My cockatiel is tame, but afraid of hands?

Question

I just recently got a cockatiel from an old lady who couldn't care for him anymore, and he is afraid of hands, we think it's because the groomer she sent him to, to have his wings clipped really messed up his wings, and cut off his tail, and might have handled him rough. How do I get him to trust me? also how long will it take for his feathers to regrow?

Answer 1

You just need to work with the bird and get it accustomed to hands;try using slow movements around the bird. Keep in mind that your bird is naturally wary of predator attacks,so it won't like being grabbed from behind or from above.Also,speak softly to the bird and tell it what you are doing.Give it several lessons a day.Work in a small room and take the bird out of its cage and get it accustomed to being carried.I'm sorry that your bird had a rough time of it at the groomer's. It's very hard finding bird-oriented businesses. You need to learn how to clip your bird's wings yourself.Take the bird to the vet the next time and have the vet show you how.As for the regrowth,the feathers need to fall out first,so this could take some time.Just remember,patience is key to both matters.
I own three birds;I just recently acquired a bird who someone lost;her wings weren't clipped and she flew away.This is why you must learn to clip your bird's wings.
You can also e-mail this question to Bird Talk magazine,a magazine that I recommend to bird owners.I also recommend that bird owners acquire several manuals on their birds;there are training tips in these manuals. Bird Talk can be reached at [e-mail].

Answer 2

i raised 75 finches, 3 parakeets and 3 or 4 cockatiels. one of my cockatiels came from an abusive home. they used to slap the side of the cage every time he made a noise. he was very afraid of hands. it took alot of time and alot of patience to finally tame him. he was not a young bird either, he was 5 years old when i got him so it can be done. first, you have to show him that hands are a good thing. keep his wings clipped, learn how to do it!!! it is really easy once you learn but that will help you in his training also. (by tha way, do not keep him in the kitchen. fumes from non stick pans can kill him) keep his cage near you where you spend most of your time. eat dinner in that spot for awhile. while you are eating, open his cage door and leave it open. he probably will not come out right away. talk softly to him. get little pieces of apples, or oranges, or grapes and put one piece on the very tip of his door, make sure you do this at the same time you are eating. make sure you move slowly and he sees you do this. do this every day and gradually give it to him from your hand. they also like and almost cant resist popcorn, with no salt and butter please. DO NOT feed avacado or anything that has avacado in it. it will kill him, the same with raw rice. any hands on you have with him do not force it. he will do it on his own time. you will probably get bitten a couple of times, but dont punish, just a stern no. you can also blow gently over his nostrils if he goes to bite, that might slow him down alittle. i would also contact that bird talk magazine and see what ideas they have. i learned alot of stuff from them back when i was raising my birds. its a great magazine. i hope this helps

Answer 3

To start with-if the bird was mistreated, ignored,teased, or in a hostile ennnviroment-its going to take time and patience on your part. Usually, once a Parrots trust has been broken or abused, the bird won't be interested in bonding. Birds are very picky. Please take this constructivly: as a loose general rule-they don't like screaming kids, domestic upheavals, being teased. They like to play gently. Try talking sweetly and calmly to your bird, often. If you have a busy lifestyle-even 5 min. of acknowledgment here and there is great. Also-add some little ribbons tyed here and there on the cage, new toys. They like to keep thier minds busy. Don't try to grab the bird-open the cage in a controlled , calm enviroment and see if it will come to you. This could take weeks or more as the bird builds trust Don't lung or be agressive. Hopefully, one daty it will walk right up your arm and cuddle at the back of your neck! As lonf as the bird isn't plucking its own feathers, new ones will come in. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Think of it from the cockatiel's factor of view. You're giant. You're a predator. You're responsible of each and every detail of his existence. It may also be intimidating for a bit hen. Tips: ~Move slowly. Think of driving in a vehicle. What occurs to you whilst the vehicle stops rapid? You're yanked rough towards the seat belt, proper? Well, your palms and shoulder don't have any seat belts. Moving swiftly throws the hen off stability which makes them apprehensive. ~Don't take hold of at him. When ever you'll, allow him come to you. Wraping your palms across the hen will freak him out. Flat surfaces are quality. ~Use verbal instructions like "step up" to sign him that you simply desire to preserve him. This manner, he is aware of what to assume and it isn't a shock. ~Wash your palms, and pen up different pets like cats and puppies. If the cockatiel can odor predators on you, he is also apprehensive. Even smelling meals you could have eaten, or chemical substances you could have touched can freak them out. ~one million month is fairly now not many years for a hen. You're doing quality with him, preserve being sufferer. ~Bribe him with meals. Find out what his favorites and make it so he most effective will get the ones from you. If you are the merchandising laptop that offers him all his favourite meals, he's going to study that you are lovely quality. ~Speak to him. Use his identify. Birds are verbal creatures. Talking approach you are pleasant.

Answer 5

Groomers do not chop off bird tail feathers. Other birds pull them out or people do. The bird is afraid of hands because as another has said, it was mistreated.

Answer 6

I'm sorry I can't help you, but you might like to join my Yahoo! group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACE_forum where you might get some useful tips.