In The Netherlands, there is this myth that basically everyone thinks cockatiels need to be kept in pairs of male + female. They think same sex doesn't work... Which puts all those females through egg laying and such. People are so ignorant of how much energy that costs. They believe they /need/ nests... pfff. We started with male + female unintentionally (thought they were two females) and discovered the female is just really a bird that will do well in large flocks, while the male was really a 'human' bird. So we let her go to a home that fit her much more (bigger flock, more space to fly) and got a little male guy who fits well with our other male :) If you put the energy in it it's so rewarding to see them enjoy themselves. The male we already had only started headbobbing for the first time after he got bonded to the new male. We doubled everything just like you said, both in their outside and inside cage n_n
Great video David. I got a second green cheek and at first the two did not get along. They are now great friends and have remained bonded to me. They have their own cages and when they are out they spend time in each others space with no difficulties. I still supervise them closely!
Great video, David. One myth I heard when I considered getting another tiel was that the bird I already have will still love me, but the other one will hate me 😂. Lol it kinda plays into your bonding myth. I have my girl Sunny; loveable, clingy, chatter box. And now my girl Luna; snuggly, semi independent (she likes doing and discovering things herself, but knows her limits when she needs mommy lol), quiet. Both girls have a good connection and get along well until it comes to who's shoulder is who's on mommy 😂 with moments like that though, they just 'ahh' at each other and switch spots lol
I have 9 cage free cockatiels in their own room. Then have a parakeet down the hallway in my son's room. They talk to eachother unseen all day and every so often I take the parakeet to their room in the travel cage and they check eachother out and talk some more. I feel bad that he can only talk with the flock and not interact much. I did not intend to have this many birds.
I think the one concern that I have is housing new and old birds together. I see pairs of GCC and cockatiels getting along just fine together and living together, but there are others who say that this is a recipe for disaster.
Thats true, it should always be judged on the individual situation and personalities involved! This video is more about countering the generalised myths!
Hi David, firstly I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending so much love to you both at this difficult time. I just wanted to ask what cages you would recommend for 2 birds? I’m ideally looking for one that has an optional divider in the middle that I can put down if my boys are squabbling and need some time out from each other. They are such good friends now and currently have their own cages. However, recently I’ve noticed they keep going in to each other’s cages and falling asleep sitting close together. When they are put back in their own cages, they sit right by the bars, as close to each other as they can get. This makes me think I should get them a new cage that they can share, but worried they’ll argue and want space from each other sometimes. Any tips or recommendations would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.
I have a pair of cockatiels, both bonded with me, but are a bit weird with each other. They don't preen or mate with each other, but they are always perching close together, and like to explore the house together, if one loses sight of the other, they start scream calling, especially the male. Any tips on how to get them to be more "affectionate" with each other? Or should I just let them be that way without forcing anything.(I don't want them to lay eggs or anything they don't have a nest, just saddens me that they don't bow for preening to each other and stuff like that)
I think you're lucky already to have two peaceful birds that don't fight. Mine preen only one way. If the guy who always gets preened is forced to preen by the other, he pulls a feather out! You're lucky! :)
Id echo what others have said! Just let them be near to each other and do what they are comfortable with! The situation you describe isnt uncommon with cockatiels. They will want to be near/ be flock mates but nothing more! Our two cockatiels are just like that too!
You really need two at the very least. In my own view I'd say keeping such a bird alone is close to animal abuse. Get two who already know each other, that's even better! And allow them time to settle in for the first week or two even.
I have a solo GCC and she's just fine on her own as long as she gets lots of attention from us and shredding toys. She is the most lovable bird I have ever seen!! Definitely take the time to bond with your bird. We started very slowly . Sitting next to the cage and chatting to her. Gradually started offering her full stalks of millet and she'd take a bite or two and retreat. We gradually reduced the length of the millet until she got really comfortable with us near her. Didnt take long for her to jump in our hand. She loves to cuddle. Just gotta be careful to avoid cuddling in ways that might trigger hormonal behavior. David has lots of good videos to get you started. We are considering a second but she is perfectly happy with us alone as long as she gets wuite a bit of attention. I work from home so she's pretty spoiled. Enjoy!!!
@@diannthomas7849 Your bird is not scientific evidence and thus does not diminish the fact birds are flock animals and you, a completely different species, can never replace that. Of course she bonds a lot with you, she is LONELY.
@@kwiiin_ i agree , but let’s not act like all birds even want friends. Many owners get a second bird as a friend for the first, and they end up hating each other. The situation is nuanced.
I recently bought 2 budgerigars (2 males). I have no idea how to convince them to eat pellets. They have 2 separate food bowls, with a mix of pellets: Top's and Lafeber. The budgerigars would rather choose to stay hungry than eat the pellets. Do you have any tips for me?
Honestly, I wouldnt convert them onto pellets at all! Id work on getting them to eat veggies, sprouted and soaked items and then make them a healthy dry mix including grains etc for their evening feed!
I forgot that I have a second question about budgerigar behaviour. (Their names are Coco and Melon). Melon often flies back and forth in the cage while screaming. He does this almost all morning/afternoon. It looks like he's trying to escape. This makes Coco feel nervous and also starts to scream. Is this normal behaviour? I've had them for 5 days now.
It could be a few things, the most likely ones being agitation or attention seeking! Is the cage small? If so a larger one may help! Is there anything in the environment agitating him?
@@TheParrotTeacher Size of the cage: 76(L)x55(W)x90cm(H). I don't know yet what could be the cause, because they are startled by the smallest sounds. Can the screaming become less as they get used to their new environment?
The way you released this as soon as I decided to get a second bird. It's a sign
The fates have spoken!
In The Netherlands, there is this myth that basically everyone thinks cockatiels need to be kept in pairs of male + female. They think same sex doesn't work... Which puts all those females through egg laying and such. People are so ignorant of how much energy that costs. They believe they /need/ nests... pfff.
We started with male + female unintentionally (thought they were two females) and discovered the female is just really a bird that will do well in large flocks, while the male was really a 'human' bird. So we let her go to a home that fit her much more (bigger flock, more space to fly) and got a little male guy who fits well with our other male :) If you put the energy in it it's so rewarding to see them enjoy themselves. The male we already had only started headbobbing for the first time after he got bonded to the new male.
We doubled everything just like you said, both in their outside and inside cage n_n
I have heard that too about male/female pairings!
Im glad others are trying to bust it! Cockatiels get on just fine in same sex pairings!
Great video David. I got a second green cheek and at first the two did not get along. They are now great friends and have remained bonded to me. They have their own cages and when they are out they spend time in each others space with no difficulties. I still supervise them closely!
It can sometimes take a little while and effort for sure!
So glad they get on well now!
Great video, David. One myth I heard when I considered getting another tiel was that the bird I already have will still love me, but the other one will hate me 😂. Lol it kinda plays into your bonding myth. I have my girl Sunny; loveable, clingy, chatter box. And now my girl Luna; snuggly, semi independent (she likes doing and discovering things herself, but knows her limits when she needs mommy lol), quiet. Both girls have a good connection and get along well until it comes to who's shoulder is who's on mommy 😂 with moments like that though, they just 'ahh' at each other and switch spots lol
Haha they sound like a very cute pair!
I have 9 cage free cockatiels in their own room. Then have a parakeet down the hallway in my son's room. They talk to eachother unseen all day and every so often I take the parakeet to their room in the travel cage and they check eachother out and talk some more. I feel bad that he can only talk with the flock and not interact much. I did not intend to have this many birds.
It can sometimes get out of hand lol!
At least he gets some interactions with other birds even if they arent the same species!
Hi what’s a good size cage and recommended size cage for 2 cockatiels
Check out my cockatiel cage set up video for the one we use! (The latest one not the old one!)
I think the one concern that I have is housing new and old birds together. I see pairs of GCC and cockatiels getting along just fine together and living together, but there are others who say that this is a recipe for disaster.
Thats true, it should always be judged on the individual situation and personalities involved!
This video is more about countering the generalised myths!
Hi David, firstly I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending so much love to you both at this difficult time. I just wanted to ask what cages you would recommend for 2 birds? I’m ideally looking for one that has an optional divider in the middle that I can put down if my boys are squabbling and need some time out from each other. They are such good friends now and currently have their own cages. However, recently I’ve noticed they keep going in to each other’s cages and falling asleep sitting close together. When they are put back in their own cages, they sit right by the bars, as close to each other as they can get. This makes me think I should get them a new cage that they can share, but worried they’ll argue and want space from each other sometimes. Any tips or recommendations would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.
A large cage with plenty of space!
I have a pair of cockatiels, both bonded with me, but are a bit weird with each other. They don't preen or mate with each other, but they are always perching close together, and like to explore the house together, if one loses sight of the other, they start scream calling, especially the male. Any tips on how to get them to be more "affectionate" with each other? Or should I just let them be that way without forcing anything.(I don't want them to lay eggs or anything they don't have a nest, just saddens me that they don't bow for preening to each other and stuff like that)
just let them choose for themself
I think you're lucky already to have two peaceful birds that don't fight. Mine preen only one way. If the guy who always gets preened is forced to preen by the other, he pulls a feather out! You're lucky! :)
Id echo what others have said!
Just let them be near to each other and do what they are comfortable with!
The situation you describe isnt uncommon with cockatiels. They will want to be near/ be flock mates but nothing more!
Our two cockatiels are just like that too!
Hey mate I'll be getting a green cheek for my birthday on Friday and shall I leave him alone when I get him or do I try to build trust
Why not get two? Because birds are flock animals?
You really need two at the very least. In my own view I'd say keeping such a bird alone is close to animal abuse. Get two who already know each other, that's even better! And allow them time to settle in for the first week or two even.
I have a solo GCC and she's just fine on her own as long as she gets lots of attention from us and shredding toys. She is the most lovable bird I have ever seen!! Definitely take the time to bond with your bird. We started very slowly . Sitting next to the cage and chatting to her. Gradually started offering her full stalks of millet and she'd take a bite or two and retreat. We gradually reduced the length of the millet until she got really comfortable with us near her. Didnt take long for her to jump in our hand. She loves to cuddle. Just gotta be careful to avoid cuddling in ways that might trigger hormonal behavior. David has lots of good videos to get you started. We are considering a second but she is perfectly happy with us alone as long as she gets wuite a bit of attention. I work from home so she's pretty spoiled. Enjoy!!!
@@diannthomas7849 Your bird is not scientific evidence and thus does not diminish the fact birds are flock animals and you, a completely different species, can never replace that. Of course she bonds a lot with you, she is LONELY.
@@kwiiin_ i agree , but let’s not act like all birds even want friends. Many owners get a second bird as a friend for the first, and they end up hating each other. The situation is nuanced.
I recently bought 2 budgerigars (2 males). I have no idea how to convince them to eat pellets. They have 2 separate food bowls, with a mix of pellets: Top's and Lafeber. The budgerigars would rather choose to stay hungry than eat the pellets. Do you have any tips for me?
Honestly, I wouldnt convert them onto pellets at all!
Id work on getting them to eat veggies, sprouted and soaked items and then make them a healthy dry mix including grains etc for their evening feed!
@@TheParrotTeacher Thank you for your reply
I forgot that I have a second question about budgerigar behaviour. (Their names are Coco and Melon). Melon often flies back and forth in the cage while screaming. He does this almost all morning/afternoon. It looks like he's trying to escape. This makes Coco feel nervous and also starts to scream. Is this normal behaviour? I've had them for 5 days now.
It could be a few things, the most likely ones being agitation or attention seeking!
Is the cage small? If so a larger one may help! Is there anything in the environment agitating him?
@@TheParrotTeacher Size of the cage: 76(L)x55(W)x90cm(H).
I don't know yet what could be the cause, because they are startled by the smallest sounds. Can the screaming become less as they get used to their new environment?
How do you prevent breeding if they are a male and female pair?
Hormone management mostly!
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