Author Topic: House Birds (Read 653 times)

magdalena · « **on:** July 27, 2012, 12:04:14 AM »

I'm interested in getting a bird, or two birds, for living with me in my home. Does anyone know what kind of birds are preferable? When I was little, we had a parakeet. I often hear about love birds being nice to have in the home. Is it better to have one bird, or two? And what kind of care do they entail? Does anyone have one in their home? Tell me what kind you have, and how you like them. Thanks!

Marlelar · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2012, 08:44:16 PM »

I love my birds! Although I've never had love birds my friend did and they don't make friends with humans as easily as cockatiels. We've had 4 cockatiels and 4 parakeets and hands down the cockatiels are the friendliest. They will be friendlier if you just get them one at a time and bond with them. Don't keep odd numbers for long though, they bond together and the odd man out might be bullied by the other two. You can clip their wings part way very easily so they can't fly very well in the house but I used to let them grow out after a while because I loved to see them flying around the house. But keep bedroom/bathroom doors closed or you will find them in the oddest places, they are curious and not very bright...

My son used to be able to sit in his room in the back of the house and whistle for his bird who could fly at Mach 2 around corners, down halls to land on his head (my son's head that is, not the bird's :)

I'm down to only one bird now and he rides around on my shoulder all day long (tea towel over the shoulder :), He can sing the first the first few bars of Beethoven's 5th and also the theme to the Andy Griffith show :)

Cockatiels are very social birds and don't do well left in a cage all day, they get lonely and will SCREAM for attention. If you just want birds for the "music" get finches, they don't seem to care about being caged up, most other birds do not thrive being locked up all day.

Marsha
(the crazy bird lady:)

magdalena · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2012, 09:43:54 PM »

Marsha,
Thanks for replying! I'd love a cockatiel. But I work outside the home, so I'm gone from 6 to 3:30. :sad: Can't help it, I live alone. If I have two, will they keep each other company until I get home? The parakeet we had when I was little was pretty independent. He didn't seem to care much whether we were around or not. He would sit on my dad's shoulder while he played the piano. I'm really excited about it. I have a wren house outside, but I miss those noisy little ones when they're away. I guess "caging a bird" will make him/her stay!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2012, 12:16:40 AM »

I LOVE birds. Parakeets are really easy to keep and they are very sweet and dear little creatures. Two at a time is good; they become best friends if they come home together. They live for a long time. They are kind of messy, but they don't smell bad or anything. If you get them young and hand feed them they become very docile. I bet the little finches are lots of fun, too.

There are so many stories of saints being assisted by birds. Best of luck, Magdalena.

Marlelar · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2012, 10:01:53 AM »

Yes, Cockatiels will keep each other company. They are fine to be alone during "normal" working hours although you'll need to leave a radio on for them as silence means "danger" to a bird and they will start plucking their own feathers when under stress. I just meant they don't do well for days on end locked up in a cage all alone, although I have left mine over a weekend with extra cups of seed and water and they are fine (with the radio left on). Some people buy birds thinking they are "ornaments" to be left in a cage and admired but most are quite social and enjoy human companionship. My cockatiel loves to have his head rubbed and is a carb addict; he loves bread, pasta, rice, and even pizza, when he sees something he likes he's on it like a flash.

Yes, I AM nutty about my birds... Before we started keeping birds about 14 years ago I never new they had personalities! And they are much easier than a cat or dog; although I do love other peoples cats and dogs I just don't want them myself.

If you don't clip their wings you must be very careful when going out a door as they will head for it in a flash. When my son was 10 yo his bird got out and he had to climb 30 feet up a tree to retrieve a very frightened bird.

Feel free to PM me off-list if you want to.

Marsha