Buy a book on Cockatiels, and read it from cover to cover. This article only covers the very basics, and you should be well prepared before making this commitment.

Before purchasing your bird, find out as much as you can about the breeder. You want to buy a Cockatiel from an established breeder with a good reputation. Ask around if you know other bird owners. If not, check a variety of breeders and stores. The facility should appear clean, and there should be no foul smell. The birds should be alert and active, and have plenty of room in their cages. Check to see if birds have discharge around their eyes, as this can be a sign of illness.

Things to Ask before you Buy

1- What food is the bird accustomed to eating? You will want to continue your bird on his regular diet. This should consist of seed and vegetables, or pellets which contain all the proper nutrients. Your bird will not receive all his nutrition on a seed only diet, and introducing a new food can be very difficult.

2- Has your Cockatiel learned to bathe? While books may tell you that Cockatiels enjoy being "spritzed", I found out the hard way that this is only true if the breeder began this practice. My first Cockatiel was scared to death of water, so I ended up using an attachable bath for his water, and allowing him to bathe himself.

3- Does the breeder offer a health guarantee? This is important as it's not always easy to tell if your bird is ill.

4- Was the Cockatiel hand fed? Has he been weaned? This is important. A hand fed bird will be used to interaction with people, and will adapt to your household much easier. Unless you are an experienced bird owner, you will want to purchase only a weaned bird.

5- Does the bird have its wings clipped and nails trimmed? For safety reasons, most bird owners choose to have the wings clipped regularly. While a flying bird is a beautiful sight, it can also be dangerous. Common household areas such as the stove, toilets, cleaners, and plants can be dangerous and even deadly for your bird.

For more information, and links to Cockatiel resources, visit http://www.great4.com/cockatiels.html

A pet Cockatiel can be a wonderful friend and companion. He will have a distinct personality, and you will soon learn to read his moods. He will delight and entertain you, and with proper planning and care, will become a well loved member of your family.

About the Author

Michelle Gonzalez is the editor of both www.youthweekly.com and www.inspiredparent.com . A mother of three, she enjoys writing articles as well as poems and stories in her spare time. Her passions around childrens literacy and good parenting led her to create her two successful ezines.