Help! A friend is leaving the country and dumped an unwanted pair of lovebirds on us

[Anonymous]

Did anyone else think of Mo Willems?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play some Skynyrd!

If I leave here tomorrow, will you take my unwanted birds?

For I must be traveling on now. Cause there's too many birds I've got to see.

[Anonymous]

OP, birds are pretty hearty and resilient but you need to be aware of a few things. Try to avoid scented candles and sprays, and be very careful of non stick pans. Feed them once a day, a high quality cockatiel seed, and millet spray if you feel like it.

Cockatiels are very dusty birds, as it’s a protective mechanism for their feathers. You may need to vacuum more often.

Care:

Fresh food and water daily
Change cage bottom (if you’re lazy, just line the cage with several layers, and remove the dirty one daily). Newspaper is fine as most are made with vegetable dyes.
You can give them leafy greens or most vegetables if you’re feeling generous - *no* avocado, onion, chocolate

[Anonymous]

OMG OP I would be pissed! What a great friend dumping this on you. DH no help just saying why yes!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, hit submit by accident

Both birds may appreciate a quick shower with a spray bottle filled with warm water. Cockatiels usually love showers and may hang upside down
Birds ideally need about 12 hours of dark/ quiet daily
They will naturally be loud a few times a day - usually at wake up, some time mid day, and at bedtime
They will have a very quiet/siesta period daily

A bird that appears ill is likely VERY ill - sitting on bottom of the cage, fluffed feathers, not eating or drinking, clogged nares, seed stick around their beaks, etc,

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. I would offer to help if I was closer. There are some avian rescue groups in your area. Unfortunately, the two species you have are “Pet store” birds and not likely to greater a lot of interest for them. You may honestly be best to post on a buy and sell board, as much as I hate that for live animals.

If you can post a few more pictures, i can possibly help you figure out if they’re male or female as both species are sexually diimorphic. The cockatiel will be a little harder as it’s a mutation, but pictures with the tail would be helpful..

[Anonymous]

PP, thank you so much. Really appreciated.

We have since found a great home for the cockatiel. Now we just have the parakeet, who seems to be doing well but is now lonely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are serious, I will take them, OP. I used to keep finches, cockatiels, parrots, and parakeets so I'm experienced with birdies. Love birds are nice because they get to hang out together.

Is this poster still interested?!?

[Anonymous]

Animal Welfare League of Arlington. They do take birds.

[Anonymous]

OP, I currently own a cockatiel and a parakeet.

1) Thank you for being kind to them, and I would be pissed at my DH too.

2) Can you get the new owners of the cockatiel to take the parakeet? I'm asking because the birds are probably bonded, and once you've got one little bird, having two is really no big deal. Both birds are going to be very lonely without each other.