Thanks Twink. I want to get him something special for his birthday, and a Cockatiel is something that will not only last, but as a bird lover..........it's something he can come to love as well.

They can easily be taught to talk, and I think it's something he'd get a lot of enjoyment out of.

He still wears the same watch I bought him over 20 years ago. He still has the signet ring I bought him before we were married, so a gift he would treasure is getting harder and harder to think of all the time.

My two concerns are whether or not a caged bird would be allowed in leased accommodation, and whether or not his birthday in October is far enough into Spring to allow the purchase of a hand reared bird, remembering that September 1st is the beginning of Spring in Australia.

Thank you to anyone who has any advice.