How do I finger-tame my cockatiel?

Question

I just got it and if you try to hold it, it bites and screeches and tries to fly (wings not clipped) away. I really want to hold it, where could I get the wings clipped and how do I do it? He is so cute and wanted me to pick him but now that I have him he is so annoying! He is 4 or 5 months old from petco.

Answer 1

You have to go slowly with birds and gain their confidence. Put your hand in his cage often and when you want him to get onto your finger put your finger against his chest and push him backwards SOFTLY. He should stpe up onto your finger then. Pet him often even if it is through the cage bars at first. He will soon see that you arent going to hurt him. Most birds dont like you to hold them with your hand around them so dont try that unless you have to take him from the cage quickly for some reason. You can damage their feathers and they have tiny bones so be very gentle always. Take your time and get to know each other.

Answer 2

Depending on the temperment of the bird this could be a long process.

First of all...if you just got it...give it some time to get calmed down and used to it's surroundings before you try to handle it. It's going to be freaked out just from the move, and trying to handle it will just freak it out more.

Now, when you start training it...

First, just sit near the cage, with your hand touchign the cage (not in it) to let it get used to your hand. Right now it sees your hand as a predator, as a danger...you need to show that you (your hand) is something good.

If it stays calmed down with your hand on the cage, slowly open the door and set your hand inside the cage (don't try to touch the bird, just set your hand in the cage and sit it there). let your hand sit there for a few minutes at a time, a few sessions throughout the day...gradually moving your hand closer from session to session as the bird becomes more accustomed to it.

This is about the time I begin offering treats from my hands. My birds have loved millet, so i would take a sprig of millet and offer it, often the bird will eat it, and will begin associating your hand with something good, rather than bad.

After your bird is calm with your hand in the cage with it, begin moving it closer, and setting your finger like a perch. When your bird is calm enough, put your finger underneath the belly with slight pressure while saying "step up"...the bird will step up from the pressure onto the finger (if your bird is screaming and flapping it's wings or biting then go back a step and get it used to your hand).

Do some sessions where all you do is have the bird step up and let it sit there for a few minutes...don't try to take the bird out of the cage right away. After a while the bird will get more used to you and you will be able to take it out.

This whole process may take a few days/weeks depending on the temperment of your bird. All the while make sure to talk to your bird in a very soft, reassuring tone and don't make any too fast sudden movements that will freak him out.

I used this process on both of my budgies (both of which were parent raised pet store birds and afraid of humans). Both of them will now proficiently step up. I did this with 1 bird flighted and 1 bird clipped....my flighted bird is actually more obediant, it really depends on their temperment.

good luck!

Answer 3

First of all NEVER invaide their space. his cage is his space... you need to coax him out, i use millet on my birds, i let them taste it, then let them see me put it on top of the cage. they will be interested. then you may try to handle him. if you reach inside the cage he will act teritorial and bite.
Your bird needs to be taught that you are a friend, spend time playing with him without trying to pick him up, Cockatiels 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 on 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)
Also a couple things that help, try having his wings clipped, usually doesn't cost more than 15-20 dollars at the vet and they can teach you how to do it. Having my males wings clipped really helps with his dominant personality, because when he can't fly, he has to depend on you. It also makes it safer for your bird so he can not fly away, or into a window.
Another thing is make sure you are taller than him, meaning keep his eye level below yours. A bird that has a cage above his human believes he is the boss. someone suggested taking him back, thats unnessessary, all you need to do is realize he is a baby, having a bird is like having a toddler, they require patience, and love.

Remember, NEVER hit or drop your bird, it CANNOT learn that way, and will just learn not to trust you.
expreament with different veggies, and seeds, and treats you can get from the pet store, bribery works!

if you are willing to work with your bird, you will have a great friend, I love my birds!
another suggestion, have lots of different toys for him to play with so he will not be bored, and as annoying, a bored bird will screach, and pluck feathers, and "be annoying"

Answer 4

My aunt and uncle have a cockatiel for 18 years and ive learnt how they manage it sqwarking. in simple terms use an empty spray bottle and fill it with water. while it wont give up sqwaurking then in simple terms spray it some situations. try this each and every time and it is going to be taught to not sqwaurk as lots. additionally once you bypass to mattress at evening positioned a pillow or a sheet over the desirable of the cage, this ought to calm it and give up it from sqwarking at issues. wish ive helped =]

Answer 5

your best bet is to take it to the vet to get the wings clipped. then the bird will rely on you to take care of it until the wings grow back. my aunt did this with her bird and now it always goes by her. the bird will gain trust in you during the time it wont be able to fly. clipping its wings wont hurt it and it's something a lot of people do.

Answer 6

u can get its wings clipped at a pet store i would not do it your self because u can hurt it if u dont know the proper wall to clip them and to train them well if its a baby u might have a chance but when adult u cant really train it

Answer 7

well good you got it at petco because they will let you return it. it is best to buy a hand fed bird.

Answer 8

my cockatiel is already tamed so i dunno what to tell u about that but to clip the wings get some scissors and cut of the first layer of feathers

Answer 9

Give it a sausage.