[jrsygal37]

Hi. I was wondering if there are any knowledgable Cockatiel owners out there? Short of a long story is that my parents who are 80 and 81 yrs. old are both in hospitals right now. My mom has Alzeihmer's and well my dad just could not cope anymore and it's a little embarrassing to admit but he tried to hang himself the other night. He's now been admitted into a psych. hospital and my mom is now in a nursing home. I brought Matilda (Their Cockatiel) to my home. She is a female and she is approx. 12 yrs. old. She was a hand fed baby but she was not been handled a lot. She is loving but skiddish and I do believe over a short amount of time she'll want to be cuddled etc. Her nails are very very long and I need to trim them. They had her eating some kind of cockatiel mix they buy at Walmart. They loved her but due to age and health I do believe she was neglected.

I have a Cockatoo that I've had from a hand fed baby (Boo is now 4 yrs. old) I feed her veggies, fruit, beans etc. and a dry mix of pellets, seed, fruit and laborers. I'd like to try and put Matilda on a healthier mix and I'd also like to buy her a bigger cage and give her some tree branches to climb and peel. I'm worried about her at such an old age not adjusting.

Any suggestions from you experienced Cockatiel owners, such as what they love etc. would be great. Also, can you tell me how long they live?

This is all so upsetting to me. Less then two weeks before Xmas, and I have my mom in one place, my dad in another and to boot my husband is having surgery this Tuesday at another hospital and will be in there for a few days then home for a long recoup. I feel so depressed. I have not even told my boys yet or even know what to tell them about their grandparents.

Thanks for any info. you can give on the Cockatiel. I'm going to google too but thought experience is the best.

Elaine