Do cockatiels get attached?

16 years ago

We have an 11 year old Cockatiel. He actually belongs to my son and he was supposed to be taking him with him when he moves out. Well, the "boy" has now abandoned the bird. The bird does not get enough attention in our home, though and I think we should give him to someone who would give him more attention. The question is, do you think he is attached to me and could he get over it if he were given to a loving home? I'm the only one who pays him any attention and he seems to enjoy it when I talk to him. But I don't have enough time to do it as much as he needs it. Plus, my husband HATES him!!!

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Comments (3)

sylviatexas1
16 years ago
Yes, they get very bonded & grieve if their beloved owner abandons them.
annzgw
16 years ago
I've taken in many birds and I've placed several birds in new homes. Just like dogs & cats, they need time to acclimate to their new home but they definitely can be re-homed. They usually become much happier pets because they end up in a home where they get the attention they need.

Whether your bird needs a new home depends on how much attention and handling he got from your son. If he's a bird that came out of the cage regularly and enjoyed having contact with your son then he will easily become depressed if all that came to a sudden stop. If he is a bird that stayed in the cage most of the time and the only attention was thru the cage, then he's probably fine continuing to stay in your home. Only thing I'd worry about is how your husband acts when he's around the bird since birds definitely know when someone doesn't like them. That in itself may make things so stressful that the bird would be much better in a new home.

If you decide to find him a new home, interview potential owners carefully and try to place him with owners that have time for him and understand what is required in keeping a bird. Also, they should try to have limited contact with the bird while you observe the bird's reaction. This is important because some birds just don't like certain people.
I have a large parrot I took in where only the male in the household could handle the bird. Even tho the guy could handle the bird it was touch & go when he made contact with him. After I got the parrot, I discovered he loves women and really doesn't care for men. He's now a pet that I can handle with no fear of ever being bitten.
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bigbaby
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Ann. Unfortunately, the bird rarely makes it out of the cage. He seems to enjoy females more than males and will get on my finger, but he doesn't like it. When he was a baby he started out the first 6 months or 1 year in a nursing home and people just poked at his cage so he doesn't like hands. He does like it if I get my face right up next to his cage and talk to him. He will get really excited then. That's one of the problems. I'm the only one who has ever paid any attention to him and I don't have enough time to make a difference.

Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate your insight, Ann.