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I have one pet cockatiel. She is about 9 years old. I will need ot travel for about 9 days in the spring and a month in the summer. I live alone. When I have to go out of town, I usually leave my cockatiel at my freind's place, who used to also have a cockatiel, which was fine - they liked talking to each other. But unfortunately recently my friend's cockatiel died. Here is what happened: In October or November, my friend purchased a baby quaker parrot. Her cockatiel stopped chirping and three weeks later he died. There were no symptoms except he was sleepy and fluffy that morning. The quaker parrot is still doing fine. My friend is afraid that her quaker parrot might be a carier of a virus and that might have caused her cockatiel to die.
Now I am very uneasy about leaving my cockatiel with my friend. I talked to the vet's office and they said that it is true, that a bird can be a carrier and might be contagious but not exhibit any sypmptoms. My vet has boarding provided for birds, but my bird would need to get tested beforehand. I do not want to subject my bird to a lot of stress and am thinking that maybe I can have someone come to my house to take care of my cockatiel when I am gone for the 9 days in the spring. But when I am gone for a month this summer, that's a different story. I have had some house sitters in the past - but it is a bit tough to find good ones. The last house sitter actually brought a kitten in and also did not bother to replace the leaking water bottle for my cockatiel.
Any advise on what I can do when I travel for 9 days in the spring and a month in the summer? Is boarding a bird at the vet's OK?
Thank you, Olga.

Could you take your bird to a trusted relative's or friend's home and spend time teaching them to care for the bird? I had a friend drive several hundred miles to deliver her birds to me once.

Boarding with a vet is IMO better and less stressful for a 'tiel than being alone for so long with only a brief visit once or twice each day. And an exam and bloodwork is not nearly as stressful as you might be anticipating. My dozen 'tiels are used to having it done regularly and, while they do get anxious, they calm down as soon as we get back home

I would use an unknown visiting sitter only as a third resort, if these other two alternatives aren't possible. As another member here will tell you soon, sitters should be trained and professional. She will probably give you suggestions on how to find the right one.

My best

I would find a family member, friend or neighbor who seems responsible and will do you that favor. Safest I guess to find one who does not have any birds. Show them what to do exactly and hopefully your bird will do just fine. That other friend's Quaker may or may not have caused your bird's death.

I personally would never board at a pet shop or vet office. Lots of diseases could be present in the air, air conditioning ducts or be transferred from bird to bird on an employees clothes, hands, etc. ... Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

I'm not sure who you had hired as a "sitter". Was the sitter a professional or just some kid doing it on the side?
I am a professional pet sitter which means I am insured, bonded and licensed as a business in my town.
My suggestion to you is to check out www.petsit.com and check who are the pet sitters/boards birds under your zip-code listing. The only pet sitters listed under this listing are insured and bonded that are (hopefully) responsible professionals. Some only do dogs and cats, and some (like myself) care for birds.( I would advise NOT to go on craigslist.too risky.)
Since I have 11 birds I have a pet sitter come to my house twice a day whenever I travel. (morning & night)
If you live ain an area that snows I would make sure you allow make arrangements for a snow plow service to clear your drive way so the pet sitter can get in your house. I can not tell you how awful it was when it snowed when people took off for a week to leave me without any way to get inside their house (driveway) during that time.
Yes, it is an expense but it is worth it!!!!!!
Good luck and let us know what you decided to do

All is well! My friend from church kept my bird for me while I was gone for 9 days. My friend is very experienced with birds, she used to raise parakeets. She has a young bird right now (not a cockatiel but about cockatiel's size) and a chihuahua. The dog has lived all his life with birds and just ignores them. My bird did well. We originaly placed her cage in the leaving room since there was more going on there, but at night my friend needs to use the bathroom and the first night my bird got spooked and lost her long feathers in one of her wings. My friend relocated her for the rest of the time to her office. So all is well, but now I suppose I need to trim the other wing to give her balance. My bird cannot make it to the ceiling fan without my help and I think it is upsetting her. Thank you very much for all your advice, it was helpful and I needed your support. Olga.

Ah night frights! My biggest nightmare when I am caring for birds!
One of my tiel customers had night frights. This was the first time of all the times I birdy-sat this bird. Regardless, I was pretty shook up. I talked to the owners of what happened and asked them what THEY do to prevent night-frights. I did what they instructed and so far, A-OK, no problems! Who knows why this happens but it is scary.