2 new Tiels

07-13-2008, 07:34 PM

I am fairly new on the forum, so for those who don't know me, I l am a bird lover who has an unofficial rescue. Meaning I take in the birds that I can. I am very interested in avian behavior and give free consults and advice to anyone who asks me. I am not an expert and am not ashamed to say I am still learning. Which brings me to the new tiels.
Snowy and Buddy. I have been working with their second owners for the past month. They have decided that the birds are too much for them, now they are with me.
Snowy is plucked, her head, around the eyes, and under her wings. I am not sure if Buddy is doing it or if there is some other problem, I suspect that Buddy is over preening.
Buddy is slightly bare on his underbelly. This I understand is common for a nesting female.
I am told that Buddy is male and Snowy is female. I think it may be reversed, as well I think that Buddy may be getting ready to lay. I hope that I am wrong.
I am looking for opinions, educated guesses and the like. Please and Thank you!

The first picture is Buddy, the following are Snowy, I have tried to show the plucked areas.

07-14-2008, 06:04 AM

You are an ANGEL! Just look at your wings! I am so thankful that they have you! What pretty babies! Ruby says "step-up!"

07-14-2008, 06:07 AM

Do they share a cage?

07-14-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandma

Do they share a cage?

Yes they have always shared a cage. I have thought about pulling her but if there are eggs on the way I don't want to split them. What to do?

07-14-2008, 06:47 AM

I think you may be right in the observation that the names are switched. From what I could see in the pictures, it does look like Buddy's plucked chest is a nesting thing and Snowy's is probably over preening. Ahhhhhh Birdie love, LOL! It sounds to me as if your doing all of the right things thus far. Keep an eye out for any egg laying behaviors, and if Buddy does lay an egg, if you can get a nesting box. The eggs may or may not be fertile only time will tell. Keep us posted on the out come, will you. Good luck with everything.

07-14-2008, 10:07 AM

Hi - I'm no Tiel expert. 2 Tiels doesn't always = 2 happy birds, even when they are male & female.

My Mom's male was with the hen they got him for about 5 - 6 years. They got along pretty well. Over time he became very bossy & then one day he attacked her so badly they thought she was going to die. They had to separate them. Alice is Ok now & Mo is re-homed. Now Alice is alone she is Ok but I have noted that after a few months she is more needy of attention. Her egg laying also slowed down to only a few now & again.

You might try separating them - at least in the cage time - so they can just be themselves. It might be Ok.

Don't forget other threads like this one, in case you need info right away ~ Just given a cockatiel... advice please

07-15-2008, 04:32 PM

Buddy looks like the male and Snowy the female , I would separate them and see how they do,I get alot of breeder birds in that look like Snowy. Start misting her with some aloe.

07-16-2008, 07:55 AM

I have no advice but I wanted to say you are doing a great thing. They are cute even with missing feathers.