A Match made in Heaven

When Emily, our female cockatiel died, poor Edmund (her partner) was inconsolable. We wanted to see how he would settle on his own, as we hadn't planned on getting any more pets, but as the week went on he became more distraught. It was heartbreaking (and ear-shattering!) listening to his anxious shouting from morning till night. He even looked depressed... or at least what I imagine a depressed bird to look like. Afraid that he couldn't go on for much longer in his vulnerable emotional state, we made up our minds that Edmund needed a new wife...... and soon!

Edmund (right) ~ Crystal (left)

...... and here is the happy couple. Edmund's new wife is called Crystal. She's gorgeous with large bright eyes and rich orange cheeks, she's healthy and robust, cheeky and curious.

Advertisements in local papers and internet searches yielded no results so, in a panic, I went running to a friend of ours who acquires abandoned and poorly animals. She's well-known to the RSPCA who frequently ask her to foster animals. I should have gone to Hilda first.... she had not only one cockatiel, but three! Good old Hilda! After selecting the one she thought would most suit Edmund, we got to bring Crystal home and...... it was love at first sight. As soon as Edmund sensed the presence of a female, his depression disappeared and a renewed interest in life came to the fore..... and when he saw her he thought he'd died and gone to Heaven! I have to admit that some hanky panky took place that very first day.

Crystal, sporting a sassy Jedward hairsyle

John and Edward aka Jedward

Eleanor's advice, from Cockatiel Cottage, was that if we got another bird to put it in quarantine for a month. My apologies to Eleanor for not following this instruction but we were unsure if Edmund would physically last that long and Hilda assured us that Crystal was healthy, so we had to take a chance on it. Thankfully, Edmund and Crystal appear to be happy together and peace in the household has been restored.