Adopting a New Friend

Miss Prissy has told you that we adopted a cockatiel, and I'm glad that she enjoys his company. If it had just been myself, I would have probably waited quite a while before thinking about getting a new feathered friend, but I was very worried about Miss Prissy. She has never been without another cockatiel in her life, and I knew that after a few days looking for J.L., she would probably get sad and depressed. The Cool One said the same thing; he told me that she would need a new companion, the sooner, the better.

A while ago, J.L. compiled a list of links on adopting a bird, which was very helpful. I did not want to buy a bird from a store, because there are too many birds who are in need of a good home, and I hoped to find a rescue bird. Petfinder.com was especially useful in compiling a list of tiels. When I checked, there were 198 cockatiels in the U.S. and Canada looking for good homes.

However, none of them were in my state. The closest one was over 300 miles away. The local rescues did not have any tiels, and even if they had, I would have had to go through a lengthy application process. I would not have minded doing that, of course, and I commend the rescues for checking applicants so thoroughly to make sure the bird has a good forever home. In my case, though, time was of the essence; Miss Prissy needed a new companion right away, and there was no way she would have made it through a 4-6 week waiting period.

So I checked the local newspaper. Sometimes, tiels outlive their owners, and nobody in the family can or wants to keep them. Other times, an owner realizes cockatiels and not for him or her, or the family circumstances change and the owner feels that giving up the birds is the best option. I hoped that I would come across a tiel in these circumstances.

There was only one advertisement for cockatiels: 2 males, one pied, one pearl, handfed, for sale. I was still too upset to call, so the Cool One made the call for me. It turned out that the owner realized that cockatiels were not the right kinds of birds for her. She had bought the two thinking that they were a pair, but it turned out that they were both males. The pearl had already been sold, but the 15-month-old pied was still there.

The Cool One and I went there right away. The cage was in a basement room that did not get much natural sunlight. The little bird was happy to see people, and he got on the Cool One's hand right away. I picked him up and set him on my shoulder, and he preened my hair. It was clear that he was supposed to go home with me. He enjoyed the ride in the car, looking around and basking in the sunlight, and he responded with melodic chirps to every new sound.

Both he and Miss Prissy had been used to sharing a cage with another bird before, so they got along right away without any animosity. They checked each other out and then went about their own business around the cage. He started eating birdseed right away, and he was fascinated by the honey treat and the millet spray. Of course, it will take a while for them to get acquainted. Miss Prissy is still looking for J.L., and she will probably continue to do that for some time. But she has a feathered friend, and she won't be alone.

The little bird got plenty of interaction right away. I picked him up several times and let him climb around on me, and the Cool One came over a few times to play with him as well. Our new friend is very interested in all the sounds and sights he is now exposed to. He chirps at birds outside, listens to the dogs barking, makes a melodic sound every time I pass by his cage, and vocalizes every time the phone rings. I don't think he got a lot of attention or stimulation in that basement, but since he was hand-fed, had a buddy, and spent less than a year there, he was not traumatized like LeMone had been. I am glad the owner realized relatively quickly that she was not the right match for the tiels; that way, he and his buddy had a chance at getting a good home.

I know that usually, a new bird should be quarantined for quite a while before being introduced to the bird(s) at home, but in this case, it was not an option. Miss Prissy would not have lasted that long alone, so I had to take that chance. Besides, the little one and his friend were basically quarantined in the basement for a year, so I was pretty sure he was free from disease. I do think, though, that if a bird comes from a place with many other birds, or if you have many birds at home and are going to introduce a new one, quarantine is the best choice.
J.L.'s passing greatly upset me, not only because I lost my best feathered friend, but also because it happened when it did. Since cockatiels have a life span of 15 years or more, and since he appeared to have died of natural causes when it was his time, I realized that he was probably much older than I had thought. That means that he spent much more time than I thought in a bad situation, or in many bad situations. No wonder he was so distrustful when I first got him! I wish the breeder and/or owner(s) had taken the time and made the effort to make sure he had a good home.

The reason so many birds are in need of a good home is that too many people don't take the time to find out what it takes to take care of them. Many also don't realize how long pet birds can live, and they don't understand they need to be prepared to take care of the bird for 15, 20, 30, or even more years, depending on the kind of bird. Too many birds end up neglected or passed from one home to another. Pet birds, especially parrots (and cockatiels are part of the parrot family), need plenty of attention and interaction. Feeding them and putting a few toys in the cage is not enough. They need time with their humans, and they need a stimulating environment. Based on my experience with J.L. and Miss Prissy, I also believe they need at least one companion of their own species.

If you would like to own a bird, or any kind of pet, you should research its needs carefully and see if your lifestyle is a good match in the long run. The pet store should be your last stop; you should check shelters and rescue organizations first, then the newspaper, and then breeders. J.L. wrote several posts about pet adoption, with things to look for and questions to ask, and I agree with his recommendations. He was one smart little bird!

As I'm typing this, Miss Prissy is on my desk looking for J.L. in his hiding spots, and our new little friend is preening on my shoulder, getting used to his new life. I'm not quite ready to name him yet, but in time, I will. The important thing is that Miss Prissy won't be alone, and that the little tiel found a good home. We will keep you updated!

New Award And More Bird Rescue Links

I'm very happy to tell you that my blog has won another award! This one is from the nice people at www.parrotphotos.us .

Remember how a little while ago, I posted an article with links about adopting birds? Lynne from www.parrotphotos.us e-mailed me several other links, along with this very true message:

It is important for people to understand that there are a lot of "throw away" birds out there - particularly the smaller ones - in need of homes and sitting in shelters waiting for a loving home. Usually it is not the BIRD that is the problem, but the people who impulse buy them who do not do their homework and come to understand how to properly care for them.

So, here are the additional links for finding a fine-feathered friend in need of a good home:

http://www.mickaboo.org/our-birds/all-small.html (I posted a link to Mickaboo previously, but this one lists the birds currently available for adoption.)
http://avianwelfare.org/issues/homelessness.htm
http://www.avianwelfare.org/issues/marketing.htm
http://www.avianwelfare.org/issues/sheltering.htm
http://www.secondchancebirds.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=184

Thank you for the award and the information, Lynne!

One Tiel or Two?

One Tiel...

Now that you've decided to get a tiel, you are probably wondering whether it's best to get just one cockatiel or two. People say that one cockatiel may bond very well to one person, whereas two cockatiels usually bond to each other, leaving the human somewhat left out. On the other hand, cockatiels like company, and if their humans are gone all day, they will be lonely.

Personally, I enthusiastically endorse the idea of getting two tiels. I liked being with the Tall One alright, but she does not have feathers and is gone most of the day. Once Miss Prissy moved in, I was much happier. We share the same cage, preen each other, and we even bond with the Tall One together. As a matter of fact, I spend more time with our human now, because Miss Prissy adores her and likes to sit on her head or shoulders, and of course I go where Miss Prissy goes. The Tall One and I have gotten along much better since my feathered friend moved in. I was lucky, though; Miss Prissy is very easygoing, and we liked each other right away. If that had not been the case, the Tall One might have had to put us in separate cages, so it really depends on how well the two tiels get along.



These, of course, are my own experiences. Here are some articles about the topic that will give you some more information:

Double the Trouble or Double the Fun? Keeping Birds in Twos. By Winged Wisdon Pet Bird Magazine, June 1998.

An Only Bird Is a Lonely Bird. By R.R. Holster/PetStation

Should I Get a Second Cockatiel? By Mary Beth Voelker, National Cockatiel Society, 1998.



... or Two?

Buying a Healthy Cockatiel

Just to make sure you are really prepared for the responsibility of serving a cockatiel, here is another link that will help you consider the implications:
Considering a Pet Bird? Ask Yourself These Seven Critical Questions. By Simon Blake at petboro.com.

Following is a list of very useful links for choosing a pet bird in general and/or a cockatiel in particular. As a cockatiel, I can only base my judgment on my own experiences, and these links seem very good to me, but of course I cannot guarantee that the humans who wrote these articles got all their information right. I hope they make your search for a cockatiel companion easier!

* Introduction to Cockatiels. By Susan Hahn. This brief article contains a description of cockatiel characteristics and what to consider when selecting a bird.

* How to Buy a Cockatiel by e-how.com. This is a brief 9-step guide. It provides useful introductory information. However, you should read several of the information provided in the following links for more specifics.

* Procuring the Right Bird for You -- the Right Way. Information provided by Dr. Jill M. Patt, DVM. "Procuring" is a fancy word, just right for us fancy birds. This is probably my favorite article on the topic of getting a bird, because it is packed with information. It includes questions to ask yourself, and information and links about bird adoption, which the author and I both recommend over purchasing a bird. In addition, it provides information about the advantages and disadvantages of buying from private parties, breeders, and pet stores.

* Choosing Your Bird. By Parrots Canada, 2000. This article covers pretty much anything that a prospective first bird buyer needs to know, including how to start looking, whether to buy from a breeder or pet store, hand raised babies and weaning, personality, lifesapan, noise level, price, signs of a sick bird, and much more. If children live in the house, the "if you have children, read this" section is especially helpful.

* Buying a Cockatiel. This page provides a comprehensive overview for the first time cockatiel buyer, including a description of our personality, a checklist to see if you are the right kind of person for a tiel, tips on choosing a male or female, one bird or a pair, buying a tiel and a suitable cage, and information on cockatiel bands.

* Purchasing a First Bird Companion. By Pamela L. West, Birds and Ways: Winged Wisdom Pet Bird E-zine, 2001. This article descibes the different options for buying a pet bird: professional breeders, hobbyists, and commercial pet shops. It also includes a list of questions to ask if buying from a pet store.

* Ask and You Shall Receive: Buying a Quality Pet Bird. By Anne Jackson, Birds and Ways: Winged Wisdom Pet E-zine, 1997. This article includes useful lists of questions to ask when buying a bird, including general information and questions as well as questions about diet, health, and care and questions specific for the bird you might select.

* The A, B, Cs and 1, 2, 3s of Bird Buying by Wanda Elder, Birds n Ways, 1997. This article includes a useful list for questions to ask of breeders, exhibitors, and private sellers. I find the questions to ask about older birds especially important.

* Before You Purchase Your New Bird. By Donna Mason, 1997. This page includes three checklists that are very useful when considering a bird for purchase: a health checklist, a list of questions to ask, and a list of basic needs of your new bird.

* Finding a Good Pet Store. By Becky Taylor. This article describes what to look for when choosing a pet store.

* Healthy Cockatiels, by my friend Eleanor McCaffrey at Cockatiel Cottage. This very beautiful page includes information on how to tell if a cockatiel is healthy, including a detailed checklist.

* Inspecting and Choosing a Healthy Bird. By Geoffrey and Barbara Gould, Parrot Preservation Society, 1993. This article describes how to select a bird from a breeder, including questions to ask.

* National Cockatiel Society Bird Checklist. By Dr. Vanessa Rolfe, DVM, 1997. This is a very brief list of the essential items you need to make your cockatiel feel at home. I will post more articles on taking care of your tiel soon!

If you know of any other useful links on this topic, please leave them under "Comments"!

Adopting a Cockatiel

Now, if you have decided that you are the right type of human for a cockatiel, your next question is, of course, how to find one. There are many tiels out there who, like moi at the time, have been abandoned by people who did not understand their needs. Others may have had caring humans who passed away. These tiels are in need of a home that is worthy of them, and if you are in a position to provide it, you should.

Luckily, there are many caring humans who dedicate their time to helping animals find good homes. Being a cockatiel, of course, I have not been in a situation where I needed to find an animal to adopt, so I cannot guarantee how well the following services work, but they certainly will give you a place to start.

If you live in the USA, a good place to check is petfinder.com. You can search not only for cockatiels, but also for other types of birds and other animals, such as dogs, cats, reptiles, and even pigs! All you need to do is select what kind of animal you are looking for, along with your ZIP code, and a list of animals will pop up. Many of them even have pictures.

Here is a list of Bird Rescues and Sanctuaries in different countries. States in the USA are listed first. Scroll further down for Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Panama, the Netherlands, or the United Kingdom.

The Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue has a Reading Room where you can find answers to frequently asked questions and some information on avian care, dangers in the home, symptoms of illness, and other topics. If you live in California, you can check their site for cockatiels and other birds that are up to adoption, and you can even attend free bird care classes! I wish all humans got training before taking in a cockatiel, or any other creature for that maatter.

If you have any other cockatiel, bird, or animal rescue links, please post them under "Comments" below. I will keep my eyes open for more cockatiel adoption information.

Adopting a Pet

Remember how a while ago, we had a conversation about how to tell whether or not a human is suitable to take care of a cockatiel or another animal? Now, if you are a human and you've decided that you are not worthy of a cockatiel at this time, but that you would like to adopt a cat or dog, here's a list of very informative articles on what you should do.

That's all I can help you with; why anybody would want to live in the same house with a dangerous feline or canine that might rip a pretty bird's feathers out is beyone me, but I know that my buddy CC-Man owns a poodle, and everything seems to be going well, so maybe I'm biased. Anyway, congratulations and good luck!

If you found you are the right human for a beautiful bird, here is a short article to help you decide which type of bird you are suitable for: Which Is the Right Bird for Me?. This will get you started.

Naturally, you have come to the right place for links to all kinds of good bird information, beak-picked by a winged writer, so keep checking back here for more!

Au revoir!

So, You Want to Be Owned By a Cockatiel?

After reading my blog and looking at the beautiful pictures, you probably cannot imagine living your life without a cockatiel in it. If you already have the privilege to be owned by a cockatiel, congratulations! If not, I am certain you have only one question on your mind: How do I become a member of this elite group of humans?

That, however, is the wrong question, at least for the moment. You need to ask yourself: Am I worthy of this honor? You see, my former humans were smitten by my good looks and beautiful voice, but they did not know how to properly take care of me, and they did not care enough to learn. I don't think it was an accident that both the cage door and the house door were open at the same time. I shudder to think what would have happen to me, had it not been for the Cool One to rescue me and give me a good home with the Tall One.

Maybe you are the right person for a cockatiel. Maybe you even have a calling to be one of the select few who rescue many birds. But it is also possible that you are more suitable for a different type of bird or even a different kind of pet. Some people are not good with animals, even though they may have other talents. Taking in a pet does not make a person a good human; making the right decision does.

So, you need to ask yourself: How much time and space do you have, not only at this moment, but over a span of years or even decades? What kind of environment are you willing and able to provide? Do you have enough money for supplies and vet care? Who will take your place if you have to be gone for a while? Do you have any health conditions that will keep you from serving a certain type of pet, for example allergies? Once you have answered these questions, you will be able to decide if you would be suitable for fish, a hamster, a cat, a dog, a bird, or even the most wonderful of all: a cockatiel.

The Humane Society has a good article about deciding whether you are worthy of opening your home to a companion animal, and if yes, which kind. These are the humans who know; they try to place homeless animals every day. If you are at all considering this rewarding responsibility, please make sure you read the article carefully. Also, if you have links to other good web sites on this topic, please post them under "Comments".

Merci!