I have 4 cockatiels. One is a male and the other 3 are females. He is nice to 2 of them, but he is very aggressive towards the pied female. Whenever I try to take him out he tries to bite me.
2006-09-17 17:03:36 · 5 answers · asked by snugglebear200482 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I had a male who was VERY dominant, first one way to get a male cockatiel to be nice, and more trainable, is to have his wings clipped. that way he knows he has to depend on you.
Next... NEVER invaide their space....I NEVER stick my hand in their cage. unless they are not in it and i am cleaning it.....
It is natural for the birds to try to bite you that is their safe space.
Heres what I did...... Open the cage... place millet on top of the cage, and let them see it.... cockatiels LOVE millet let them taste it, and they will be curious and wander up on top to eat it.... Your bird needs to be taught that you are a friend, spend time playing with him without trying to pick him up, Birds love to play peek a boo~~ at least mine do! spend time offering treats, again without trying to pick him up.
once he starts being a bit friendlier with you, start trying to teach him to "step up" every time you do this though you should offer him a treat.Every time he will come to you without biting praise him and reward him. Birds are so smart, he will get it. try scratching in an upwards motion on the back of his neck, even with his orange cheeks, they love it! (not all birds take right to this, you may have to do it a couple times for him to realize he likes it).
You might need to seperate the birds... and work with them one on one.... the male might recognize the pied as a mate... my male pulled all the feathers out of his mates head... who knows. check out
www.cockatiels.org
and I really liked the book cockatiels for dummies.
I'm sorry I have to add, the tapping the bird... does no good, neither does dropping him (common) your bird needs to learn to trust you, and that will not do it!
2006-09-18 18:28:28 · answer #1 · answered by pink girlie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you've got to bite your tongue when a bird doesn't want to be picked up and handled. Cockatiels, despite their small size and gentle personality, sure can plant a good bite when they're grumpy! The male that is aggressive is probably trying to dominate you and in his case you'll have to ignore his biting and pull him out for handling despite his protests. Sometimes sticking him in a cage by himself will bring him down a notch. :-) I'd recommend putting him in his own cage for a while, especially if he's picking on the pied female. That way he doesn't have competition and he's got to rely on you for handling and companionship. Once his attitude changes you can probably stick him in with the other tiels. If you've not clipped your birds I strongly suggest you clip the aggressive male. I know my birds get a real attitude when they're fully flighted!
Good luck!
2006-09-18 00:38:48 · answer #2 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would take the pied out of their cage . I have found if you put a little vegemite on your fingers they will lick it off and not bite! I would NOT tap on beak as it is a very sensitive part of the bird and you could cause problems by doing it.
The vegemite works from budgies to galahs!!
2006-09-18 02:00:57 · answer #3 · answered by juliesbirdz 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
with the one he is aggressive to you will need to take her out. when he starts to bit you. just lightly tap him on the beek. this is to show him you are the boss. if he keeps this up. just repeet tapping him on the beek. when you are taking him out use a shirt that has your sent on it. then hold him to you this will get him used to you. he thinks you are going to hurt him that is why he is trying to bite you. you can do the same thing with your other birds.
you can also try putting the male and the female in the same cage by themselves. to see if they will get along with out the other females around. if you are having trouble with the cockatil trying to fly off when they are on your finger. just place your thumb over the toes this will also show you are the boss.
talk to the birds and whistle they will pick this up after awhile. i had one that whistled the andy griffen theme song and yelled here kitty kitty. cockatils are real smart even if you don't think they are. good luck
2006-09-18 00:14:32 · answer #4 · answered by lavrisa_bmpw 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
try puting him in a cage by himself for awhile but make sure it is at eye level if he is above you he feels he is the top bird you need to talk to him alot and just give him time he will see that you are not going to hurt him as for as him fighting with the other bird maybe she is to young are to old good luck with him
2006-09-18 02:25:47 · answer #5 · answered by mary_nath1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋