| I am no expert, i am speaking from experience. |
| Parakeets/Budgies/Cockatiels- easiest to care for as far as birds are concerned. Can be trained to sit on your shoulder or finger. Can learn to talk with ALOT of patience. (but can only say a few words like "pretty bird" their name, good morning..simple things. and it sounds "birdie") Parakeets can live up to 10 years, Tiels can live up to 15 years, as long as they are kept in a warm place with no drafts. (I keep mine between 70-74 degrees F.) IF you have the time to spend with the bird (a few hours a day) a mirror in the cage or second bird is NOT recommended. If you don't have time for the bird and don't care if he/she talks or not, a mirror or second bird is recommended. You can tell age and sex on a Parakeet easily... If the cere (the birds "nose") is blue..it is a boy. If it is any other color (tan, brown, purple, Pinkish-white) it is a girl. Age is a factor in sexing a bird. If the bird has lots of stripes on their head, they are 2-3 months old, and too young to sex( I had what I thought was 3 girls...turns out to be 2 boys and a girl). The less stripes the older the bird. Sex of a cockatiel is easy as well. BRIGHT yellow face is a boy...dull yellow/color of the body is a female. I am not sure how to tell an age on a tiel. Birds do like to sing/whistle, but they are not the loudest of the birds. One is perfect for a beginner. To clip or not to clip....(wings that is) IF you have any other pet in the house I strongly suggest NOT to clip wings. Other pets, mirrors, windows,ceiling fans are birds worst enemy. Birds with clipped wings need you to get them around therefore will cling to you as transportation. Cage size- Make sure the bird can flap his wings without touching either side of the cage. There is no such thing as too big of a cage. They like toys, and their fav. treat is millet. What is a Blood Feather? All birds have a vein that runs through their wings that if they pull on it, it will bleed, and bleed ALOT. IT WILL NOT STOP BLEEDING ON THEIR OWN. Either get "quik stop" or use flour and water mix and put it on their birds wing, (or toe from nail clipping) It will stop bleeding and is ok if the bird cleans it. The longer the bird stands on one kind of perch the likely he/she will get arthritis. (yes they can get that) Check out different types of perches available. Most birds when they come home for the first time may not eat, drink or sing for the first 24-48 hours, do not be alarmed, it is normal. ALWAYS ASK THE STORE OR BREEDER THAT YOU GET THE BIRD FROM WHAT BRAND OF FOOD THE BIRD IS ALREADY ON...IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. |
| My 3 (l-r) Stevie, Harley and Levi |
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