I recently acquired a young cockatiel that was supposedly hand-fed and tame. Despite being very gentle with him, he is very frightened of me and won't let me hold him. Although he has a perch, he also has free run of the house much of the time. Strangely, he has attached himself to my dog, following him constantly, cooing at him, and trying to snuggle with him despite my dog being slightly annoyed with him (he's never tried to harm him). Any bird specialists who have seen this type of behavior before? What can I do to encourage the bird to be friendlier with me?
2006-07-07 05:15:43 · 9 answers · asked by 13th Floor 6 in Pets ➔ Birds
I'm not a bird specialist, but we had a parakeet who was the same way with our Golden Retriever. He would sit on the dog's "wrist" and preen his whiskers and say "pretty pretty bird". The dog didn't mind and never showed any aggression towards the bird at all. I don't think he realized the parakeet would taste like chicken. :-)
2006-07-07 05:19:45 · answer #1 · answered by flamingo_sandy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not abnormal for your Cockatiel to bond to another animal, no more unusual than a Cockatiel bonding to a human. If you acquired this bird when it was no longer a baby, he may be exhibiting behaviors and preferences learned from his previous home. I would not let the Cockatiel spend any unsupervised time with the dog, nor would I give him free roam. It only takes a second for tragedy to take your Cockatiel.
If you want your Cockatiel to become more attached/accustomed to you, first have his wings clipped. Most pet stores or Vets will perform this procedure for $10 or less. Do not clip your own bird's feathers unless you have been trained how to do so.
Next, buy some spray millet and Cheerios. Tempt him to come to you with those foods held in your fingers. Do not let him take any of that food until he steps up on your hand. Be sure you keep your energy level low and confident while doing this. The bird can pick up on anxiety and fear. Move slowly and surely.
Schedule one-on-one time with your bird, time when the dog is placed in another room. Spend about 15 minutes with your bird each day. Do not make it at the same time each day. Although pets need a degree of routine, adhering to a strict routine can make an animal neurotic should the schedule change suddenly.
The key to having your bird accept you is time. Be patient and take gradual steps. In time, your bird should desire to spend time with you.
NOTE: this is not guaranteed. Temperament is at least partially inherited. Some birds simply remain distant and fearful, even if handfed. This is why people should avoid breeding skittish birds. Temperaments of parent birds should be highly considered/weighed before breeding ANY animal.
2006-07-14 00:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by tametiels 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a specialist but my sister had a cockatiel that liked to "play" with her dog. She heard it was common for them to develop attractions to the other pets in the house. As for making him more comfortable with you, hold food out for him to take, then set it down and back off. Praise him a lot. Gradually get closer, still praising him, and always back off when he seems upset or afraid. Hope this helps.
2006-07-07 12:24:19 · answer #3 · answered by Just Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a new tiel. well had him for about a month now. He loves every one he meets. He loves my sun conure that keeps trying to eat him. Stupid little tiel just keeps going back over to the bigger birds cage and gets knocked off or chaced around the cage on the outside. The tiel will get down on the floor and follow humans around jumping up trying to fly up to us.
Do you have your birds wings clipped? If not do it. It helps to make them depend on you. Carry the little guy around a lot and talk to it a lot. Talk softly not loud.. More baby talk then adult talk.
I take mine outside with me. Most of the time one bird on each sholder and get in the middle of the fights.
2006-07-08 22:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Don K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would not allow this behavior to continue as your bird can get very sick from your dogs dander.
read up on it and you'll see. It is not natural and should NOT be encouraged.
2006-07-13 21:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by mickmanster1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They spend time together while you are gone...this is where the bond may have started...
2006-07-07 12:18:23 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong they just have bonded
2006-07-07 12:19:58 · answer #7 · answered by boredgirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stop being ugly
2006-07-07 12:18:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is natural
2006-07-07 12:18:00 · answer #9 · answered by nicole h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋