Why I Chose a Cockatiel for Outdoor Free Flight Training
Today’s focus is on the Cockatiel. Why did I choose to raise one again? I've kept many birds over the years—including Rosellas, Quaker Parrots, Sun Conures, and Indian Ringnecks—but the Cockatiel is the one I bonded with the most.
I have an upcoming outdoor free-flight challenge against two friends. One has a Sun Conure, and the other has a Senegal Parrot. Since Cockatiels are relatively affordable and possess great traits for recall training, I decided this was the perfect bird for the challenge.
Shopping on a Budget: Bird Supplies Under 100 Riyals
Let's see what 100 Riyals can get for a pet bird. I headed to the local pet stores and found a great cage for only 35 Riyals. I also picked up a water dispenser, a mirror (Cockatiels absolutely love mirrors!), and a cuttlebone for calcium.
The total cost for everything—the cage, toys, and feeding accessories—came to just 60 Riyals! Keeping birds doesn't have to be incredibly expensive.
Cage Setup and The Weaning Process
When I brought the supplies home, my bird was extremely hungry. I immediately placed him in his new cage. His feathers are fully grown now, so he needs the extra space to flap his wings and practice flying. I attached the cuttlebone and the mirror so he could start exploring his new home.
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I bought this bird as a baby about a month ago and have been hand-feeding him. Around the three-week mark, he went through a stubborn phase and wouldn't come when called. To fix this, I adjusted his feeding schedule. Instead of feeding him every 6 hours, I extended the time to every 10 hours, while leaving seeds and water in the cage.
This encouraged the weaning process. The longer fasting period made him realize he needed me, making him much more responsive and deeply attached to me.
A New Hand-Feeding Technique
After four years of using a syringe to feed my birds, I recently switched to a new feeding tool. It's incredibly easy to use and helps you feed your birds much faster. You just need to make sure you squeeze the air out before feeding.
Unlike deep crop feeding, this method works more like external feeding. It is safer, highly interactive, and perfect for birds at this weaning age.
Indoor Recall Tests: Is He Ready for the Outdoors?
Before taking any bird outside, you must ensure they have mastered indoor flying. If your bird crashes into walls or the ceiling indoors, taking them outside will result in you losing your pet. Here are the three tests we did:
- Test 1 (Distance): I prepared his formula, left him on a stand in one room, and went to another room with the doors open. I called him, and he successfully flew all the way across the house to find me!
- Test 2 (Descending): I wanted to see if he could safely fly down from a high place. He managed a smooth and controlled descent, passing the test easily.
- Test 3 (Full Stomach): Will he come to me out of loyalty, or just for food? After he ate his full meal and was completely stuffed, I went to the other room and called him. Despite being full and wandering a bit, he eventually found his way to me.
Conclusion
Passing these tests means my Cockatiel is ready for outdoor free-flight training! I've noticed that naturally cautious birds like Cockatiels and Sun Conures often respond faster to training because they bond closely with their owners. In contrast, Indian Ringnecks can be much more stubborn, though many people still train them successfully.
If this video hits 5,000 likes, I will drop the next part of the challenge tomorrow. See you then!
