Tiel Chat Cockatiel Message Board Chat

[ Tiel Chat Cockatiel Message Board Chat ]

Seethru

Posted by Diane on 7/21/2025, 5:38 pm

How are you feeling? I feel like that's a stupid question.

Re: Seethru

Posted by Gina on 7/21/2025, 6:21 pm, in reply to "Seethru"

Not stupid at all! I have been wondering also.

I'm okay

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 7/21/2025, 9:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Seethru"

And it's definitely not a stupid question. I'm very depressed, of course. I miss Rico, and Riley, and Hurricane, all three birds passed this year. I know Rico and Riley were elderly, and Hurricane had cancer.. But we still miss them a lot, always.

I was thinking today, about all of us, we who have lost our birds, we who worry about our birds we have left. We all know it's nature, and it's the ultimate outcome for loving anyone or anything... and it's kind of a blessing to outlive our little ones so they are not left in situations that might be sad if we go on to the next phase. I sure doesn't make it less painful, though.

I'm also listening to my Tiel, Solomon who was well grown when I got him in 1995, drum out his drumming song tonight. My 30 plus year old Solomon, blind, old, arthritic neck Solomom, and i wonder what his secret to long life is.

Rico was 25, maybe older. A Quaker parrot. He could have lived 25- 35 years. He had a long life, 19 of those years with me. Riley, 20 plus years old, a good long life. Hurricane, age unknown, but seemed like an older parakeet to me. But I only had him a year.

I know I'm rambling. I'm a bit lost, but I have the 6 remaining birds to keep me grounded and busy. I'm a little aggravated at my bandaged hand, wishing the stitches were out already so I could do more. One bright Spot Tweets is letting me pet him now... but only with my face. My nose, specifically. He still hates hands, but wants to be petted. He likes kissies on the back of his head, and nose pets.. Do you know how hard it is to pet a bird with your nose?

Thank you all for asking about me. I'm okay. Sad, depressed, tired, but okay. This is part of loving a little one. The pain at goodbye is worth it for the love.

Re: I'm okay

Posted by Diane on 7/22/2025, 8:30 am, in reply to "I'm okay"

OMG. I can't believe that Tweets is doing that. That gives me some hope for Max.

Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Gina on 7/22/2025, 1:56 pm, in reply to "Re: I'm okay"

I have been thinking of how I hope that Max is more like Tweets and not like my Bailey.
He just never came around. True, he developed neurological issues and blindness, but after 4+ years, I don't think he was going to get over his grief at losing Snickers.
They are all so different and so, respond differently.
Here's hoping. You are in my thoughts always, also.

Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 7/23/2025, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!"

My Solomon never came around. He was my first cockatiel, and I've had him 30 years here. He's over 30. He has never come around to being handled, or touched or petted. Btu he does like singing back and forth with me, with his unique whistles. Lots of my tiels didn't warm up to me. Rico too 14 years to really bond and trust.

I find it's best to accept them for who and what they are, tame or not, and love them all the same. It takes the stress off of us and them.

Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Diane on 7/24/2025, 12:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!"

I agree with you there. I don't want to manhandle him at all. I actually wait till he goes back in the cage either late in the afternoon or night before I close the cage and go out. Sometimes to get him in the cage early I put millet inside his food cup. I do try to hand feed him avicakes various times during the afternoon. I think I was a bird in my past life because I still want to preen him.

Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 7/25/2025, 8:57 am, in reply to "Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!"

I want to preen Tweets so much, too. I can't do that with my nose, lol

I wait for Tweets to go in his cage, too. Even though I could catch him and hold and pet him, He wouldn't like it much, he fusses and struggles a little though he doesn't bite, and sometimes whistles. I know he doesn't like that, so I don't do it. I'm simply accepting him as he is, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, o that he will one day, I can scritch that head of his with my fingers, and that he sees how much better that is than a nose, LOL

Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Diane on 7/25/2025, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!"

I''m scare to grab him. Max is a bitter and he hurts. I can not hold him or touch him at all. If I ever had to catch him I have to do it with a net and I' scared of hurting him.

Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 7/25/2025, 3:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Diane, I am hoping along with you for Max!"

When I had to catch biters, I'd do it with a pillowcase or small towel. It's difficult. I learned that if the room is dark, it's easier. When mine wouldn't' go into their room at night, I'd turn the lights off everywhere leading up to the livingroom, then have their bedroom light on, and then turn the livingroom light out so they flew to the light int heir bedroom. That way I didn't have to chase or catch them.

Tiels really hurt when they bite! So do parakeets! I can see you not wanting to mess with that. Thank goodness Tweets doesn't' bite when he is captured. He does bite if I put my hands near him, but not when I catch him and gently hold him. Weird bird.

Re: I'm okay

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 7/23/2025, 9:55 pm, in reply to "Re: I'm okay"

Tweets is requesting nose pets. But... I really wish I could hand pet him. He'd love it if he would trust!

Thanks for updating us...

Posted by Gina on 7/22/2025, 1:51 pm, in reply to "I'm okay"

I DO know how it is, kissing a 'tiel with your nose! That is the only way Snickers would allow it. But...I so miss his smell.
I was just talking to a friend about (at the very least) not having to worry about Bailey outliving me and being left to die. I get that fear. I had it for many years.
I am glad you are okay and I apologize for forgetting you had lost Hurricane, also, this year.
And with your own healing going on, too. Sigh.
You and your flock are in my thoughts and good to hear that Tweets seems to be coming around.
Gina