Cocktiels!!!

[lozzypop1]

Ok... So I, the person who is most scared of birds in the whole world, have managed to adopt a pair of cockatiels!
I need help! (not ever having owned a bird before)

What do I need to do now?
What valuable advice can you guys give me?
What the f*** was I thinking?
(although the previous owner was going to smash them to pieces?)

Ladies and Gentlemen.... Meet Heads & Tails!
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Funny, I used to hate being spanked as a child!
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[Finglonga]

Shit thought it said......

https://www.neonportal.de/cocktails/cocktail002.jpg
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Whosthedaddy]

Easy, hardy birds to look after

Fresh hard veg to munch
Cocketail food / seed every couple of days
They love millett
Fresh water every day

As for toys, anything that a budgie would play with will do as they are not the brightest of birds.

Get their wings clipped at the vets so they can be handled a little easier, they love human contact and are easily trained.
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[lozzypop1]

[TheShaggyDA]

Not very big, but quite flavoursome, especially roasted in honey and served with bacon

https://www.napastyle.com/kitchen/recipes/images/honey_quail_lg.jpg
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[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Itchy]

Birds like that can be like EMO girl friends ,if you develop a close bond you go away on vacation too long and they will self harm and tear out their own feathers.
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[queen of string]

You could always build them an outside aviary and a flight (big wire net cage to fly in). They quickly return to a wilder state and will cheerfully ignore you as they are to busy doing bird stuff. that way you only have toprovide food and water and clean the floor now and again , and you dont have to put up with them screeching at such close quarters. They are really hardy and as long as you have a night box will survive the winter perfectly fine.
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"Eat food, not edible, food-like items. Mostly plants."

[IronMaiden]

Actually they are quite bright birds as they belong to the parrot family. If you whistle the same tune over and over for long enough, they will eventually copy you. You can also train them to do tricks if you get them young enough. The one I owned used to dance to music.

Like most parrots, they need cuttlefish or something similar to keep their beaks sharp otherwise they will chew on anything they can find. You will get plenty of advice on the net about the care of Cockatiels.

If you have a problem try asking one of the experts like Tara at:
https://www.allexperts.com/browse.cgi?catLvl=3&catID=1638

Good Luck!

[Whosthedaddy]

Our Albino female (Reggie ) tried to mate with our budgie, he obligied and they had a several batches of eggs Ever seen a budgie tying to sit on 6 large eggs
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[LustyLew]

Did they ever hatch?!
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[Whosthedaddy]

All duff, maybe the budgie only had a small winkle
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[SoulRider]

I have had my cockatiel for about 11 years now, I let him have food whenever he feels, he is not obese or un healthy as only eats when needs to.

Cuttle fish bones they love and will get through them in no time, watch them so you can replace it when needed. Also a treat or two is good to stop them getting bored. Mine has a mirror and he loves it, best thing i brought for his cage. As for clipping of wings theres no need, let the bird out regulary for a few hours to allow them to stretch their wings.

To keep their claws under controll you will need to get a special perch which keeps them down (need to replace mine as has picked it apart). Theya re expensive but last years.

Best replacement perch if you dont have one for a while or simply have room for a second perch is a branch of a tree, they love the bark and will completly strip the twig/small stick in a few days.

Cockatiel food is best to use but you can use fruit and veg to treat them, however if the cockatiel will not go near it then remove it from the cage as they get nervous and scared easily. Mines very fusy with what treats and extras he likes.

They are great little birds, but when they screach at 5am on a summer morning, just cover them up as they wont shut up and you wont get to sleep.
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[lozzypop1]

Ok so Heads & Tails now have a new, Larger home, complete with mirror steps, cuttlefish, bells, perches and sandpaper at the bottom (is it normal for them to eat the sandpaper? )

Been coaxing them to eat from my hands, Tails will have none of it! has a real attitude problem. But Heads is cool, even brave enough to perch on my finger and be fed from my other hand! (this is the bird thats already gone nose to nose through the cage with my pup!)

Vets appointment booked for Monday, unsure of how much it's going to cost me but is important to find out:
A) That they are in good health
B) What sort of age they are
C) What sex they are
and
D) Basic info about keeping birds!

(Wonder how much this is going to cost me! I can tell you it's the last time i try to play hero for a while )

Thanks for all the replies, even the ones that made me chuckle!
____________________
Funny, I used to hate being spanked as a child!
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

[SoulRider]

The sex i think is relativly straight forward to tell, The males have very plain coloured / single coloured tail feather where the females have patterns and multi coloured tails as such.

Atleast thats what i think
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[Whosthedaddy]

Yep they love to chew stuff, be careful when they are out as my mums chewed both wall paper and lightshades
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[Louise]

Man, thought it said cocktails lmao!
Ive heard there Hardy animals.
But a bitch to get back in if you let them out.

[lozzypop1]

The play on words was deliberate! can tell now how many of you are closet alcoholics

They're a funny pair, Heads is happy to come out of the cage, eat from my hand and perch pretty much anywhere, Easy to get back in too! He seems to know that it's home!
Tails on the other hand is a vicious, antisocial ole trout both to Heads and us humans too! (we should get along wonderfully) although she DOES whistle at me anytime I walk out of the room and she can't see me, Then quieten back down when I return!

Vet says both are in good health, and basically just make sure they have food and water and they'll pretty much look after themselves!
Right now Heads is observing me from on my shoulder

Thanks all x
____________________
Funny, I used to hate being spanked as a child!
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

[LustyLew]

If you need any advice, you could try www.parrot-link.co.uk/forum. I am registered there as I am looking at getting an African Grey in the next 6 months or so. They're a friendly bunch, if a little obsessed
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[SoulRider]