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Hi, I just wandered over from conure chat...I'm a long-time bird nut, currently hooked on love birds. My baby is getting old & in failing health, so I'm planning ahead, as I will be a weeping puddle when she finally goes. I had thought I'd just get another love bird immediately, but my vet suggested I consider a green cheek conure since they are funny & smart & loving--bird traits I desire. I've been hanging out on the conure page to learn about them. Someone suggested I check rescue sites, which I did. I found a local person looking to rehome her beloved pair of cockatiels. So, here I am to ask for your input as to the pros & cons of life with cockatiels. I may still be drawn to a love bird, but fear I'd constantly compair a new love bird to my current baby--who is the BEST bird I've had in 60 years. Someone also suggested a Senegal & I've been reading up on them. They sound intriging, too. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Cockatiels are on my very short list of favorites

Tell us more about her pair. Why do they need a new home? Would you be able to interact with them before making your decision? Would she make vet records available for your vet's review prior to a decision? Do you care if they are perhaps older, maybe with chronic health problems? I know you said earlier that you can't bear the thought of losing another, so my guess is you'd prefer young, healthy birds.

Are the pair bonded, clutchmates, tame, flighted? Have they produced chicks? If one is female and older than 12-15 months, how often does she lay eggs?

Cockatiels are extraordinarily friendly, lovable birds and, partly due to that, I think most are happiest with a cagemate. I didn't mention a cockatiel to you yesterday because I don't like the thought of a single one at home alone all day. Just my bias. This pair might be a great find for you if they are tame and healthy enough to not endanger your lovie. But there are many things to consider, and the reasons some people give for wanting to rehome a bird are not always fully honest. Please be very careful for the sakes of both your aging baby and your own tender heart, but my fingers are crossed that this works out beautifully.

You ask good questions. The female is 2, the male a few months & reportedly picked up all the female's words and sounds in just a few weeks. The owner was adamant that they go to a loving home & that she could visit occasionaly & take care of them if their new owner goes away. She has twin toddlers (came along after the female) & can't give them enough time. She is asking a nominal rehoming fee to "keep the labs away" & says she will keep them is she can't find the right home, including a promise to seek veterinary care should it ever be needed. I would not take them until my Buddy is gone. Nor before I met them. I have considered cockatiels before but have never had one. There is a video of the female dancing on utube that I watched & she seemed very cute. I may be jumping the gun since I just read the posting & replied, but haven't heard from the owner yet. My heart is telling me this is a good thing for 2 birds and 2 people--I hope, I hope. My one concern is that I have heard male cockatiels are pretty loud. Is that true if they get lots of attention & have a birdie friend?

A happy male cockatiel is no louder than a wild bird greeting the day. If the wild birds' morning calls bother your neighbors, a cockatiel might also. Some people live to gripe and you'd be easier to report than God or Mother Nature. The bigger problem, I'd think, is how you'll deal with their eggs. If keeping eggs from hatching offends you ethically, you might want to steer clear of a male/female cockatiel pair b/c they WILL want to make babies, and baby cockatiels would not be a good idea.

Our cockatiel is quiet, most of the time. But she will shriek a flock call if we're around and she thinks she's being left out of something fun. She really is a sweet bird and always wants to be with us (she has sat on my husband's shoulder while he built things with power tools perfectly content to watch him). She loves getting scratches and cannot bite hard enough to injure anyone. Although she rarely really tries to bite.

RE: not letting eggs hatch. I could handle that. I'm a guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (where my favorite exhibit is, of course, the aviary) so I understand to the need to not let eggs hatch. It makes me sad, but I understand. The aquarium staff give the birds wooden eggs to sit on so they don't immediately lay another clutch. Do people do this with cockatiels? I still haven't heard back from the cockatiel mom. Guess with toddler twins she can't check her Email as often as I do!

Bubblelady wrote: The female is 2, the male a few months & reportedly picked up all the female's words and sounds in just a few weeks.

How sure is this lady that the 2 year old is a female????
If she is saying words and making lots of sounds my guess is she could be male.............
So than you won't need to worry about eggs at least