Where Should You Buy Your Pet Cockatiel

When considering where to get your cockatiel, as with any pet, I always recommend adoption first. If there are any bird rescue organizations in your area, adopting one of these birds could be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life (and of course, the bird's). Some of these birds were given up by people who for one reason or another couldn't care for them anymore. Some were taken out of homes where they were abused and neglected. For whatever reason they found themselves rescued, giving these birds a second chance would be a very rewarding experience. A little extra love and patience and you'll have a wonderful pet bird that will thank you in his own way for the rest of his life. You might find a bird rescue organization online or check your local animal shelter.

Buying your cockatiel can be as easy as walking into a pet store and picking one out and bringing it home. If this is your preferred method, that's fine. Just make sure you purchase from a reputable store. Look around. Is it clean? Are the cages clean? Is there adequate room in the cages for the number of birds kept? Is the water and food clean? Are there toys accessible to the birds? Do the workers in the store pay attention to the birds, taking them out of the cage and talking to them? Make a few trips to the store so you can see what goes on at different times. This may sound a bit much but you don't want to buy a bird that has been sitting in a cage for who knows how long with no human contact. It will make your job of socializing the bird extremely difficult.

When I bought my first bird, I was a complete novice. Fortunately, I walked into the pet store and the employee was sitting at the front counter talking to a cockatiel perched on his finger. I didn't even know that birds could be so sociable (or beautiful). He gladly passed the bird to me and it was love at first sight. He gave me loads of information about my new friend and caring for him. I knew that if I purchased a bird from this store I would get a bird who was used to people and was raised with care and attention. Not to mention the employees were always available for my questions and concerns whether on the phone or in person.

Alternatively, you might want to find a cockatiel breeder. You can look up breeders in your area online. If there is one in your area, take the same steps as you would in a pet store and look around to get a feel of the place. You want to make sure the breeder is raising these birds for his or her love of them and not just to make a profit. The breeder should be interested in you as a buyer and willing to give you the answers to all of your questions. After all, if he cares about the birds he is raising, he will want to make sure you have every intention to do the best you can for your new pet.

If you have no breeders in the area, never, ever have a bird shipped through the mail. No animal or bird should go through the mail. Even if the bird survives, it will likely be traumatized for life. There is no reason to ever ship any living thing in the mail or through and delivery service.