Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cockatiels make good pets?
Yes. Cockatiels are very social and when cared for correctly they make wonderful pets. When hand fed or handraised and tame they easily bond to humans and make wonderful pets. They are fairly intelligent and can be taught many tricks including complex whistles and speaking some words and phrases. Despite having many parrot traits, Cockatiels don't tend to scream or otherwise be overly noisy. They do socially chatter and like to hear their "flock" talk back even when not in the same room.
Are all your available birds listed?
Usually. I try to keep the website up to date as much as possible. At the top of the available page there is a date of last update listed. Also if I'm considering keeping a young bird or have a deposit on the baby, I will list the bird as "ON HOLD" or "UNDER DEPOSIT" or "SALE PENDING". If the status changes, I'll make the change as soon as possible. Once birds are sold and leave my care they are listed as "SOLD" or are removed from the page.
How can I reserve my choice of babies?
Contact me by email at PhoenixTiels@gmail.com. If I have what you're looking for, I can accept a non-refundable deposit of not less than 50% of the total price of the bird to hold one in the case of weaning or delayed pick up. Deposits and payments can be made through paypal with 3% added to cover the paypal fees. Once we've agreed on the purchase and the deposit is received, the bird is essentially owned by the new owner and just in my care. If for any fault of the breeder or health reason the bird cannot be transferred to the new owner, the deposit may be refunded or applied to another bird agreeable to both parties. If the new owner changes their mind about the purchase or does not arrange for pick up within a reasonable time frame, after the deposit is paid, the deposit is forfeit unless other arrangements are made agreeable to both parties.
What will I get with my bird?
New owner packets include starter feed (mix of current pellets and seeds) and treats, hatch certificate, photo pedigree (if available) and 10 day health guarantee. Guarantee only valid with a visit to an avian vet and proper documentation.
What if something happens and I can't keep my Phoenix Cockatiel?
I will always take back any of my babies in need of homes or care. I will not however buy them back.
What should I feed my Cockatiel?
The best answer is variety. Cockatiels do best when offered a large variety of foods, with their base diet primarily made up of pelleted food. Many owners choose to feed a high percentage of seed, but this can be unhealthy for caged birds with decreased amounts of exercise. Wild birds living on mostly seed diets must expend high amounts of energy just to survive, but caged birds can develop health problems on all seed. All the Phoenix babies are abundance weaned onto ZuPreem fruity pellots, Roudybush natural pellets, Higgins Supreme Cockatiel Seed, millet treats, cooked treats, fresh fruits and vegetables and more so that the baby birds will more easily accept the new owner's choice of diets.
How much will I have to pay for a good pet?
Phoenix prices vary according to age, gender, mutation, temperament and several other factors, some not related to the birds themselves. Pet stores that offer handfed Cockatiels usually charge significantly more than breeders, because they have more overhead and may have had to purchase the birds to begin with. Please remember that asking a breeder to take less than they are asking is like saying their birds are not worth what they believe and is often considered an insult. If you can't afford what the breeder is asking, be honest and ask for suggestions. They may be able to refer you to other breeders, offer a different bird, or even accept payments.
What if I can't afford the bird of my choice?
I do accept credit cards through paypal, and will accept payments prior to pick up of a bird. If you are serious about adding a pet bird to your family I can help you find a way to make it happen.
Do you ever sell or place adult birds?
Yes, sometimes there are adults, rescues or breeders (singles or pairs) available. Prices for such birds vary greatly. If they are available, they will be listed on the "available birds" page of the website.
Do you offer "out of nest" babies?"
No, as a rule, I will not let babies go to their new homes before they are completely weaned. This of course, may not apply to experienced breeders. But a new pet owner gains no benefit and faces far too high risk by trying to handfeed without a great deal of experience. The heartbreak of loosing a baby because of a completely preventable reason is not one I would encourage by any person.
Is banding a bird important?
Yes. Banding provides safe permanent identification. Banding is done when Cockatiel chicks are 7-14 days old and once the chick's leg has grown enough to hold the band on, it is permanent. This isn't just for breeders who use the band numbers to keep records on breedings and bird histories. Banding is also important for the average pet owner, allowing clear identification if a bird is ever lost or stolen. And if found, a bird can easily be returned to its breeder and the owner can be notified. Also there are still some states that require banding to prove a bird was bred in captivity or legally imported. Yes, banding is important. Some people claim the leg bands on birds can be dangerous but this is NOT true. The only way a closed band can only be caught is if the bird is exposed to poorly designed, damaged or worn cages or toys.
What information is on a bird leg band?
All Phoenix Cockatiel babies are banded through the National Cockatiel Society (NCS) and will include the following: NCS (written sideways) 69B (the Phoenix aviary code) 09 (year of hatch written sideways) o1 (the individual identification number for the bird).
NCS 69B 09 01 is the band for the first Phoenix banded baby, a pied boy named Uno!
Should I trim the wings on my Cockatiel?
Maybe. There are many reasons to trim the flight feathers on a pet bird. If a bird is more wild and needs tamed down, trimming the wings can make it easier to catch and less stressful for the bird to be caught when out of the cage. The chasing of a fully flighted bird can be traumatic for both pet and owner. For pet birds that spend time out of their cage and loose inside, trimming the flight feathers can be a preventative measure to keep a bird from accidentally getting out of the house or even injured inside. However if there are predators (pet dogs or cats) with access to the bird's area then a fully flighted bird has a better chance of safely escaping.
Where can I find more birds or information?
If you're looking for something special and don't see it here, try the breeder or club links on my more info page. If you still have no luck, email me. Maybe I can help you find that perfect bird.
