Cockatiel Head Scratch

My cockatiel, Samson, asked for head scratch. I managed to use the same hand to hold him and scratch his head.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• cockatiel
• bird
• head
• scratch
• parrot

[saumanlo]

Birdie is sick these days after we moved to San Jose. The vet gave him some antibiotics. He is still chirping and singing on the way to the vet.

It is difficult to observe whether a bird is sick. From this I learn that I should find an experienced vet with birds.

[shadoweatsme23]

Could my cockatiel be nice if i got it untamed untrained cuz im trying my best

[saumanlo]

@shadoweatsme23 I'm not sure. It totally takes time. I've been reading articles about how to have a "restart" with your bird on bird talk magazine. Don't force your tiel. Just sit next to him and read a book. You can talk to him. You can let him sit on your shoulder (be careful of the droppings. I put a towel or old t-shirt on my shoulder before he got on my shoulder. Now, he is potty trained. )

[saumanlo]

@shadoweatsme23 Also you can read his body language. If he is getting a little bit aggressive, try not to get closer. He needs to trust you enough to let you scratch his head.

[gorillazhead]

I actually have 3 cockatiels, one grey one names Coco.

He's still kinda weary because I have an 8 year old sister.

Occasionally, he'll be out on top of his cage, when I try to get him to pearch on my figner, he lunges.

But if he's at a lower level, say my couch, he'll hop up without a problem.

His wings aren't clipped, so he flies around until he lands on something lower.

Should I get his wings clipped for him to be friendlier?

[saumanlo]

@gorillazhead @gorillazhead Actually, maybe your bird never gets used to be around you. I suggest you to trim its wings (take it to a vet.) After that, let the bird to sit on your shoulder (be careful of the poop...) or the back of a chair. It may start playing with your hair. That's how I teach my aunt's bird, and it was playing with my hair in 2 days after I did that.

[gorillazhead]

I got a lot of comments....

Coco's been incredibly loveable the past 2 weeks, and I'm just now getting the oldest, a wild grey named Tommy, to perch on my arm, though he shortly jumps off and runs away.

I've actually found out from my Gram why Coco was easier to tame than Tommy, Coco's only 5 years old, and Tommy's close to 15-16.

[saumanlo]

@gorillazhead Actually, maybe your bird never gets used to be around you. I suggest you to trim its wings (take it to a vet.) After that, let the bird to sit on your shoulder (be careful of the poop...) or the back of a chair. It may start playing with your hair. That's how I teach my aunt's bird, and it was playing with my hair in 2 days after I did that.

[gorillazhead]

@saumanlo I've pretty much been doing most of this for 3-3 1/2 months now.

I think their old owners never socialized with them before, so maybe it's too late.

[saumanlo]

@gorillazhead

Some people may use treats to train their birds. However, my cockatiel doesn't like treat that much. He loves mirrors, praises and head scratches. If I am holding his toy mirror and pretend talking to the bird inside the mirror, he comes to me and talks to the mirror as well.

Try moving slowly when you get closer to the bird. You can sit next to the birds so that they feel comfortable with you. You can read a book or sing a song to the birds. Try to make them to get used to you.

[saumanlo]

@gorillazhead

For the wing clipping problem, I am not sure about that. I got my cockatiel from my friend, he clipped his wings before. But now my bird just doesn't allow me to do that. I just let him fly around when I am home. I put him back to the cage when I am not home. It works pretty well for amost 2 years already. My aunt has a cockatiel as well. However, the bird is not friendly at all. My aunt clipped its wings all the time. That's why I am not sure whether it will help.