Okay I have 4 Parakeets...

[CrazzMc]

Questions at bottom if you don't want to read the two paragraphs about story of my life.

Hey everyone I just joined, but I've been stalking the forum and the blog for over a week or so. I have 4 Parakeets:
Male - 2.5 Years Old
Female - 1.2 Years Old
Female - 1.2 Years Old
Female - 6 Months Old

Female - 2.5 Years Old (Left us :'( about 1.5 Years ago)*

They are all in one cage, we have never let them out (I want to however, we keep them near the family room/kitchen and my mom doesn't want the house dirty. Lame excuse I know.)

Anyway, I tried taming my Male 2.5 Year Old Parakeet about a year and a half ago, but my other bird got loose and flew away while my mom was trying to clean their cage outside. (She tried getting it back, but couldn't I searched for about 8 hours that day and the next few weeks.) Ever since this my bird has been like a loner and kind of like those foreign fathers who just works his day and then sits there. He never wants to do anything and I guess you can say he is scared of me. He eats off my hand, but doesn't wanna see a perch trying to lift him up or a hand either. I can't tame him.

However, I really want to know if my little 6 month old parakeet is tamable. I tried to pet him today while feeding him food and he let me once or twice; it was slowly working. I will probably never let any parakeets out besides him (if he ever gets tame). My mid-aged birds are such chickens its not even funny. They are on the walls when someone walks by the cage Lol.

Now you know my story here are my questions:

Will my youngest bird ever become tamable? If so how long?

Will he get tame while living with 3 other birds? I'm always in my room studying or on the computer. However, I do spend time with them at least 15-30 minutes a day.

I also want a cockatiel (for my room), is a 24" Cage 22" x 22" x 24" size cage good? Or can I get smaller. (I want it taller than wider)

Later on in life I will get another bird a nice mid-large sized parrot. Whats the most friendliest for around $200-$500, I really want a sun conure looks absolutely beautiful but I'm scared if its like a saddo bird lol. Any ideas or tips would help

Thanks guys, all your responses will help whether its only small bits of information.
-Raj

[zazanomore]

First, all your budgies are trainable! If they are all in the same cage though, chances are that they will always prefer the company of each other, rather than the company of you.

My two budgies are semi-tame. What's really helped me with them trusting me is that I have them out of cage for a min. 5 hours a day (fully flighted).

I can totally understand the whole "mom doesn't want the house dirty" thing. That is why I keep all my birds in my room. You said you want to buy a cockatiel for your room, but you should move the budgies in first if you are serious about taming them.

Everyday when I get home from work around 4, I take them out. They know right away that I'm going to let them out, so they step up for me. Routine is really key I find. Over time they started approaching me, and now I can have them fly to me and preen my hair. Let them come to you.

Though my budgies will never be my companions, they are still fantastic pets.

For a cockatiel, you want the biggest cage possible. And though you said that you would rather have a cage that's higher than longer, that wouldn't be the best choice for your bird. They prefer longer cage, it allows more room for toys, and to spread their wings.

Do you know any online bird stores? I'm not sure what country you're in, but we can give you a bunch of great sites. You can find a great flight cages for about 150-200$.

When considering any new parrot, you have to think about all your needs in a bird:
-Loudness
-Cuddleness
-Needyness
-Time you have available
-Size
-How well they socialize with the birds you already have
-Cage requirements
-Temperment

[CrazzMc]

I live in Connecticut, USA and money isn't really an issue for me (: Supplies and Cage wise. I have an online job in which I make quite a bit. The thing is I just don't want a big huge bird just yet. I want to start off small with a cockatiel and maybe in later years I'll buy a macaw or gray. Considering loudness I don't really care, as long as at night its decently quiet haha.

I'm going on vacation in about a month! for two weeks so until then I will be taming my parakeets, after vacation, I will be on the lookout for a perfect cockatiel and a cage. (:

Any websites would definitely help!

Edit: If I get a bird in my room I'd spend a few hours with it at least. I'm in my room studying/on the computer a typical teenager Every now and then I'm out, but I would have time.

Also for my "future" birds, I really want a cuddly one. I really love the sun conture I just don't know if its the "best" choice.

[GlassOnion]

Is there a specific reason for wanting a Cockatiel?

Look into a Green Cheek Conure. People LOVE them, and they're very cuddly and acrobatic. Almost every conure I've seen will lay upside down in your palm and play with your fingers. They're small and very personable. Many will tunnel in your sweater and fall asleep

I highly suggest you look at different species before deciding on one bird.
Some cockatiels will cuddle with you, but some will be aloof and not be keen on touch.

[GlassOnion]

Also, don't do the 'I'll settle for this bird now..." because really, a Cockatiel's needs are about the same as a Sun Conure or another med sized parrot. Research and research, and get the one you want now.

[CrazzMc]

Is there a specific reason for wanting a Cockatiel?

Look into a Green Cheek Conure. People LOVE them, and they're very cuddly and acrobatic. Almost every conure I've seen will lay upside down in your palm and play with your fingers. They're small and very personable. Many will tunnel in your sweater and fall asleep

I highly suggest you look at different species before deciding on one bird.
Some cockatiels will cuddle with you, but some will be aloof and not be keen on touch.

Well I always wanted a Cockatoo and I felt that a Cockatiel was a mini copy of it. I also only have 1 year left before college and I don't know if I would take my bird with me, I'm likely to be going to College in NYC. If I get an apartment then yes I will keep my bird with me. I don't know the life of a conure and if I was to get a bird that has a long life and is very cuddly I would want to be with it. :/
Unfortunately, I probably won't spend much time with my birds in college. I'm a nerd I guess? supposed to get a good job -.- Runs in the family lol. And the price is quite low on a cockatiel, and its going to be my first "personal" bird in my room.

[GlassOnion]

So... What's gonna be the life for your tiel when you move out?
You said your mom already doesn't take out the budgies, would she be willing to cut up fresh veggies everyday, clean the cage everyday, and take the bird out for a few hours everyday?
What about puberty? When birds hit puberty, they become nippy and aggressive. Are your parents gonna deal with this with love?

I'm sorry, but you're making me worry- a lot.

Ps, cockatiels live for LONG. 20-30years is very well possible, same lifespan as a conure.
I really think getting this bird would not be a good idea for you or the bird.

[CrazzMc]

So... What's gonna be the life for your tiel when you move out?
You said your mom already doesn't take out the budgies, would she be willing to cut up fresh veggies everyday, clean the cage everyday, and take the bird out for a few hours everyday?
What about puberty? When birds hit puberty, they become nippy and aggressive. Are your parents gonna deal with this with love?

I'm sorry, but you're making me worry- a lot.

Ps, cockatiels live for LONG. 20-30years is very well possible, same lifespan as a conure.
I really think getting this bird would not be a good idea for you or the bird.

Well at the moment my mom does take care of the parakeets along with my sister. I give them food pretty often but rarely clean their cage. Honestly, I just always wanted a pet for myself. Dad is allergic to "fur" so any other animal maybe even a large parrot isn't even good for the house. That's why I like small birds its one thing I can have besides fish -.- lol.

My friend just recently gave his cockatiel away he couldn't take it between work and college, I guess it all depends on my college schedule but that's a year from now. Right now I really want one.

And yea my mom would end up having to take care of it if I do go off to college without it

[GlassOnion]

If your dad has allergies, be wary of cockatiels.
Cockatiels and Cockatoos give off a lot of dander/dust, and people with allergies suffer from this.
I'm not terribly allergic, but my eyes get itchy and my face gets bumpy if I touch my face after handling my tiel. Just something you need to think about.

[CrazzMc]

If your dad has allergies, be wary of cockatiels.
Cockatiels and Cockatoos give off a lot of dander/dust, and people with allergies suffer from this.
I'm not terribly allergic, but my eyes get itchy and my face gets bumpy if I touch my face after handling my tiel. Just something you need to think about.

Kk thanks so much for your advice I'll definitely take it into consideration.