Hello :) would you recommend a cockatiel as a first bird? What are they like/require? Thanks :)
I would! They make excellent first birds. I would actually recommend them over budgies (although I love budgies) because they are a bit more personable in my experience. They are fairly adaptable, sweet birds that are a bit easier to care for than bigger parrots. I would still do plenty of research before getting one, but cockatiels are definitely a good choice for first time bird owners.
I recommend checking out BirdChannel.com for some good articles and resources.
I actually have an article there that might help you out.
As for what they require, well a lot of things. They require things physically and emotionally. They need an appropriate sized cage, quality food, toys, cuttle bone, the list goes on. But they also need an owner that is willing to spend time with them every day. They may not be particularly difficult birds, but I wouldn’t underestimate them.
Make a list of everything your potential bird would need. Often times some stores have a checklist ready for new owners. There’s also a TON of info online.
Be prepared to spend quite a bit if you don’t have any materials already. The bird itself is around $100 depending on where you get it. As always, a breeder is recommended. A good cockatiel sized cage will likely cost in the neighborhood of $60-ish, plus all the food, perches, toys, etc the bird will need. I would be prepared to spend (and this is a rough estimate) around $250 or more to get everything you need to provide quality care for your new bird.
They make excellent first birds, but make sure you don’t consider them just “first birds.” Sometimes I feel like there’s this misconception (not that you are necessarily doing this) that “first bird” means “throw away” bird. Like people can use them to get some bird experience before moving on to a bigger parrot. This is really unfortunate, because nothing could be further from the truth! Easier doesn’t mean less important. Give a cockatiel a good home, and you’ll have a companion for 20 years or more. You will be the world to your bird, so you should love them just as much.
