HELP! How do you tame a cockatiel?

Question

I just got a cockatiel from someone that didn't want him. They didn't spend any time with him or didn't know how old he was. He will bite really hard, and he won't let me get him out unless I grab him. But I have to put thick gloves on to even touch him. He also hisses at me and when I try to hold him, he will try to fly. I did clip his wings though. Will he ever get tame or is it too late? What can i do to tame him? Should I wait a while to mess with him since he is in a new place? Does he need a friend maybe? Should I let him live at my grandparents' house with their 2 cockatiels until he gets better?
Thank you!

Answer 1

My bird was the same way.

The first thing you need to know is taming is all about trust. You may find a rag or glove to help from the bites hurting so bad, but this could actually scare the bird. When you attempt to get it out of the cage, try to be in a small room with the window blinds closed so that he will not see it as a way out and hit the window. You also don't want to move the bird or cage out of his surroundings.

Once you get the bird out, just hold it and let it sit in the palm of your hand as it may feel insecure on your finger. When you are taming a bird, try not to have anything shiny that you are wearing (necklaces, earrings, etc.) When he seams to feel comfortable enough in your palm, use slow gestures as you are going to scratch his head or neck.

Eventually he'll become nice around you. When it whistles, don't whistle back, but instead talk to it. He will slowly attempt to mimic you. It isn't great for a beginner to handle more than one bird in the same cage, they will bond to the other bid instead of you.

A few more things about taming a bird:

*Their wings should be clipped
*A cage with a fairly large door is best
*You should work in a quiet surrounding
*Talk to them in a calm voice and never yell
*Move slowly
*If your bird does attempt to fly, pick it up with cupped hands
so that it will feel more secure

I am a bit new to this process as well, but this is what I've learned. My bird wants to be held all the time now and loves to cuddle around whenever he can. I have a couple birds. I have a cockatiel and also a cockatoo. Neither one has ever bitten me since they've been tamed. The only problem I ever had is that my cockatiel at first flew to the window. Even after I would close the curtains, it knew that that's where the window was.

The best advice you could ever get is that you be patient. This could take a week, this could take a few months. in my case, it took a couple weeks before he stopped completely biting. Now and then he doesn't want to be bother when my brother comes near his cage and he'll strike at him, but he would never bite me.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The cockatiel may be just scared. Leave him alone for a few days and let him get comfortable. Talk to him and pay attention to him but don't try to "grab him" or even open his cage for now. Since he was unwanted at the old home, and wasn't getting attention it may take some time for him to come around. The hissing is his way of saying "leave me alone" so for now, follow his lead. He'll get curious as time goes on.

After a few days, move the cage into an area where people tend to be, like the living room for example, so he gets used to being around people. Give him plenty of time and be patient. Basically, you are going to have to gain his trust and that will take time.

Answer 3

i have the same problem, i recently got a cockatiel from a friend. the bird doesnt seem to like me much so ive searched loads of sites looking for answers, and heres what 9 out of ten say
*make sure the cage is in a room where you spend alot of time, start by leaving the bird to adjust to new surroundings, hold off on trying to touch him for a couple of weeks and continue with daily routine of feeding etc, spend a bit of time near the cage, read a book next to it or something. talk gently to the bird, next step... when you feed him keep your hand inside the cage for as long as he will let you. most people say to train for short periods of time several times a day. once the bird is confortable with your hand in the cage try moving a little closer (slowly). if the bird hisses end the session, but dont tell the bird off, just leave and come back later, hopefully with enough patience and time u will be able to touch your bird soon, im hoping it will work for me, it seems to be working so far, slowly but surely... one month on lol, good luck

Answer 4

First the grabbing has got to stop cockatiels do not naturaly like to be held pet or grabbed at (it is some thing they do allow after they are trained and are trustingf of you)and it is only making things worse. If he is hissing that means that you are scaring him and he wants you to back off and you need to realise that he needs his boundries respected. While your grandparents amy have nice well behaved cockatiels you need to see that this bird was taught to trust as those were and is gonna need some time and space.

Answer 5

Cockatiels are brats!He needs for you to back off a bit,and move slowly.Moving him to another home isn't going to help teach him anything,I think the best option is for him to remain alone for now,he will teach the others his bratty behavior before you are able to train it out of him.For now,don't grab him.Talk to him every day,at the same time if you can.Allow him time to get used to you,and your home.Make sure he has a balanced diet,including Pellets,some seed(not much)and fruits/veggies.Figure out what his favorite food is,it's a BIG motivator.Some to try is millet spray and fresh Fennel.Once he seems calmer,say in a few weeks,hold out whatever he likes,and talk to him.Then leave the treat in his cage.You have to continue from there in small steps.Once he is eating from your hand,try to put it IN your hand until he is comfortable with that.Then you can teach him step-up,and step-down by gently sweeping your hand under him.Always ,always, praise him when he behaves.ANY misbehaving(hissing,biting motions)results in you terminating the training for that moment.Go back in a few hours and try again.It's going to take you weeks until you gain his trust,but the end result is worth it.Also,put his cage lower than you,and NEVER allow him on your shoulder.This teaches him that you are the one who is in charge.Hope that helps!!!

Answer 6

My aunt and uncle have a cockatiel for 18 years and ive learnt how they manage it sqwarking. merely use an empty spray bottle and fill it with water. whilst it wont end sqwaurking then merely spray it some circumstances. try this each time and it will discover ways to no longer sqwaurk as lots. additionally once you bypass to mattress at evening positioned a pillow or a sheet over the nicely suited of the cage, this could desire to calm it and end it from sqwarking at issues. wish ive helped =]

Answer 7

Spend time with him, don't force him to do anything. Be loving, gentle and take time to let him warm up. He may not become tame because you said your friend didn't spend any time with him. But, just keep working with him. If you do decide to take him to your grandparents, or to get another don't put him in the cage with the others, he will become protective and more loving to them (bond with the others) and still not like you, or he may even kill them.

Answer 8

We have one, and this is his 4th home. We have had him 7 years now. We let him do his thing, and he warmed up to us. Now, he wants to be held most of the time. I really don't think you train them, they train you. Just be kind, talk kind to him, do not grab him, and just watch how soon he will be "your bird". All birds will bite, I don't care how tame they are. that is their defense.

Answer 9

Well 1st thinks 1st... u will need a glove cuz biting hurts.... Then if u wanna teach it to talk you need a lot of patience!!! You need to be in a quite place and repeat words over and over... start with easy words like "hi" or " food"