A cockatiel for my Jardine's parrot.... :/

[DanaandPod]

Hi Wolf,
Thanks for being there.
It has meant a great deal, honestly.
The blue stuff at the bottom is just some cage liner. I got the cage used at the store and it came with it. I plan to use newspaper here on out.
I forget the exact name but if you look up yello cockatiel ...u can find out its type. The top of its head is entirely bald though.
Wouldn't have been my choice of bird, as i stated...however it is sweet and very much growing on me. And, am feeling connected toward it already. Very different in needs however from Pod. But, that is a very good thing.
I didnt know u were having an eye out for a jardines or a meyers. Let me know...espcially a meyers because they are quieter... In the future...Pod will see one or the other in our home. for now, while I pick up hours and tend school, we will have lighting, morning out of cage time and ritual...maye a larger cage for him.... and now he has an added stimulation in the environemt to keep him company. I'm sure all will be fine and coexisting. the quarinteen i forgot... but only once were they close and not touching. I will keep them seperate and wash my hands.

[liz]

Your Latino cockatiel is a real beauty. All the Lutinos I ever saw were bald.
Cockatiels are passive little bundles of joy. They each have their own personalities. They are non aggressive (if you get bit you did something wrong). It is good you are bonding.
Keep Pod as your alpha but take the time to know your cockatiel and you will enjoy it. Be careful when Pod is out. The cockatiel will want to bond but Pod will bite off toes if he doesn't.

[Pajarita]

The mutation is called 'lutino' but you can't tell the gender of a cockatiel unless it's a female wild phenotype (grey face without the yellow or the orange cheeks) or a pearled (and even those are not 100%).

The reason why this is not going to work is that tiels need another tiel with them to be content (they need a flock to be happy). A single tiel is never going to be happy even if you are home all day long and spend every waking hour with it. And tiels are not like bigger parrots (neither are budgies although lovies and plets are in many ways) so they require a different type of approach.

It's highly doubtful that Pod will bond with this bird. Pois are not know for interspecies bonding. It can happen because, basically, anything can happen but it's HIGHLY unlikely. Company is necessary for parrots but, if you are going to go out of your way to find a companion for a bird, you should go with the type of bird that will make a difference and a tiel is not going to make any significant difference in a poi's life BUT, at the same time, it will take up the only extra space you have for a companion bird.

I don't usually comment about people's proclivities, Dana, but you worry me. Well, not you actually, you are an adult, in charge of your own life and should know what you are doing... Pod's situation is what worries me and I'll tell why. You came to us because he was been aggressive. We told you he is hormonal and physically suffering and the only way to solve this is to keep him at a solar schedule but you decided not to because it would mean your not spending the time you want with him. You described his diet and we told you it wasn't good and gave you all kinds of pointers on how to improve it but you made what seemed like a halfhearted attempt and, when it did not work out to your satisfaction, you appeared to have dropped the ball. You don't seem to do any scientific research but still question facts that are ethology axioms over and over and the only apparent reason is that you don't want these facts to be true. You've had Pod for a year but don't seem to have learned much about parrots and appear ignorant of facts that should be pretty obvious by now (you thought budgie mix was too small for his beak, you read his body language the wrong way, etc). You ask for opinions on shipping and, even though out of the six given, only one said it was OK (and the person who gave this opinion is a breeder so, personally, I don't even consider it to be on the same level as an opinion from a bird lover), you were still willing to have a parrot shipped to you sight unseen. You mention depression, anxiety and admit that Pod fills a void in you which, I am sorry to say, doesn't bode well for him. You are always comparing his life to what it used to be and what other unlucky parrots get in other homes instead of comparing it to other parrots better lives which doesn't do anything for Pod as it sounds more like a self pat-in-the-back than an honest attempt to improve his life. You decided on a companion for Pod (which was a great idea or would have been if they could have been kept at a solar schedule), but, apparently, couldn't work out the details with the perfect bird (I would have been on a train to Manhattan the day after I got a reply from the guy who had the female jardine in Manhattan!) or wait a few weeks for the right bird to come along even though everybody told you that there was a distinct possibility that even when ALL the conditions are ideal, it might not work and, instead, shot yourself in the foot by filling up the ONLY space you have available in your small apartment with a bird which species you do not like, with which you have no experience whatsoever and which is so very different from a poi that there is a 99.99% likelihood that it will not work as a companion to Pod.

I know I am been harsh on you and I am sorry for that. It's not my intention to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad and I certainly don't want to alienate you but the only reason why I post here is to help birds not make people feel good and, regardless of how bonded to you Pod might be, he is physically uncomfortable and might even be in pain so he couldn't possibly be happy and, although I hope I am 100% wrong, going by what I read in your postings, you don't seem to be taking any real steps in the right direction when it comes to decisions you make on his behalf. And that worries me.

PS I think the name you want is Piccolo (meaning small one in Italian)

[DanaandPod]

Pajorita,
When I saw that you had yet again posted a lengthy response on my post, I was very hesitant to read it. Sadly, I gave you the time once again. I think you really should consider getting some interpersonal skills! the language you use not only sets people up for failure and a feeling of lack of support but is also accusing and judgemental. "Those who judge will be judged" Therefore, I must say that your expectations are extreme. And, I am not surprised that you have suffered two divorces and a problem child, seeing how you want to aim below the belt at personal targets...I can as well.
I do compare to what other people are doing with their parrots. Infact, I believe that is what the forum was set up for: FOR FRIENDLY CONNECTION AND TIPS AND SHARING OF WHAT EACH OTHER IS DOING WITH THEIR PARROTS AND FOR LEARNING AS WELL. Now, I have every right to make mistakes let along try things as every other human being does...and to come on here and share in hopes of friendly interaction on the parrot/bird subject. My trials and even error does not show that I am ignorant. I am an intelligent person. I certainly don't need some extreme and grandiose stranger who hoards tidbits of info and draws harsh judgements to suit their own ego that they are the best. It is also people who do not try anthing at all to make their situation better that are the ones who do not care. You hardly know the entire story, therefore who is really the one who is ignorant? Words in writing are often misconstrued as well. As far as your lengthy list that you seemingly have the time to keep track of what i am saying on here yet have so many birds that you care the best out of anyone's ability for... I never said that I wasn't following a solar schedule. My bird gets up at sun rise. And, what you claim to be lousy attempts at getting another bird... You fail to realize that there are more details including the other owners interaction. The fact that you went out of your way without knowing all details to say that you would be on the train the very next day... to compare yourself to me, and blatantly put me down in comparison to you screams of some very severe personality issues/flaws on your end. You may very well know some scientific terms and have years of experience with or feeding birds... but I am guessing that anyone who reads this will be chased so far away from ever wanting to return for advice or friendly correspondence that you basically put an end to anyone or any bird having a chance at a better situation. You got some very severe nerve to write everything in stone as if it is unchangeable too. And, a severe nerve to tell me what i am and not capable of doing. Before you go off on a handle judging others you really really really need to look at your life "according to you you are always happy and your life and your care for your birds are near perfect" however, I doubt it. You sound like a very severe person who is greatly insecure and extreme. Now, If I was Michael, I would not want you on here chasing people away. BTW, I have read his book too... but of course you would most likely come back and say that you have read hundreds of books and me reading one book means nothing. lol. I follow Michael because he is not emotionally imbalanced and is not extreme and yet tells things how they are without judging or claiming perfection. He is very respectable for a young man... and I like his videos and his book. BTW, he also commented that he had a bird flown out to him and that its not the worst thing in the world. Also, you mentioned that I read a few comments and decide based off of what I want anyway. Well, again, you are passing incredibly extreme judgement not knowing what i do or where i look or ask outside of this forum when I have read other forums and many many people have had birds shipped with zero problems. I AM ONLY GOING TO ASK THIS ONCE OF YOU PAJORITA. SO PLEASE DO NOT START ANY PROBLEMS WITH ME. I GAVE YOU PLENTY OF RESPONSE DESPITE YOUR DISRESPECTING ME, AND SHOULDN'T HAVE. I ASK THAT WHEN YOU SEE MY NAME AND ANY POSTS THAT I MAKE THAT YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THEM ANYMORE. I NO LONGER WANT ANY FORM OF INTERACTION WITH YOU. THANK YOU. BEST WISHES.

[liz]

Pajarita is very passionate about birds to the point that she does not cushion what she is trying to get across. I have had to duck & weave a few times when she found out I was doing something wrong. But she was right and my birds are better for the knowledge she gave me.

[Tman007]

Dana Thank You or saying what needed to be said. I am new also I sometimes I feel the same way.

[DanaandPod]

Passion doesn't turn people negative on any level. In my opinion, its quite the opposite. Those who have a need to feel better than others though may manipulate in any possible way to make it appear that they are, and in doing this will even claim that they care. Not surprisingly, some people fail at human encounters so they turn to animals. Anyway, the experience has been somewhat frustrating with so much contradicting advice...... "parrots should not be alone, chances are that the very same parrot species will not bond if you get another, even different species housed in the same room will provide comfort and company, some species like a cockatiel should never be put with another because of chance of harm etc., some parrots prefer to be alone like an african grey, da da da da da. da da da da da. " This can be nerve wracking combined with pet store owners who claim they have handled birds/parrots for over 25 years and say that a cockatiel could even become friends with a Jardines. (Hell, there was an Elephant at a Elephant sanctuary that chose a dog as a companion over the other elephants...) Other online forums of folks who claim they have a cockatiel who was alone and happy all of its life... compared to someone else claiming "they are an expert" and that this species cannot absolutely be alone. And, then someone will come along and blame someone for basically taking the advise that someone else gave or listening to something that they read in an article online. Just like there are many articles that birds should be clipped. Well, this is a very difficult thing for someone who is new. And, especially me who needs to put and end to some worry in order to focus on some other serious priorities coming up very soon. (of course then you have people on here who will say that they will put their birds before all other priorities including their family!) And, in essence are accusing you for being the lesser person by making such a statement. Again, making themselves feel better about them.
IN a nutshell, this forum, in my humble opinion should be about community of connecting bird/parrot owners. many other non bird owners do not understand the time and effort and concerns so it is nice to talk to others who do. It should be a positive experience. Nothing but in my opinion because it literally does nothing more than to either discourage people and I would even go as far as create a lot of folks who are going to choose to rehome their birds. Though it has been argued that some folks can make a much happier home for a bird... Let us not forget the tons of Parrot shelters with very very sad numbers of birds. It is easy to judge. Easy to tell someone that they are doing something wrong or that they again "SHOULD" do something another way... without knowing their circumstances/life etc. But, it should be just as easy to commend someone for making efforts instead of putting their efforts down as not good enough. that is blatantly insane. I would even go as far as question the true capacity to make a bird happy if a person treats another person in this way all of the time where their efforts are never good enough. Its a form of mental abuse. And, I really despise the fact that others are out there ready to prey on the vulnerable in this way. But, at the very same time...There is opportunity in everything! And, I appreciate the opportunity to stand up for myself which makes me the stronger. It also reminds me that whatever approach in life I choose... whether it be to continue to wear my heart on my sleeve or not... there will be predators, lol. Anyways.... instead of feeling and believing that there are only a select few on this site that can answer questions... why not those people with more experience put effort into having a section that people can look certain important things up without having to run through reading post after post regarding a topic. Such as solar lighting/ poisonous foods/ etc. Just an idea. I don't like the mentality of people who set out to make themselves the best. My ex boyfriend who was a business owner and who was very smart used to tell me that the workers who he promoted were the ones that worked hard to help their coworkers learn what they know instead of trying to stay as the only one who knows in order to protect thier rank. (and please dont everyone jump on taking this personally...it is just a line...and we should all try to help each other.)

[liz]

I am not going to come back to this thread again. I don't want to be a witness to the blood shed.

[Wolf]

Just because it was mentioned, Grey's do not like to be alone any more than any other parrot. While it is true that most of them are not cuddle bugs and don't want to be touched a lot, that is not the same as being alone. Greys bond to their mates or in the circumstance where they don't have a suitable candidate for a mate they will mate bond with their special human, but again this is not the same as being alone. My Grey Lady is bonded to me in this manner and was from the minute that we met and she does not like me working or playing with the other bids and she lets me know about it in no uncertain terms. She also does not like it if I even leave the room without her. While she will not interact with any of the other birds that I have when she is out of her cage, it is a different story when she is in her cage. Then she not only acknowledges them, she actively talks to them, especially to Mimi, my Amazon. I have no idea what they talk about, but it always seems to help Mimi, and I honestly doubt that Mimi would have made nearly as much progress as she has if it were not for Kookooloo talking to her the way that she does.
Sorry about the story. Greys can be aloof and standoffish and many of them are, but they do not like being alone.

[Tman007]

Dana I work also IWork at night get home at 7:15Am. This is what I do for about 2hrs I spend time with my birds. I clean cages play a little do a little training. I have Micheal's book, Amos will wave turn around lay on his back in the plam of my hand he has started to fly to me and go back to his perch. Now I am telling you this because working and being able to spend some time with your birds will work, As Micheal says it's not how much time you spend it's the quality. Of time you spend.I got of track sorry. I sleep durning the day, And with a conure too. I have
my flock a CD player so I can put on some music for them to listen too. So you can work and do the things you need to do and still hae happy birds they will get into your routine and be fine. I am on my phone and my battery igs dieing, i hope this helped,