How do I earn my bird's trust?

Question

We know a family. The parents are both doctors, and they spoil their children by getting them every pet conceiveable. These children had a male cockatiel, and they did not want him anymore. They treated him badly. They'd scare him out of his cage, and he'd fly around crazily, until the kids tried to catch him WITH THEIR HANDS!
So they gave him to me for free. I have owned him for about a year. i was patient, and gradually earned some of his trust. He easily sits on my finger and my shoulder, and he loves to play with my earings.

However, he will not let me pet him. I have a feeling that hands really scare him.
What can I do to earn his complete trust?

Answer 1

You have to let him bite you so that he learns that his bites don't affect you (even though it does hurt!!).

Anyway, while he's biting you, try to gently scratch his head or neck. Eventually, he will turn his head against your finger looking for the scratches - they love being scratched.

Answer 2

I bought one discounted because he had gotten loose in the pet store several times and had been treated rough. They said he was un tamable. When I got him his beak was almost torn off, his cone was gone and he was out of control. I tried several things and sought advice everywhere. The method of taming I finally had success with was to not let him have food in surplus. He was never hungry but I would give him just enough to eat until I got home from work. That way he was glad to see me when I got home. After he got to where he didn't panic when I opened the cage, I would leave the cage open for him then he would come and go as he pleased. They are almost ocd so before the food runs out they tend to get worried. He would always let me know when it got low by screaming. Each time I would wait a little longer after he started screaming before I would add food. Then after about six or eight weeks I was sitting on the sofa one day ignoring him and he came to the sofa and climbed my leg. I let him climb and scream for a minute then added to the food. From that day on he was my best friend he would be waiting for me at the door when I got home. I kept him about seven years after that and in that time he had just gotten to the point of letting other people touch him. As for me he got angry if anyone came close enough to touch me. He loved me so much he couldnt stand anyone that touched me for any reason. Also the hands thing, you could not even point a finger at him. You had to let him step up on the back of your hand. It is not the hand it is the fingers.

Answer 3

Male cockatiels can be very aggressive,and almost seem to like conflicts , an open hand may seem like a good adversary to him. If you can get him to step up from one hand to another consistently then you are doing well, and in some cases that is all that you can expect. From there you can try to pet him on the top of his head with the thumb of the same hand that he is sitting on.
If he is standing on the forefinger you can touch the top of his head with your thumb.If he likes it he will bow to make it easier,and eventually to show you that he wants to be pet.
Don't be upset.. The bird is fine.. He's just an aggressive little s##t that thinks he's a giant.
Good luck

Answer 4

My wife is an avian vet tech, and I've been around alot of birds as a result. I've seen birds with all kinds of issues, especially fear of hands like you describe.

Keep doing what you're doing, since it sounds like you're earning the bird's trust. It's going to be a slooooow process, and there is a chance that the bird may never wish to be pet, just keep working at it & don't give up!

Answer 5

Unfortunately the only thing to do is continue to be patient. Cockatiels are very sensitive to their surroundings and if not cared for enough or properly they get depressed.

I think the best thing to do for him now is to continue touching him constantly, simply petting his head once or twice, and following that action with a reward such as a peanut.
As more time passes he should let you pet him more and more until he is accustomed to associating petting with kindness and not children squeezing him.

Answer 6

People like that should have more reasonable parents. you are very good with bird to change him in only a year. but it will take many year to get him to trust you completely. But lets try, First you should get millet and give some to him ( This could take months) and show your hand. Same thing but closer. And so on.Until you get so close you brush his features next day try to touch him. If it doesn't work try try again.

Answer 7

i have a cockatoo....and we've had him for ...atleast 10 years.....first of all...if he doesnt let you pet him..that must be established...so give him lots of fruit...nuts...whatever cockateils like to eat.....and if the children abused him...they wont be very open to your sudden love...but....talk to him.... say the smae things over and over as if youre trying to teach him to talk...also...get his wings clipped so if he gets out...he wont fly around and drudge up bad memories...my bird loves pasta....eggo waffles.... anything starchy she loves to snack on fritos too..... try giving him some of these things...once you get him clipped....open the cage door and let him climb around...walk around...explore... he'l feel more comfortable if he knows whats around him. dont let him near remotes though...my bird ate all the buttons off.. after a while...once he trusts you enough to touch him, pet him a lot...just hold him while you watch tv... it will be a long road, but im sure that in time,,,your kindness will pay off and trust will be restored. i hope that helps.

Answer 8

each and each species of chook can selection. different variables comprise the breeder, no count if the chook became handfed, and the chook's very own, unique character. whilst i bought my 2 lovebirds (who on the time have been 2 years previous and that i became their 5th homestead), it became a protracted conflict. it took extra suitable than a 365 days to get them to believe me. with my conure, which i in my opinion handfed, it did no longer take any time, because of the fact of ways in contact i became along with her at the variety of youthful age. i've got had many different stories with birds that for the time of good condition between those extremes. with your chook being so youthful, you ought to have a relatively uncomplicated time taming him once you're affected person and consistent. do no longer make any unexpected movements or loud noises that would desire to reason your chook to improve concern of you. spend time speaking quietly to him on an identical time as you take a seat with the aid of the cage with out making tries to hold him. you will start to observe whilst the chook is responding to you, after which you would be able to initiate attempting the "step up" strategies. additionally, to get him used on your hands, feed him some treats (carry the manage on your palm with your hand flat and secure). be sure you on no account attempt to snatch the chook because it is going to scare him. additionally, do no longer enable your chook to be interior the cage all day. after a on an identical time as, they are going to quit desirous back out in any respect. whilst this happens, its plenty harder to tame them.

Answer 9

Agree with others, it just takes time. It will come around. ALSO, I wouldnt let it peck at your jewelry. I had same kinds of birds and they used to sit on my shoulder and I let them peck at my jewelry. They ruined a very expensive herringbone necklace I always wore. Birds like shiny things. If you gonna let them peck, USE COSTUME JEWELRY.

Answer 10

keep doing what u are doing. soon, he will know that if u have gone so long without hurting him, he will not be scared anymore.