your finger and talk to it. I have fun with my bird and I had it when he was 1/2 years old and it took me time and patience. Have fun with your new bird. Just make sure he has toys in his cage and a cuddle bone so he can use it for his beak. There are toys that will hang from the cage. At the pet store they will tell you what you will need to feed the bird.
My bird can also bob his head up and down like he is saying yes.

Answer 4

A cockatiel was my first bird. I loved him. He wasn't hard to tame at all. You have to be willing to get bit a little though, as with any bird. They aren't that noisy either. Consider getting a book and reading a little bit about him first. I think a cockatiel makes a great first bird.

Answer 5

You have chosen one of the best easiest birds to train.Go do a google search on cockatiels.The "cockatiel society" is the best place to get lots of answers from (on the net) and I also found that "Definititive guide to the cockatiel" was another great site to get information from.I love the birds and now they make very good pets.Have fun

Answer 6

We went thought three of them... They die so soon. We had one every eight years! Okay well they are loud, just put a sheet or something over the cage ( makes them sleep) hitting the cage loudly time to time, makes them quite, and don't do that too frequently ( makes them mean) They eat seed. They talk ( after hours of telling our cockatiel to "shut up", it always woulds say, "shut up pretty bird!" and whistle like men do at bachelor parties when the stripper comes out of a cake.) So after a while of work , it will learn to talk. That is almost all I can tell you, the rest is self explanatory!

Answer 7

i bought i love bird that was not hand fed and now he is the tamest bird EVER! at first when you put the bird in his new cage, it bay look a bit nervous and crazy.
put your hand in the cage for a few minutes then take it back out.
put you hand in the cage agin but this tim place your hand closer etc.
keep getting closer so that the bird gets used to your hand.
pick him up and slowly strokehim gently whist holding him close so he is not frietened.
if handled reguanly you should have a beautiful bird.
and remember the love you give it, the bird will return 110%!

good luck!

Answer 8

should be realtively easy since it is a baby. make sure you give him lots of time. to come out to sit with you so he canbe petted and a head scratch once in awhile. Yes they can get loud,especially if you ignoring him or have been very inattentive.Mine would scream granpop everymorning until he would come in the door. love sing and dance to music. we even had perch so he could eat at the table at supper timeof course off his own plate too. Him and my conure. Good luck and have fun cockteils are loving fun pets.

Answer 9

It is usually good advice to not put different species together. I think the cockatiel will be the loser if you do.

Answer 10

cockatiels are good pets i own two and they are sweet and loyal. Expect to be bitten while training them. Get books and info if youre a first timer.