[Dandan]

I've had my cockatiel for about 5 years. He had a previous owner who had kept him in a cage in a room and had not tamed him.

I have tried very hard to tame him and he will step up on my finger. He has freedom to leave his cage and flies regularly. He also has plenty of toys and good food. These days he has got more and more shrieky and I worry that he is missing out on being in a flock. He calls out to other birds outside and because he isn't fully tame, I'm not able to give him the companionship he needs.

I have looked into giving him to an aviary in the past but always backed out of doing it because I worry that he will get ill or be unable to deal with aggression from other birds.

I'd really love to let him go and sit in his cage next another cockatiel's cage for a few hours a week so that he can get some company. I'm based in Bristol. If anyone on this forum is based nearby and would consider letting him meet their cockatiels then please get hold of me.

Also if anyone has any advice on the best approach to improving his life then let me know.

Thanks

 

[roxy culver]

You can play him music and soothing things. What makes you think he is unhappy? Sounds like a pretty chipper guy to me! Does he do the shrieking when he's flying?

 

[Dandan]

Thanks for your reply. I always play music for him, especially if he's alone.

I'm just worried that he doesn't get to mix with other cockatiels. He shrieks in the mornings and evenings mostly. Today he was better as I was at home to calm him but when I'm at work I worry that he shrieks all day.

I'd love him to get some time with other cockatiels and I don't want to buy him a mate as they may not get on. If he just spent time with another bird then if they didn't get on it would be fine.

 

[Muffin60]

Hi Dandan
If he has not been used to being with other birds then he wouldn't miss them. Is able to get out of his cage when your out? make him some foraging toys to keep him occupied or a foraging tray with lots of bits and pieces and some food mixed in so he has to look for it.

Tina

 

[roxy culver]

The shrieking in the morning and evening is normal...my males do it too. He doesn't sound unhappy to me. The issue with doing playdates is that you have to make sure both birds have been vet checked and are healthy.

 

[bobobubu]

Dandan I am in the Midlands so we are not exactly neighbours... it's a shame because you'd be able to see how your boy interacts with a group [6 tiels here] and from there decide if your best option is a companion, the aviary or keeping him as a single pet.
My experience as cockatiel owner is extremely limited compared to most members here so I can't offer any expert opinion, but I appreciate your doubts because I was in the same situation when I only had one bird with me... Even though Bubu is very tame, seeing him all alone, trying to get the attention of the birds outside the window, made me very sad. I hope you will find a solution that will make you both happy, and if you ever decide to take a trip north we will be glad to organise a party here

 

[beelute]

I'm no expert, but he seems to be doing well.
My 'tiel shrieks in the mornings as well (much to the annoyance of my room mate), but she's happy as a clam after her morning crazies. Sometimes cockatiels get grumpy right after waking or before bed time.

 

[Amz]

Aw, don't worry about it. That's just a bird being a bird. Rocko likes to make noise just to hear himself, and he's as happy as a tiel can be. I'm sure he's plenty happy.

 

[moonchild]

ALL my birds do the shrieking in the morning thing , and they are as happy as can be.

 

[Dandan]

Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's good to know that the shrieking is normal and he's not as stressed as I thought he was!

Bobobubu, I wish you were closer. I have the same thing as you described, I just can't help thinking that it's not good for him to be all alone. Unfortunately, I live in a flat and I don't think my neighbours would be happy if there was more than one 'tiel shrieking each morning. I also worry that he could reject a mate - not to mention the worry about them successfully mating!

I will keep on the search for an aviary that he can visit occasionally.