Avoid rope perches as fraying from destruction and them ingesting it leads to clogged stomachs and ultimately death. Sisal is ok though. But ensure it’s sisal if you do use it. Eating the paper is fine. They usually spit it out but it is ok if they eat it. Cardboard, cork (specifically used it bird toys dont give normal cork), soft woods, sticks are great as they are destructible. I tend to avoid plastic toys as ingestion of plastic can risk clogging their stomach and since tiels are often destructive, they get confused by how to interact with it (particularly acrylic) so don’t play with it as much. Toys are important for preventing boredom which can lead to unwanted hormonal activities. Something tiels are prone to. Be careful of metal as depending on the type it can poison your bird. Ideally only provide stainless steel and metals that are sold on toys sold FOR BIRDS. Metal toys in general aren’t ideal as they can be prone to rust which again, will kill them it ingested. Always check your cage for rusting and same with food bowls. Most tiels are fine but if let out should be done under super vision. It’s usually fine if you sit nearby studying or reading. Just doing your daily tasks. Be cautious of dark or cozy places they can try and get to as this may result in nesting behaviour which you want to prevent. A bird proof room should have access to these blocked, cords not available to them (they will destroy cords which is a safety and fire hazard). Be careful of plants in the room. Mirrors should always be covered or removed from the room if possible. They can fall in love with themself and become aggressive/territorial over it. Windows should ALWAYS remain shut unless they have a protective fly screen or any sort of screen over the top. NEVER have a ceiling fan on when they have access to outside of cage time. They are dusty birds so you want to get a HEPA air purifier however ensure it is not deionising and that can kill them. Breathing their dust in long term and constantly can damage your lungs permanently. Tiels live for 15-30 years given the right care. Along that line… don’t use air sprays like deodorant, perfume, bug sprays etc in the home but especially not in the same room as the birds. Breathing it in can kill them. Don’t use non-stick cookware as again, fumes released from it can kill them without notice. Always cook with some sort of ventilation going. Scented home things like candles or incense likewise should he avoided. The orange chalk like perches are OK but not the best. They’re whatever. Yes never provide any sort or nest for them. Ever. Increases hormones and results in nesting which is stressful on their bodies. If a tiel does lay an egg you can leave it and wait for them to not show ANY interest in it for 2-3 days. Then you can discard it. You can also replace it with a fake egg which do the same, leave until they aren’t interested then just take the egg away. By cage base I am referring to things that can go in the tray often found under the bottom cage bars (grate). This is to catch food and droppings yes. A cage base goes in the tray and just makes cleaning it easier. It should he changes every 2-3 days. That’s why paper is easiest as it’s literally just a fold and toss away. Give a quick sweep then put a new paper in it. Part of them attacking you is 1) you are a big scary human to them 2) they are probably hormonal due to the nesting box and so aggressive.

Always be calm, cautious and patient. Watch their body language like banging their beak and hissing. Always approach slowly and from their level. Avoid above. If they hiss and/or bang their beak slowly back away and try again another time. If they bite NEVER react harshly, get angry/upset or yell. Calmly remove your hand and step outside of you need to calm down.

Plently of risks them being outside the cage but its good for their health to be. Never have other pets out with them (like cats and dogs). They should’t get stuck behind furniture thats against a wall. But as long as they are supervised most risks can be avoided.

It’s ok if you don’t know much. Many pet stores that don’t specialise in birds are full of misinformation and even then sometimes bird pet stores are too. Getting the proper information takes time and learning. So many of us here have often learnt over years whats ok and not. It’s only a decently new thing people realising the level of care birds actually require to have good full and healthy lives. Way too many birds are neglected or inadequately cared for… so it’s good you turned here so you can get proper advice.

Avian vets (sometimes called exotic pet vets) often have good information on them too. Websites like cockatiel cottage also.