First-time bird owner in Guelph — help!

Hi all! I just adopted a cockatiel and I'm already head over heels but also completely overwhelmed. So many questions: what pellets do you recommend? How do I know if they're sick? Is it normal for them to sneeze? How do I get them to trust me? I've been googling non-stop but real owner experiences are worth way more. Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Hey welcome! You'll love this community. Feel free to ask anything, everyone here is super helpful!

Hey welcome! You'll love this community. Feel free to ask anything, everyone here is super helpful!

I switched to Goldenfeast last year and haven't looked back. My cockatiel's feathers have never looked better.

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is positive reinforcement with their favorite treat every time they do the right thing. A lot of people also recommend adding more variety in perch textures and sizes. My avian vet in Hamilton also suggested checking for molting — they get uncomfortable and cranky which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

I actually disagree with this. In my experience with my Indian Ringneck, the opposite was true. But I know every bird is different.

Hmm, I'm on the fence about this one. Part of me agrees but then I think about my experience with Maple and it doesn't quite line up.

I respectfully disagree. I think it depends heavily on the individual bird. My Tiki is the total opposite.