Bird Cages

Hi, I currently own two budgies. Now I’m interested in getting a larger bird from a breeder. Where I live, there aren’t that many breeders, so my choices are limited. I’m looking for a small to medium sized bird that would like to "hang out" with me or whatever and bond to me. I have an extra cage about 18 x 18 x 24 but I know I’ll have to buy a larger one and that’s fine.
Here are my choices:
Cockatiel
Quaker parakeet
Indian Ringneck
Rosella
Meyers
Please avoid suggesting birds not on the list or making cruel, stupid responses. No one finds them funny!

Thanks!

A cockatiel is a great beginner bird(for someone who does not have experience with larger more demanding parrots. Since you do not have parrot experience(and I am not putting you down or anything like that, just trying to give you info) Quakers and Ringnecks can be very demanding, hard to tame birds. I have a quaker parrot, and she is a single person bird(and it not even me she loves). She took to my grandmother and hates everyone else. Ring necks and Meyers can be the same way.

Cockatiel are great birds and often overlooked for the bigger, talkative parrots. My cockatiel is a great bird, she is quiet, and not as messy as my quaker and conure. Birds thrive on love and attention, so IMO all birds need basically the same amount of play time and attention.

Good luck.

you’ll get 10 points for telling the cage size needed, pros and cons, and the name and price of the bird.

thanks
oh, please no budgies or cockatiels!
size doesn’t really matter, it just cant be huge.

That depends on what you mean by medium? Is it really the size that’s important? or the intelligence and degree of difficulty? My husband and I have gotten into green cheeks because they are smart, affectionate, and trainable like larger parrots but quite small, smaller than a cockatiel. They can be anywhere from $75 to $600 depending on the source and the variety. Ours has a 2.5ft X 2ft X 1ft cage. They are energetic, affectionate, and playful, huge birds in a tiny body.

Quakers are also an excellent choice, they are slightly larger and therefore would require a larger cage, probably one like described above only about 2 ft deep instead of one would work. They have amazing speaking abilities like many or the larger parrots and are terribly sweet. They can be anywhere from $100 to $400 depending on variety and source. Do your research though because they are illegal in some states.

Another option would be sun conures, they are larger and more brightly colored than green cheek conures, but are still very sweet and are a little less cheeky and more laid back. They could live in the same cage i described for the quaker. The drawback here is that they are pricier

http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00nMZakCvIEPqRM/Medium-Bird-Cage.jpg

is it big enough? if not can you show a picture of a cage that is enough.

Yes that is fine for two Lovebirds .but remember if they are M/F. They will want to breed,then that size cage would not be big enough, to take a nest box.

I wanted to know if the dimensions for this cage are good enough for a single cockatiel. And is the bar spacing appropriate? Is it too small? Here is a link to the website selling the cage. The website state it is suitable from cockatiels to Amazon, but I want expert advice please and thank you.

http://birdcages4less.com/page/B/PROD/Medium_Bird_Cages/PA5702

hi, it is big enough. it is actually bigger than a regular size for a cocktail. but it gives the bird lots of room to move around.it looks really good and he/she will defiantly enjoy the space. any way hope this helps but if you have any further questions please feel free to email me at lizzie10157@yahoo.com.

if you want a appropriate size cage for a cocktail here is a link: http://www.parrotdiseperch.com/parrot/shop_details.php?prod=1665 hope you like it.

Im really concerned about the bar spacing for this cage is it okay for a cockatiel? heres the link

http://birdcages4less.com/page/B/PROD/Medium_Bird_Cages/PA5702

Yes, 5/8" spacing is fine for a cockatiel. Of course, lots of perches will be needed in a cage that large. Use those cotton rope perches that can be bent and curved anywhere you want, they are very comfortable for the bird’s feet. DON’T use sandy perches, unless the only rough surface is on the underside AWAY from the tender feet and only where the claws come into contact. Hang a "boing" in the centre of the cage to make going up and down fun, they can also swing on them. If you don’t know what a boing is, here is a photo of one:

http://www.mybirdstore.com/10302622.jpg

In addition, place several dishes (clamp on) that you can put foot toys in (small chewable items that your bird can hold with a foot) as well as 5 good preenable toys strategically placed near perches to give the bird something other than his feathers to chew and preen. This will cut down on the stress that can drive them to over-preening themselves, and can eliminate behaviours that could lead to plucking.

Join a cockatiel forum such as: http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=13

The members will be able to help you with most of your questions about cockatiels and the best foods to offer (fresh sprouted seeds, fruit, and vegies, etc.) You’ll also get emotional support from people who "know where you’re coming from."

Good luck and enjoy "parronthood."