New Cockatiel, but I'm clueless!

907 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ivankhoury, Jul 18, 2018

ivankhoury

Discussion Starter · Jul 15, 2018 (Edited)

Hello there I'm new to the forums.
I had to post this really fast because I got a new cockatiel. No, I didn't buy the cockatiel without knowledge about the species if that's what you're wondering, I had to adopt it immediately from a family that got 'bored' from it (they had it in really bad conditions with a small cage and the kid in the family always grabs (tortures) it).

So I've got a few questions, first one being what's the bird's gender?

The cockatiel is terrified, is it recommended to keep it near my desk where I sit a lot in order to tame it? It's currently still in the same cage (refused to move to another).

How old does this cockatiel look?

Do cockatiels like music?

Does the cockatiel hate AC?

Is it ESSENTIAL to trim the cockatiel's wings? They are currently trimmed, but I don't plan to trim them again if it isn't absolutely essential.

When it gets used to its surroundings, should I house it with my budgies or with my zebrafinches? (I have a big flight cage that is split into 2 spaces). And no, getting a new cage just for it isn't an option, I don't even have the space.

I'd appreciate ANY help, thanks in advance.

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ivankhoury

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 16, 2018

Robert Seale said:
Hello and welcome to the forum. MOST of your questions can be answered right here. I REALLY hate to hear that this bird was abused. That alone is going to take time and patience (on your) part to over come. Based on my four tiels, the bird looks like a male normal grey that I would guess to be at least a year or two old. Your other questions would be better answered in other areas of this website. He LOOKS like a healthy bird, I hope it works out for you.

Thanks for the help!
Where can I post my other questions?

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ivankhoury

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 16, 2018 (Edited)

angiessa said:
Aw, so sorry to hear the poor thing was being mistreated. Good on you for rescuing it.

I'm not an expert, by any means, but...you may have to keep the idea of rehoming the tiel in the back of your mind. What if he doesn't get along with the budgies or the finches? You can't force him to live with other birds if he turns out not to get along with them, or you'll have fighting.

Just something to keep in mind. Welcome to the forums!

You don't get it! I don't live in a place where people know how to properly take care of birds, even the nearest avian vet to me is about 70 miles away. The bird is safest with me.
Alternatively, I have a 45cm x 35cm cage that can be his home, but I'm unsure if that's enough space for a tiel.

Thanks for your help.

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ivankhoury

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 18, 2018

Renee Garcia said:
I can't see the image, however. Based off how you don't have space, you might want to give the cockatiel to a better home. After being abused, the poor thing shouldn't be housed with next to or WITH other birds. I recommend you give him a simple cage, patience, and time. Once you notice him being less scared, consider putting him up for adopting to a A GOOD home: with good cage, space, food, $$, time, love, etc. Or maybe you could keep him if you set the bar for him higher. Blessing to you & your tiel.

Thanks a lot for your help.

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ivankhoury

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 18, 2018

Renee Garcia said:
I can't see the image, however. Based off how you don't have space, you might want to give the cockatiel to a better home. After being abused, the poor thing shouldn't be housed with next to or WITH other birds. I recommend you give him a simple cage, patience, and time. Once you notice him being less scared, consider putting him up for adopting to a A GOOD home: with good cage, space, food, $$, time, love, etc. Or maybe you could keep him if you set the bar for him higher. Blessing to you & your tiel.

littletiel said:
Hello, and welcome to the forum!

I think your tiel is a female based on the colour of the cheeks (too pale I think for a male, but it could just be the photo).

About music, I think it is individual. My tiel likes Mozart, but hates Beethoven for example.

I don't know for sure as I don't have it, but I don't think AC is good for tiels.

It is not necessary to trim a tiel's wings. I haven't for quite a while as my tiel is very good at flying and definitely not clumsy. Some tiels bump into things while trying to fly because they are clumsy, so owners trim their wings. At any rate people usually don't agree on this, so you will have to decide for yourself what is better for your tiel.

Don't house your tiel with other birds, particularly other species. If you don't have the space for a bigger cage, are you able to keep your tiel out with you? My tiel is always out with me (although his cage is not small). He only goes in to sleep or when he is very mad and 20 minutes inside under the blanket usually calm him down.

Thank you very much.

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