Well, i got my first cockatiel today, and i am anxious to tame it. I have a parakeet which has never been tamed (it was an old one when we got it, and even when i try to tame him, he doesnt) so i want to be able to play with Pierre (thats the cockatiels name). i really dont know how, and he is quite fistey, but only a few months old.
how do i tame him? and another question; can i put my budgie with Pierre?
thank you in advance!
2006-12-23 12:02:02 · 3 answers · asked by Gale 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
One of the things that long time fanciers forget to tell new cockatiel fanciers is HOW to handle the birds. There is an accepted way that works better than others, and it works to prevent the bird from accidentally escaping or being injured.
It's done this way: (I am going to describe everything for a right-handed person. If you're left handed, simply reverse.) 1. Take your right hand and turn it palm up. 2. Open the first and second fingers of your right hand like they were a pair of scissors. 3. Slide your right hand, palm up and with the first and second fingers open, under the bird its left side. Slide the birds legs between your open first and second finger and close them down to comfortably catch the legs. 4. The bird is now in your palm and facing you. Slide your right thumb up and over the bird's wings to hold him secure as you pull your right arm into toward yourself with the bird's head near your chest. 5. Use your left hand to help keep the bird in place. 6. This should provide a secure and comfortable hold for you AND the cockatiel.
There is also a second reason for this hold, not only is it secure, but by holding the bird this way, if it decides to defecate (go ca-ca), it doesn't land in your palm.
Obviously, this works better with birds that your hands can comfortably hold. NEVER, EVER hold a cockatiel by both its wings held up over its back. This borders on outright cruelty. It's like if I let you hang from your arms this way.
2006-12-24 20:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by maddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not put budgey in with the tiel; parakeets are quite bold and cockatiels are very sweet/cuddly
however, to tame it, you have to earn his trust first. he/she may not like your fingers to come close to it; this means the breeder did not take the time to finger train this bird so you have to gain its trust. may take a few months or up to a year
2006-12-23 14:17:06 · answer #2 · answered by featherly8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.birdloversonline.com/forum/index.php
2006-12-23 12:03:55 · answer #3 · answered by lilswanwillow 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋