Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!world!rmura From: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: INDOOR - Novice questions about pet birds Message-ID: Date: 11 Dec 90 17:05:01 GMT References: <1990Dec10.190648.13702@cbnewsj.att.com> Sender: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura) Organization: The World Lines: 65 In-Reply-To: donnelly@cbnewsj.att.com's message of 10 Dec 90 19:06:48 GMT yIn article <1990Dec10.190648.13702@cbnewsj.att.com> donnelly@cbnewsj.att.com (jeffrey.m.donnelly) writes: > > We want a bird who will know and show affection for us and seek the same > from us. From our research, cockatiels seem to fit this general description. > > 1. Is a cockatiel a good match for inexperienced bird owners. Are they > hard to care for? Not really, but in general people underestimate the amount of care that a pet will require. If it gets ill, for example, you may have to force-feed medicine into its beak twice a day for weeks, even months. (This is true of most birds, not just cockatiels.) > 2. The bird would be alone during the day M-F. Is this bad for the bird > I.e would it be cruel to leave it alone 9 hours a day? Probably not cruel, but not ideal either. They are social creatures and like company. If you have to leave it alone, consider leaving a radio on. > 3. Do cockatiels like a cage or would it rather live an a larger enclosed > area? Friends from way back owned a large parrot. They had a natural > like setting in the corner in their living room with rope netting as > a boundary. Would a bird love this? Yes, it would like an open area or very large cage. Watch out for windows and mirrors, which inexperienced or frightened birds may fly into. Also, some birds gnaw wood or even electrical cords. > 4. Do they need consistent daytime/nighttime hours? Would the bird rather > be with us in the living room at night while we watch tv or read or would > it rather sleep in the dark in the evening? A matter of discussion. I think they do need consistent hours from day to day, but that 12 hours of darkness are not required. I've read that young birds need more sleep, so they shouldn't be allowed to stay up late with you; don't know if that is true or not. > 5. What age bird should we look to get? I'm looking for a lower and upper > bound. Any specific things to look out for? (like never get one with > glossy eyes cause its sick) If you want it to bond with you, a young bird is probably easier, unless the bird is already tame of course. I would watch out for a bird with any discharge around the cere/nose. Loose droppings are often a bad sign. Tail bobbing is a sign a respiratory distress in parakeets; I'm not sure if that is also true of cockatiels. > 6. Lastly, where's the best place to get a bird? Mall, breeder...? > If you live in south New Jersey (monmouth/ocean) what bird stores are good? > Have you heard about "Bird Jungle"? I would avoid pet stores, especially the chain stores (even if you get a healthy bird from them, many use inhumane practices). I would try a breeder. If there is an avian vet in your area, you could ask for recommendations. Actually, my first choice (since I wouldn't mind an older bird) would be an animal shelter. They don't get as many birds as other pets, but they let you handle them, etc., to see if there is "a fit" and you help a creature that few people want. One other thing: always give your bird vegetables--fresh ones every day. -- - Ron Mura, Boston, Mass. rmura@world.std.com