Mean male cockatiel, will he ever get better?

Question

We have a male cockatiel. We got him at 4 weeks old (he was not taken care of). I got him to eat from my hand etc. He really took up with my son but now hates all of us! He will not let us pet him and tries to chase us down to bite us. If we even walk near his cage he will come running trying to bite. He will not even let my son near him anymore. He talks to his mirror (I have tried taking it away) all the time and seems to think it is another bird. When I take it away hopeing his behavior will improve it doesnt. Then he just squawks really loud and doesn't stop. He used to be so friendly. Will he ever get better again? My kids are now afraid of him and I'm thinking of giving him away. Thanks for any help

Answer 1

1.Training tips

Just like a dog, a bird will be a better companion once trained. Tame, trained birds also tend to receive more interaction from family and friends and get the socialization they need in order to thrive. The final result is a well-mannered pet that everyone can enjoy.

Training should be a positive experience for both you and your bird, therefore, never start a session if you are agitated, tired or impatient.

You will find training is much easier if her wing feathers are trimmed. See your Avian Veterinarian for assistance on wing trimming.

2.Taming

The secret to taming a bird, is simply gaining her trust. Here&rsquos how you can establish this type of rapport with your new bird:

Hand feeding treats - without moving too abruptly, offer her a millet spray or her favorite seed or nut from your hand. She may be more likely to accept this treat in the late afternoon as most birds normally feed at this time. With practice, she will be completely at ease with this feeding method.
"Step up" onto your hand - next, you'll want to teach her to step onto your hand or finger on command. Gently press your finger against her abdomen while saying "step up." You can reinforce positive behavior with a small treat, but only when she obeys the command. Repeat consistently, as often as necessary until she steps onto your hand anytime you press against her belly. If she has a tendency to bite, start by using a wooden perch instead of your hand.

3.Talking

Different species of birds have different talking abilities. While some can learn many words, others will only mumble a few. They can also mimic sounds like the doorbell or the telephone as well as songs. In general, males tend to be more vocal than females. Ultimately, however, talking depends on the individual bird.

The key to teaching your bird to talk is patience. When combined with the following tips, you may find yourself with a chatty new friend:

Spend time with her each day. Daily 5-10 minute sessions are more effective than a long session once a week.
Start with simple words such as "hello." The first few words are often the toughest, but once she has learned a few, new words will come quickly.
Conduct lessons in different places such as the cage, on your arm or on a T-stand. This will prevent her from associating talking with a certain place.
Some birds will repeat what they are taught, while others will say words unrelated to your sessions. For this reason, be sure you are not saying anything around your bird that you do not want repeated. Commonly heard sounds such as calling the kids to dinner or the dog's barking may be the first things your bird repeats!

4.Training

House training
By house training a bird, you are teaching her to eliminate on command. This is a convenient way to avoid a mess. To teach your bird this handy trick you must first select a word or phrase that will be used by every member of the household as the command to eliminate. Next, you should anticipate her elimination tendencies. Most birds relieve themselves first thing in the morning, after they have eaten, and immediately after you place them in or out of their cage. When you think she is ready to eliminate, have her "step up" onto your hand. Then, hold her over whatever item you would like her to use as a toilet (wastebasket, newspaper, etc.) and give her the command.

Overcoming behavior challenges
Some birds may develop negative behaviors. With patience and training, these characteristics can be changed. Here are some typical behaviors and how to train a bird to behave differently:

Biting - birds use their beaks for climbing and grasping as well as to show affection. This is not painful biting and is typical bird behavior. If your bird bites hard, firmly say "no" so that she learns this behavior is unacceptable.
Screeching - it's natural for a bird to produce a certain amount of noise. You can help avoid excess screeching by giving her an adequate amount of attention and stimulation, such as plenty of toys to keep her occupied. Covering the cage for a short period of time, then uncovering it and socializing with your bird may also stop this behavior. Never yell at your bird, as she may consider this a favorable response.

5.Feather plucking

Any stressful situation may cause a bird to pluck out its feathers. Here are some of the most common reasons birds pluck:

Boredom - this can be solved by more attention, a larger cage, moving the cage to a room that's more active, leaving the radio or television on while you're away, adding different or more toys, or even another bird.
Jealousy or lack of attention - some birds get very attached to one person. If the bird observes this person giving attention to other people or pets or does not feel she is getting enough attention, she may start plucking.
Inadequate diet - be sure your bird is eating a balanced diet with pellets, fruits, vegetables and vitamin/mineral supplements.
Parasites or disease - these can cause itching and irritation. If you think this may be the cause, take your bird to an Avian Veterinarian.
Lack of bathing - some birds will stop plucking if they are misted with water or given access to a water bath on a frequent basis.
If your bird continues to pluck her feathers, consult an Avian Veterinarian.

6. The one-person bird--->Most Important

Birds can become overly bonded to their primary caregiver. This can cause aggression toward others, which results in family members spending less time socializing with the bird, further compounding the problem. To prevent this from happening, each family member should spend time interacting with and caring for the bird. Periodically, bring all household members together and pass the bird from one person to the next. This allows all family members to equally interact with the bird.

If this behavior is already established, the favored person should firmly say "no" and walk away when the bird misbehaves. The non-favored person should then pick up the bird using the "step up" command. This teaches the bird to be handled by others. Be sure to always supervise children around your bird.

Answer 2

I would remove the mirror because he/she thinks it is another bird and when you come near, it feels the need to proctect its mate. Speaking of such, do you know for sure it is male? The males will whistle a lot and even talk.

I have a greencheek conure that was given to me and he wild when I got him (he had been a breeder). I wrapped him in a towel and just petted his head and talked to him softly for about an hour each day. Each time I would unwrap him a little more until finally I could hold him in my bare hand and pet him. Now he will step up on command and is very sweet.

I have cocktiels too, but fortunatly I have not had any problem with them. I have two males and a female in the same cage. One male is very independent and just as soon be left alone, but that's okay. He whistles tunes and maulks words that some of my other birds say.

Who knows, you might even try a "real" mate.

Answer 3

I have a similar bird. He is a little brat. He isnt as bad as that though. My bird I have had for almost 10 years. I am the only one who can go near his cage without him hissing and acting all bad. I say he is more talk than bite. Cockatiels are one of the most stubborn birds I have ever met. They like something only when they want to like it. I gave my bird several mirrors. He finds much joy in them. I also talk to him and take him out. He is a royal pain to get out of his cage, but when outside he is fine. He will not let anyone touch him in his cage but my finger through the bars, but when he is out he will let some people pet his head. I guess why I am going on about my own bird is to let you know that cockatiels are pains sometimes. I had a love bird that did the same kind of behavior when I got my cockatiel. He was so jealous. It seems to me that your bird is very mad over something. Think back to when the attitude started and from there you can decide what is the best for your bird. For me it was separating the two birds by rooms so the other didnt know if I was paying attention to one or the other. To really get a bird to like you though you have to spoil him and spoil him some more. My bird gets very excited over millet. He starts dancing. Good luck... :-)

Answer 4

Cockatiels are the best pets. I have had one for six years and he is still with me. Cockatiels are one of the most playful pets and they are quite easy to train if you know how. If you do decide to get one make sure you don't put it in the same cage as your Green Cheeked Conure. Other than that, i saw go out and get a cockatiel.

Answer 5

Hi Scept,

Ok, first things first. Don't place the mirror back in his cage. Tiels sometimes become very aggressive because they believe that the reflection is another male. Toss the mirror.

Now, you don't say how long you've had him, and you also don't say how old your son is. I'm just wondering if you son is young and may have been a bit overzealous in handling your bird. I don't think it's your son's fault for the birds' change in behavior. I think it's probably a number of things, including the birds' getting older.

Either way, you need to start over with getting the bird accustomed to you and the family. The biggest thing you need to teach him is that he is not the boss. Right now he's exhibiting behavior that says he believes he is.

It'll take alot of patience and working with him to bring him back to the tame little one you had. If you relegate him to the cage because of his behavior he won't become more tame but less.

If I were you, I'd start with talking to him softly while he's in his cage. As you do this, you should be able to see that he'll become a bit more relaxed and calm.

Anytime that he starts with the squawking, his cage needs to be covered, and unless his sqauwking is a msg to you to cover his cage for the night, he needs to be told "NO" in a louder, firm voice when you cover his cage.

Doing this consistently tell him that he is NOT the one in charge, and that if he does do it, the only attention it will get him is a firm no and having his cage covered.

You'll still want to work with him to get him back to the tame or at least the tame that he'll be as an adult bird. You may know all this next but just in case.

Don't let the kids place their hands in the cage at any time. Don't place your hand inside the cage to try to coax him out.
He needs to know that his cage is his sanctuary, and their won't be intrusions. Obviously you may need to place your hand in there to place food or water.

While working to bring him to a more tame level, it should only be one person. Once he's comfortable with that person, then that person can have one of the other family members sit close by.
Then it has to be the bird's decision to explore that other person.
That person can talk to him softly, to let him know that they are not a threat.

As he becomes secure with the person that's working with him, that person needs to let the bird know when he's doing something not allowed. If he bites, he needs to be told a firm NO.
If he's become tame enough that he doesn't fly or run away from your hands, then as you say NO, place a VERY soft tap on his beak. If he continues with the unwanted behavior, place him back in his cage. If he starts squawking at being placed in his cage, then he gets covered.

Cockatiels are very social animals. They love interacting with humans and other birds but you have to let them know that you are the one in charge, not them.
They quickly learn what NO means, and, just like a toddler, will test you while they are learning.

Now, if in fact you have a female, and she's getting ready to lay, you'll find that out soon, and once she's gone through her laying and brooding time, she will return to the nice friendly tame bird you started with.

If this is the case, she'll also benefit from having her cage covered, as this will increase her feeling of security, and she won't be wearing herself out with the stress of chasing people walking past the cage.

One of the other things you can try is covering the cage on 3 sides, so they can still see their human companions, but still have a bit of security at the back and sides of the cage.

No matter what the reasons may be for the change in behavior, continue trying to talk softly to the bird on a regular basis. If their cage is in a high traffic or loud area of the home, you might want to try moving their cage to a less hectic area or room. Keep in mind that moving their cage will at first increase their insecurity as they get used to the new location.

Keep working with him. Softly and slowly. They are well worth the time it takes.

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Hi! Christnia J has made a lot of nice valid points. I would say something has happened to his trust. I think you will have to go back to square one. Be extremely patient with him. I would make sure his wings are trimmed. I would use the suck up method with him. Which is offering gifts of food to him when you go by his cage. You could take him into another small room like a bathroom and sit on the floor with a bowl of food that you both could share and let him decide what he wants to do. Patientance is the key word when dealing with a bird that the trust has been broken.
If you need any further assistance feel free to email me and we could discuss further behavior ideas.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Don't give him away. Maybe give him some alone time in a quiet part of the house. I have 2 males that are untouchable. They were adults rescued from a barn. One has no foot but you know what? I love them anyway and they bring alot of charm to the house.

Answer 8

Are you sure it's a male. I had a female who acted that way and then layed eggs. She was just in a bad mood.

Answer 9

did you handle him alot try to get him a girl cockatiel try to get him afriend males are like that