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Birds--General/Cockatiel flight-age

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Expert: - 12/4/2007


Question
A friend offers me a 2 cockatiels for sale, which he says are almost flying. He has an aviary, so he doesn't really know when the birds were born. Based on the "nearly flying" piece of information, is it possible to guess the age of the bird? Would the bird still be young enough to be tamed?

Answer
Hi, Gus,

Depending on developmental progress, a tiel that is just ready to fledge will be about 5-6 weeks old (less than 2 months of age).  Whether the bird(s) are young enough to be tamed depends on the individual bird.  However, you need to start NOW handling, interacting with the bird(s) on a daily basis.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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