A few general questions..

[alec92]

Hey guys,

I used to have a couple tame cockatiels who would follow me around the house and happily sit on my desk or my shoulder for hours, however I haven't had birds for a few years now.

I'd really like to get some more tame birds and have a few questions.

1) Most importantly, what breed of bird should I get? Rainbow lorikeets are friendly and easy on the eyes but they make too much of a mess and are too loud. I'd like something which isn't too messy or loud, is friendly and smart. I don't want to spend much more than $400, so I was thinking either a rosella or cockatiels? Any other ideas? (I also don't want anything too much bigger than a rosella)

2) What are the essentials? I'm told the best cage is a small one with a large door. I'm guessing if I have a sock/curtain around the bottom of the cage and keep the food down low, this will minimise the mess a fair bit? Should I put newspaper or something on the bottom of the cage?

3) I want to have the bird out of the cage a fair bit as well, so what is a good choice of play area to keep the bird on which is also easy to clean?

4) What's the best method of toilet training them?

5) Anything else that I should know? Would I be best off getting a pair of birds, or just one? Is it wise to mix breeds of birds (ie get 1 cockatiel and 1 rosella)?


I appreciate any advice

[pennyandrocky]

start with one it's easier to train one if you get 2 it will be harder to bond since the birds might prefer to be with eachother and not you.later on if you want another it's fine to get a different kind.when i went to the foster home to meet mya the man who was caring for her had something that looked like bathmats under all cages and play areas.if your looking for a bird that's already tame try finding a rescue there are so many birds in need of homes and the rescue should allow you to visit many different birds to find the right one for you.

[marie83]

It sounds like another 'tiel may be ideal for you but there are other species like budgies, green cheek conures and others that may be suitable as they are pretty quiet usually.

The 'tiels I've had are definitely the least messy I've had and mess is further reduced when feeding pellets as a base diet, although they do need other foods too like fruit and veg.

Cages should be as big as you can afford and have space for as long as they meet the birds requirements regarding bar spacing etc. Big doors are definitely better. My green cheek has a big cage but only a small door so I actually have to crawl in through the bottom to fit some of the toys he has as I cant reach the top, I can confirm that is a pain in the backside when it comes to cleaning and toy rotation but both need doing and other than that the cage is good. Newspaper is a good cage lining, cheap and easy to change.


You can buy ready made play stand/trees which have trays to catch mess so they are easy to clean but they are expensive. We made a play stand for £7 out of a large plant pot, 3 tree branches tied with leather strips and gravel to hold it in, it's easy enough to keep clean really with a damp cloth. and it can be arranged to suit yours and your birds needs.

I can't really advise on toilet training as I've never trained any of mine but there are some good articles around.

[alec92]

Cheers for the info, guys!

So I've read Michael's guide on toilet training birds, which I'll definitely use!

Still just wondering what type of play area is best, as I'd like to have my bird in the living area on a table quite often. I'm thinking a wooden play area would be quite messy?

Also, I've heard male cockatiels are smarter and have a better chance of talking. Is this true with all parrots?

Thanks

[liz]

I have never heard a female tiel talk but they do chatter and try to comunicate. Both of my males talk with a limited vocabulary (I have never tried to teach them) and understand the words that they say. All my tiels seem to understand me.

They are wonderful little friends. They don't get out often but when they do two of them come to me for attention.

You get what you put into them.

If you want to start with just one it will always accept the next one. They are happy little flockers and will improve your quality of life.