Male vs. Female

[bs007]

I'm actively looking for a tiel and I think I want a male. The reason being is that I'm afraid if I get a female she will start laying eggs at some point. That whole process scares the heck out of me! I am new to all of this & I wouldn't even know what to do if that happened!
My question is...do you think I'm right in feeling this way? If we find a female & fall in love with her, should we walk away due to inexperience, or is this an issue that I shouldn't even worry about? I just don't want to put my tiel in harm's way due to lack of knowledge.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[Admin]

Hi bs007

if you are planning on having a lone bird then personally i would recommend a female. In tiels the female is more often than not friendlier and easier to tame (unlike budgies where it is the male), it is unlikely to happen but if the odd egg is layed, they will not be fertile so can just be removed.

We have some useful info on here for new tiel owners, maybe this will help you a little:-

www.birdcrazy.proboards2.com/index.cgi?board=faqinfo&action=display&n=1&thread=1139929480

Sal

[Scully]

More important i feel, is to get one that has just been weaned, and hopefully hand fed for a while.

I bought a tiel,(my first) in August (male ) he was beautiful and because he was young, and had been a little handtamed , in 3 days he was playing on the floor with me. He was going to be a special boy i felt, and gentle.
2 days later, he flew out the kitchen door. I was gutted.

I bought Kaeci, from a different place, i was told he was a certain age, but i think hes older than what they said. He was in an with quite a number of others. This was about the end of August, and hes has been totally different. Hes a sweet, gentle bird, and we are getting there. He loves to be kissed now :-XHes been a nervous little fella.

I personally would go for a male. A breeder would have a much better idea if a bird was male or female.
If they make a mistake, you will love it anyway

[Admin]

maybe these links might help?

www.cockatielbreeder.com
www.breedersonline.co.uk/parrot/Cockatiels

Although i am not sure where abouts you are, i just did a quick google search of "cockatiel breeder" but if you refined the search to suite your area you may be able to find a breeder local to you

[bs007]

Thanks everyone, a lot of useful info! I appreciate you taking the time. I think that what it will boil down to is if we fall in love with each other! I suppose anything after that we'll just have to take it as it comes!

[Admin]

good luck with the search, cant wait to see the first "proud parent" pictures

[alexandra]

hi

i have a male and female tiel, i got my male first and he has been a little nervous in being with people. 2 months later i got my female and she was completely different...i tamed her in a week! now that Jake has seen Jessie on my shoulder/finger he has come round to the idea!!

i personally love both, female tiels are just as lovely as males and vice versa!! they all have different personalities anyway! now my 2 have 2 eggs and i really hope they hatch ;D ;D