First-time bird owner in Guelph — help!

Hi all! I just adopted a cockatiel and I'm already head over heels but also completely overwhelmed. So many questions: what pellets do you recommend? How do I know if they're sick? Is it normal for them to sneeze? How do I get them to trust me? I've been googling non-stop but real owner experiences are worth way more. Thanks in advance for any guidance!

I switched to Goldenfeast last year and haven't looked back. My cockatiel's feathers have never looked better.

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is positive reinforcement with their favorite treat every time they do the right thing. A lot of people also recommend adding more variety in perch textures and sizes. My avian vet in Hamilton also suggested checking for molting — they get uncomfortable and cranky which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

I actually disagree with this. In my experience with my Indian Ringneck, the opposite was true. But I know every bird is different.

Hmm, I'm on the fence about this one. Part of me agrees but then I think about my experience with Maple and it doesn't quite line up.

I respectfully disagree. I think it depends heavily on the individual bird. My Tiki is the total opposite.