by liz » Wed May 18, 2016 7:00 am
Thank you for rescuing the little Cockatiel. I am amazed how people can mistreat or neglect such a precious little being.
All but the horses that I have are rescues. My collection of Cockatiels started when Shadow lost his mate, Sweetie. Sweetie was part of a 2 pair that I had and I could not let Shadow be alone. I searched Craigslist for a Cockatiel that needed me as well as one to be friends with Shadow.
I never want to have 1 of anything. They are afraid when their is only one. That goes double for cockatiels. With so many throw aways such as you $20 bird there has to be a friend out there that needs your help too. Rescuing little abused and neglected birds seems excessive to a lot of people. Craigslist has so many. I would go back to Craigslist and find him a friend. You don't have to worry about the sex. Cockatiels bond with other cockatiels and that is how it is. Two boys are like brothers. Two cockatiels only mean more poop and that is the only drawback. Two can be cared for as easy as one.
I have been told by many people including my phsycologist that I have too many birds. My response is that he Cockatiels. I told him that I do not have 13 cockatiels but I consider them one flock even though each one has it's own personality.
I do not teach or trick train my little refugees. After quarantine I let them join the flock which is always accepting the new one. Cockatiels learn from each other and a Cockatiel with back up feels more secure. I ignore the new ones and let the flock teach them. I have a few who should never trust a human again but are now coming to me.
Please go back to Craigslist and find a friend for him. Even if the next one seems wild, once it adjusts it will try to bond to you.