Where Should You Buy A Cockatiel? (Updated: )
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
The Cockatiel is the second most popular bird kept as a pet in the United States, so if you're seeking to get one for your house, it's normal to have a number of questions, including where you should purchase it.
If you would want to learn more about these magnificent birds before you acquire one, continue reading "Where Should You Buy A Cockatiel?" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) as we examine numerous intriguing facts regarding their temperament and food as well as the best place to purchase them.
The 4 Tips in Preparing to Purchase Your Cockatiel
15 to 20 years is the average lifespan of a cockatiel, therefore you will need to mentally prepare yourself to care for your pet for that long. It will require food, a clean habitat, and a tranquil atmosphere.
As long as you are able to care for your pet, it will supply you with years of amusing companionship. It creates a range of sounds and can sometimes even imitate people, but it likes to whistle and will compose tunes or whistle songs it hears on television or the radio.
1. Set Up Your Budget
Once you are certain that you want a cockatiel, you must create a budget. We recommend saving up at least $300 to cover the initial purchase of the bird, initial habitat setup, food, and other supplies. You may also anticipate to spend between $100 and $250 year on your bird’s care, which includes an annual trip to the veterinarian.
2. Acquire Your Cage
Once you have saved enough money, you may purchase a cage. Most experts recommend a cage that is at least two feet wide, two feet deep, and two feet tall, but a larger cage will offer your pet with more comfortable space.
To prevent harm, the cage’s bars should be no more than 5/8″ apart, and it should include at least three perches. Because some cockatiels are terrified of the dark, it will also require a food and drink dish, a birdbath, and a light near its cage. Toys are the last thing you will need in your environment.
3. Buying your Cockatiel
Shelter or Rescue Group
Once you have prepared the cage, it is time to acquire a Cockatiel. One of the greatest locations to get a Cockatiel is from a local animal shelter or rescue group.
Typically, you may acquire your bird from these facilities at a substantial discount, and you will free up resources for other birds. Unfortunately, many cockatiels wind up in shelters because novice owners acquire them without considering the maintenance required.
This is our recommended method of acquiring a cockatiel, as their lack of planning affords you the opportunity to save money.
Pet Store or Breeder
If you want to buy a cockatiel, you may also search for a reliable breeder or pet store. You may discover more about the quality of the birds offered by pet stores in your region by conducting a little research.
You may join a variety of Facebook groups and online forums to converse with other bird enthusiasts in your region who can advise you which breeders and pet stores to avoid and who offers the highest quality birds at the lowest costs.
4. Other Advice
- Choose a Cockatiel with vibrant colors and robust feathers.
- Choose a bird that is active, communicative, and willing to be handled.
- Look for Cockatiels with clear eyes, no beak discharge, and no sneezing, as these symptoms may suggest an ill bird. Additionally, we advise avoiding the other birds, since they may also be harmful.
- Avoid birds with feather damage.
- Avoid timid birds, as they may never feel at ease with humans.
- Always enquire about the age of the bird, and select a young bird that has already been weaned. Remember that a bird’s beak becomes darker as it ages.
- Allow your Cockatiel two or three days to acclimate to its new environment before attempting to handle it.
Conclusion
We strongly suggest acquiring your next Cockatiel from your local animal shelter, especially if this is your first bird. Purchasing one of these birds from the animal shelter will save a life and free up resources for other animals.
However, certain pet stores provide excellent discounts, and if you choose this option, you may often obtain a younger bird. These creatures can be high maintenance since they defecate regularly and make a mess of their cage, requiring constant cleaning.
Additionally, it produces quite an amount of noise, which might take some time to get accustomed to, but once you do, they build a close link with you and are wonderful companions. Its entertaining demeanor and ability to reproduce noises it hears will keep you fascinated. It may even learn to imitate your speech.
We hope you liked reading “Where Should You Buy A Cockatiel?” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) and that we were able to address your questions.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Comment
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.