question about our cockatiel...

[onebunnywuv]

Okay, we've had our cockatiel Lucy for over a year now. For awhile, she refused to come out of her cage at all, she's been doing better lately, but she just flies across the room and either sits on my parakeets cages, or on my husband's shoulder. We can't pet her or scratch her head/neck area, or even give her kisses like we used to. We're wondering if maybe she's lonely? For awhile, when my inlaws had her, she was around 2 other cockatiels, but that was last year. I'm getting a small cheque from a relative later this month, and I was wondering how good an idea it would be to get another cockatiel? Maybe with some companionship, Lucille would be happier? We weren't going to put them together, but maybe next to each other after a quarantine period? Once she's out of her cage, she's usually pretty good, and extremely friendly with my husband, but I can't go near him. She's staked a claim on 'her' man. ;) Would another be a good idea or a bad?

[Canni]

Have you tried hand feeding treats or any bonding things like that? Sometimes it also helps to go over step up training and things like that. My tiel was a single tiel and never really seemed to be lonely but he was VERY bonded to me. I also liked to do enrichment for him.. rearranging his cage often, adding new treats or veggies, putting in branches full of fruit/flowers of native plants (may be more difficult for you in the US but you may be able to find some eucalypts which are safe) all this helps prevent boredom.

Another tiel could be a good idea if you have the time and can afford to care for another.. birds do usually travel in huge flocks so they do love companions. Its a good idea to do a slow intro (first qaurantine) then place cages next to each other then introduce them whilst supervising :) generally if the cage is large enough tiels get along without a problem though sometimes you will have personality clashes.

[onebunnywuv]

Yeah, she's trained and everything as far as the step up thing goes. If my hubby isn't home, she's friendly enough with me, but once he's home she becomes aggressive towards me. Our avian vet said it's because she'll become protective of "her" belongings. I was thinking of getting a second one and after an appropriate time in quarantine and after seeing a vet, I'd put it's cage near Lucy's. I wasn't planning on keeping them in the same cage at all, even later on, unless they actually made that move (ie: both going and resting in the cage together). I think we've got about a dozen or more toys that we rotate about every week or so. She likes fruit and she'll take it from any of us, but she definitely prefers my husband. ;) Lucy's cage isn't very big, but I can get a cage large enough for both just in case. It's easy to provide food and whatnot for them. :) It costs me about $20/month for my parakeets and hub pays about $15 or so for Lucy so an extra little bit shouldn't be too bad. Plus I've taken an extra part time job, so I'm sure we could manage,

[Canni]

Sounds like a second tiel would be a good addition then :)

[LadyLynn]

I think Canni has some good ideas, however I think there is more you should know and consider before running out to get another teil.

1. How old is your cockateil?
At a certain age like people they hit puberty and want a mate, but don't really know or understand why. THey just feel the urge.

It is a common thing for birds to intimidate or scare off their intendeds other suiters, and of course protect the mate from danger which could result in some pretty nasty bites. Please don't call this "mean" it is a wild instinctive behavior.

As for feeding it local plants, don't go willy nilly on this idea go to some well informed sites that have the do feeds and the don't's! Birds cannot eat every plant. Some are deadly poison.

As for a companion for this teil that's really what you are willing to deal with.

Cockateils generally thrive when together, but for birth control purposes it would be a good idea to have both birds be the same sex.

Females, even without the males can and do lay eggs, but of course will not hatch.

some people I know I was shocked when I heard it freeze fertile eggs and then return them to the mother bird to keep control of an unwanted bird population. I don't know that I'd have the courage to do that cuz I love baby's, but what your asking is something you should do a bit of research on.
Why don't you visit the National Cockateil Society on the web to get a better feel for what you are asking.

Good Luck