Hi Where should i buy my first cockatiel?

Question

Hey all (again) please can someone tell me where i should buy my first cockatiel, Ive had a look for breeders online but havent found 1 in my area! cant belive it!, should I buy from a pet store/shop?

Answer 1

More so than the source, the condition of the Cockatiel is most important. Some people buy from pet shops because it is on a whim or because, as you stated, they cannot find local breeders. Never assume a store is worse than a private breeder, or vice-versa. There are good/bad stores just as there are good/bad private breeders.

Find a place, whether a store, rescue or breeder who will offer you a health guarantee on your bird, sound advice on the care and housing of your new Cockatiel and has all birds, Cockatiels or otherwise housed in clean cages, with a wide variety of food (fresh, seeds, pellets, grains), plenty of toys and proper lighting.

It is also better to buy a banded bird, that way you know the age. Otherwise, it is a guess. I once bought a "baby" "girl" Cockatiel from a pet store. Later, when more educated, I found that the bird could not be a baby because it already had the full face mask in. Not only that, but the full face mask meant it was a boy, not a girl.

Find someone that knows about Cockatiels, too. Even if not the shop, rescue, etc....find a knowledgeable bird buddy that can help you out along the way.

I am not sure what area you are from, but I can suggest you contact the national Cockatiel clubs/societies for a breeder referral. Most have links to members sites.

Try www.cockatiels.org

I am the National Cockatiel Society's Co-State Coordinator for Virginia, but know there are reps in most states.

Answer 2

Have you considered rescue? DO not buy from a petsore if you cna find a breeder first. If it is at a petstore there is a better chance for illness and the bird will probably not be familiar with people. In virginia there is Featherheads which is an Avian pet store. They breedsome of the birds their but also buy from breeders from different areas, and all the babies are handraised. So check adn see if there is a store like that near you. You could get lucky.

Answer 3

Usually the best place to buy a cockatiel is from a breeder. Try to get one that is used to being handled. Some breeders will sell you a baby that isn't weaned yet, so you can hand-feed it for a while and form a strong bond with it.
However, you can find a good cockatiel anywhere; just try to handle it before you buy, to make sure it is reasonably tame. Cockatiels generally are easy to tame, with few exceptions.

Answer 4

Buying them from a pet store/shop should be fine. Be sure to observe the birds for awhile and don't buy one who is just sitting there, not eating, not drinking, sleeping a lot, because that bird would probably be unhealthy. Also, a good pet store will let you play with the birds for a while so you can see who is friendliest andthe best cockatiel for you.

Answer 5

I would try to avoid store, where do you live? Try asking a breeder of any type in your area if they know a good tiel breeder, or find a local bird club. They will talk you ears off about breeders. I have a hard time finding birds too, but since I have about 50, I have managed....maybe I shouldn't have tried so hard.....;) Mary

Answer 6

You could try PetFinder.com. Its a place that you can find people selling birds in your area, its a great site. Buying from a pet store or shop is also fine, they have great animals. Thats where i got mine from.

Hope this helps,
Cockatiel Expert

Answer 7

hi again lol

yes-- pet shops are good

good luck email me if you need anymore help lol
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