Ask Lafeber

Should I get my older cockatiel a new bird friend?

Male cockatiel passed away a few days ago and the female looks very distressed. She keeps looking for him and keeps acting nervous around us. Is it a good idea to get her an older friend? Male or female?

Hi,

She may or may not accept another bird. But it’s best to wait and give her time to grieve and adjust. If you do get another, try to find one around her age. Bird rescues have older cockatiels a lot of times. Keep in mind that in the wild, they choose their mates, so she may not like the bird you choose, and you can’t make them like each other.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda