New addition to our family.

Frank Z

Since my son is allergic to dogs and cats.....

introducing Spaz

We got him about 2 weeks ago, he's approx. 9-12 months old. He's still getting used to us so he'll peck a bit, but the kids love 'em.

audiobliss

Cool. He certainly looks neat. Never really been around birds much, (except the ones that leave their mark on my car....errrr).

What's he do? lol

Frank Z

Cleans himself often, sings a bit. Loves to eat sunflower seeds.

audiobliss

Sounds entertaining and healthy. Awesome.

Does he have a favorite genre?

disneyjoe7

He does look healthy, he would need to be around my CAT

Frank Z

He seems to be partial to Jazz.;)

janmike

Is he a long tailed cockatiel? I like the name.

Frank Z

Yes he is.

janmike

Nice. I almost bought one years ago (White-Crested Cockatoos that is) but being on my own years ago and travelling a lot I fear the worst - the little guy being alone for long periods of time. My understanding is that the entire cockatoo family of birds require companionship. Anyway, nice bird.

Frank Z

I've read that too.

disneyjoe7

Zero wrote:

although his favorite tune was the Andy Griffith theme..

That could be a little in-site of Zero here (he likes the Andy Griffith show);)

dorokusai

I feel sorry for that bird's ears.

dragon1952

Pretty bird.....pretty bird.....awkkkk

steveinaz

Cockatiels are great, he'll talk if you keep talking to him. They're very intelligent.

Don't put him near the kitchen (teflon pans give off an odorless gas that kills birds). handle him often and he'll remain very social. Be careful of cieling fans (personal experience) when he's out of the cage. It's an easy thing to forget...

My cockatiel was named Spike (because he had an attitude problem sometimes), and he talked like crazy. Lived 13 years, too.

schwarcw

Congrats Frank! Birds make wonderful pets, they will amaze you with their intelligence and personsalities!

Holydoc

Cockatiels are very social birds. I would avoid placing a mirror or another bird anywhere near him. By depriving him of those items, it will cause him to become more dependent on you and be very affectionate.

Also watch your son for a couple days to be sure that his allergies do not include the dust produced by the cockatiel. Part of the attraction of the cockatiel and cockatoos is the fact that they have a layer of dust covering their feathers that protect them from water. This dust makes them very soft to the touch. However this dust flies everywhere when they flap thus getting on everything which can play hell to allergies.

Finally I recommend trimming the feathers of the wings to prevent flight. Serious injury can happen to your new family member if he hits a window, mirror, or fan during flight. They are very delicate and can break their necks easily.

I owned serveral birds. My cockatiel named Archie lived 19 years and was with me through high school, college, and then my career move. He was very gentle, loved everyone, and even starred in the TV show "America's Most Wanted" where he was the "stand-in" for a cockatiel that was stolen from a tattoo parlor by a man who was later captured because of the cockatiel.

At college he would run around the dorm eating rice and other things off of everyone's plates while rubbing his head on any person's hand that would scratch it. Heck I even had to loan him out on Sat nights for [ahem] date bait.

Enjoy your new family member. They can be a blast.

KCD

Frank, beautiful bird! Ahhhh... where do ya ahhhh... install the speakers? One under each wing? I don't even wanna know 'bout the disc player.

We just got a new puppy. All we have to do is have her fixed. No after makert add ons - thank god! Spaz is a Darlin'! Many long years of life and happiness!

cindy100

HolyDoc,

I agree with you about the feather dust. In addition to 2 smaller parrots, I also have 5 cockatiels, 1 cockatoo and that dust is a pain. In my opinion, lots of good advice has been given. I do hope it works out for Frank Z & his little boy; I've never had an allergy problem but know they can be a pain to deal with and especially for a small child. I'd also hate to see the bird have to go to yet another new home.

Cindy

dragon1952

Spaz looks like he's blushing!

brettw22

Aside from teh dust, the dander feels waxy. A friend of mine had a bird that he let pretty much roam everywhere and it just seemed like the place was coated in a fine layer of wax........

Demiurge

Nice bird, does he do flips?