My cockatiel is about 5 years old and came from a home (my cousins actually) where he was neglected (almost a bird for xmas sort of thing) and sometimes quite badly treated when making a noise. We’ve had him a few years - about 3 or 4 I think - and I recently took the role of his sole owner. Now he's my pet and my responsibility, and I've become his favourite, like his companion.
He's a good bird and a pleasure but I can't fully enjoy him cos I can't even handle him. He gets very nervous when my hang gets anywhere near him and just moves away. He approaches me now and then when my finger is poking through the cage, he has his head down as if wanting a stroke but never fully commits.
Is he too old to tame? Can i ever fully gain his trust?
2007-03-26 01:25:25 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
It will take a great deal of patience on your part to get his full lconfidence. They are the most rewarding little birds there are. Put your finger in the cage and leave it there, eventually he will hop on to it. Talk softly to him all the time and give him little treats. Only you must do it - no one else. The poor thing has to learn to trust humans again. Good luck, I will be thinking about you.
2007-03-26 01:29:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No It s never too late to train a 6+ year old Cockatiel. I just got bought an older Cockatiel at a Farmer s Market last week cause I felt sorry for it trapped in this tiny cage with 4 other birds. It s only been a week, but he s out of his cage happily playing in his play pen (which is located on top of his cage). He even hangs out on the couch with me for 10 minutes each day. Will gradually increase that time. When he s in his cage, I leave the cage door open right until his bedtime. Of course, the wings have to be clipped so that they don t fly around and hurt themselves. The first couple of days I did have a few regrets about buying him, but not anymore. They are amazing birds, smart & affectionate. :)
2016-03-17 02:28:32 · answer #2 · answered by Nedra 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is never too late to tame and train the bird. If he was neglected, he probably has to build a new bond of trust. If he has a favorite treat, offer it to him. Talk to him gently and call his name. By putting down his head he wants to trust you. If he is afraid when you open the cage door, allow him to come out on his own. If abused prior it may take a while to learn to trust. If he is clipped( which is a good idea) he will depend on you more. If not clipped, he will be too independent. Offer a bowl for a bath. A light spritz bath with a spray bottle. Nothing threatening. These are bonding times. Cockatiels are very adaptable and if you show love they will feel it. Be patient and don't give up.
2007-03-29 18:30:24 · answer #3 · answered by thebirdlady 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've got one exactly the same - came from a home and was badly treated - it can be done but takes patience, a lot of patience.
Start by leaving your arm in the cage for a while at a time and allow him/her to get used to that - then start offering sunflower seeds in the tips of your fingers - allow it to get confident and curiosity will get the better of it - it will come and take the seeds slowly at first but as time goes by - it will start getting used to it's hand feeding treat - then move on to a little carrot or spinach/cabbage (raw) - once it gets the taste it will love every second -
It does take time - if you can seal the room - let it out to fly and keep a piece of wood (like an extended perch) handy - it will soon learn to fly to the perch.
All I can say is be patient - and expect to be pecked a few times -
2007-03-26 01:32:51 · answer #4 · answered by jamand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AS some have suggested, it takes patience to build trust. The bird will accept handling when that trust is established. My cockatoo was very young when I got him, but still required lots of patience.
Persevere, take time and don't be too keen in 'trying out' the relationship
2007-03-26 01:41:21 · answer #5 · answered by Ranjeeh D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try some hand feeding. Hold sunflower seeds out for him to take from your fingers. If he likes small seeds, wet your finger, dip it in the seeds and hold it out for him.
If you just have your finger out, do NOT pull back if he goes to bite you. Odds are he won't, but a bird wants to make sure a perch is solid before stepping up so he'll grab and feel it with his beak first.
2007-03-26 05:40:57 · answer #6 · answered by Meg W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a cockateil ive ad him for 3 years he is as tame as anything he eats with us he dosnt leave us alone all day he loves to sit on the fireplace just watchin and talkin he says loads of words we got him at 6 wks old but he was handreared but if urs wasnt a handreared one u will never get him to go near u .sorry but its true.i
2007-03-28 12:21:00 · answer #7 · answered by sillybilly 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try bribing him, its nice to hear that your willing to take the time and effort. Don't give up on him you might be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck x
2007-03-26 01:28:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋