# Parrot parents, what do I need to know about Cockatiels?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 16, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591 "2019-06-16T02:07:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591/21 "2019-06-19T04:36:15Z")

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We closed off a spare bedroom, made it “bird safe,” and let them have free run of the room outside their cages all day. The cage doors were open and they came and went as they pleased. Bird gyms and toys located throughout the room to give them variety.

It’s important to give them choices – a couple of different sizes and materials of perches, different kinds of toys, etc. Even a toy they are NOT playimng with was a choice they made. They need to have some level of “agency” in their lives.

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**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591/22 "2019-06-19T11:11:32Z")

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> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#):
>
> Out of pure curiosity, could one of you experienced bird staff tell me what it’s like to take a bird to the vet? I have always wondered.

IME, pretty much the same as taking a cat. Bird is in a carrier, is brought out and examined, blood drawn, etc.

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591/23 "2019-06-20T02:48:40Z")

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Typically you would want to go to an “exotics” vet as opposed to a regular dog-and-cat person, or a cow midwife (livestock vet).

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrot-parents-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-cockatiels/835591/24 "2019-06-20T08:55:07Z")

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Be careful when seeking a “bird vet” because they come in two flavors:

1. Poultry specialist - this one deals with commercial bird flocks/farms.
2. Pet specialist - this one is the one for companion animals.

Some regular vets will do basic care for pet birds but will refer you to a specialist avian vet if something serious turns up. My local vet will do check ups, claw/beak trimmings, and things like that but doesn’t do anything more serious, that requires going to a specialist.

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