Cockatiel screeches a lot - wont come out of cage! Ideas?

Question

I have a male (untested, but everything else adds up to be a male) cockatiel and he screeches a LOT. Not all the time, he'll sing, but he can screetch with the best of them. A lot of the times when he's screeching, I take it as that he wants out of the cage or he's bored. However, every time I go to let him out he freaks out and runs away or does everything he can to avoid me. We have a cat so I cant just leave his cage open. I will admit when we first got him right after he was weened I probably didnt handle him as much as I should have to get him accustomed...any ideas for me at this point?? I feel like I'm in a catch 22 with him.

Answer 1

It's never too late to socialize them. I got one who was 3 years old and had never been handled. Within a few days, I had her up on my finger easily and she'd ride on my shoulder.
They are generally quiet birds (compared to parrots or even parakeets) and when they're screeching, there is a reason. Have you checked to make sure he has clean fresh water and plenty of fresh food? Does he have toys to play with and a mirror so he can see how pretty he is?
What about setting up a time each day for the cat to be shut up in a bedroom with a few of his toys and open the cage door so your bird can choose to come out if he wants?
Hand feed him some treats (holding hot red pepper flakes in your palm) or wear a shiny ring on your finger to make him want to be near your hands. Don't think he's biting if he tastes your finger before he hops up, he's just making sure the new perch is stable for him.
Good luck with him, they're great birds.

Answer 2

Cockatiels do need company. If you don't handle him much, you should get him another cockatiel.
Aside from that, you just need to work with him. Clip his wings so he can't fly, and handle him every day, and talk to him frequently. Cockatiels like to see people eat, so if it's convenient, put him where he can.
I have birds and cats, and I shut the cats out of the room when I get the birds out, because even a bird with clipped wings can jump and flutter to the ground.