Welcome to..
Majestic Wings Aviary !!
Majestic Wings Aviary !!
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Our Cockatiels
GREAT NEWS!!
I am now Virginia's state coordinator for
The National Cockatiel Society
Come join us today!
Some photos of our Flock members. Adults, Juveniles & Special Babies!
The folloing information is meant for informational purposes only. Contact your qualified Avian Vet if you feel your bird is showing signs of ill health.
So you've decided to adopt a cockatiel .. are you ready? There's so much to learn and know before adopting your pet, bringing him home, if he gets ill, you decide to breed him, etc. So I will attempt to list basic as well as advanced care on this site along with links to others I highly recommend.
Is a cockatiel right for me?
Well, it all depends. Here are some frequently asked questions about owning a cockatiel & my experiences with them:
Q: Can I afford one?
Note: To care for cockatiel is no more expensive than a small dog. Cages can run you anywhere from $40 and up depending on the size and style. Food, toys, accessories & vet bills.
Q: What if I have other animals in my home? Will my bird be safe?
Note: Never leave a parrot unattended in your home outside of his cage for ANY amount of time. Do not leave his cage accessible to other predatory animals. Accidents can happen and usually do. I've gotten 'that call' from a lady before "OMG!! I left for ONE MINUTE and my dog got the bird!" PLEASE make sure your cage is set high enough out of other animals in the house's reach, cage doors are secure and fastened. Accidents are everywhere waiting to happen.
Q: Are cockatiels one person birds?
Note: Cockatiels will sometimes 'pick' someone they prefer over another, but if handled alot by everyone in the house (visitors included) most get used to being held by strangers and get along with everyone.
Q: Does it make a difference if they are hand fed or parent raised?
Note: In my experience, yes. Individually handfed babies are sweeter, tamer, social and more docile. While parent raised tend to be skiddish, timid and 'wild'. UNLESS the breeder handled the babies in the nestbox regularly to get them used to being held and socialized. Though I have noticed a difference in temprement still, just not as profound.
Q: Can I devote time to my new pet EVERY day for the rest of it's natural life?
Note: Tiels have a life span of 10-30 years. Many bring a bird home with every intention of giving him/her a great life filled with entertainment, then turn and get 'bored' with it, spending less and less time with him. Birds are NOT a decoration. don't buy a bird to LOOK at or 'entertain' YOU. You're the entertainment.
Q: Can I afford Avian vet treatment?
Note: A visit at your qualified avian vet office will cost you at least $50, PLUS any tests that need to be run (Most $20 EACH). I suggest you have this in mind when taking on ANY pet. If you can't afford the possible vet bills, you shouldn't bring home a pet. An intial 'well check up' visit should be done within 3 days of purchasing/acquiring your pet. After that, any concerns with your birds health or over all well being should be taken up with your Avian vet immediately. Birds are programmed to hide illnesses to avoid flock rejection or predators. If your bird looks ill, he's probably worse off than you think. Time is of the essence and you should IMMEDIATELY contact a qualified avian vet.
Q: Do I mind a pet that demands my attention?
Note: Your parrot, not unlike a cat or a dog, will 'call' for you, voice his opinion at will in the form of a screech, squawk, whistle, or any other noise they can muster to fall on unsuspecting ears. Imagine having a 2 year old child wanting you by his side for the rest of his life.
Q: Are they messy?
Note: YES! VERY! There are seed catchers and specially designed cages to minimize the mess, but nothing is full proof guaranteed to stay mess/seed/dust/feather free. Grab your broom, vacuum and be prepared to clean up after your bird EVERY DAY.
Q: Do I have allergies/asthma?
Note: Cockatiels give off a 'dust' constantly and if you have any breathing problems, you might want to consider a different pet as a cockatiel could ultimately aggravate this condition. There are some VERY GOOD home air purifiers on the market today that could alleviate this issue.
Q: Do they require a specific diet?
Note: Yes, they do. A cockatiel needs more than just 'bird seed'. They require a large variety of fresh nuts, fruits, vegies, seed & grains.
Q: Are they safe with children?
Note: Hand fed cockatiels are a great first bird for a child due to their small size, wonderfully social personalities. However, children should be constantly monitored while handling cockatiels. No parrot is 'child proof'.
Q: Will my landlord allow me to have a parrot in my apartment/home?
Note: Some apartment managers/housing officials do not allow parrots on the premises. Even your spouse/room mate might have something to say about you owning a parrot LOL! Do some checking BEFORE bringing one home. It will save YOU AND THE BIRD alot of trouble in the end.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when bringing home a parrot. These are just a few things to consider .. I can't possibly list everything there is to having a cockatiel in your home, but there are groups on the internet specifically geared for cockatiel owners that you can join and ask anything under the sun you would like know about your tiel. See you there!
Click to join CockatielBreeders
(Group on Yahoo)
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Feel free to leave us a note on our Comments Page,
or contact us if you need anything!
Kat Magistri
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