Taming my cockatiel

Feeding my pied cockatiel, Toby, millet. I've had him for a week, now, and he is just getting warmed up to me. It takes patience, but I'm making progress. After I'm sure he's comfortable with eating from my hand, I'll work on getting him to step up for millet.

UPDATE! Two weeks of taming led to him getting right up on my hand. Just be patient and constantly assure the bird that you mean him/her no harm and they you are a friend. Once you earn your bird's trust, he/she will LOVE you!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• cockatiel
• taming
• tame
• bird
• millet
• spray
• parrot
• train
• training
• pied

[davbellisario7]

He will only whiste and be very vocol if its a male ... and i just bought a new cokaties an hour ago that was hand fed but hes very frightened of me ? should i try this method ? like he bit my dad and started bleeding in the pet store

[wordmatthew]

@davbellisario7

At 8 months old and been with me for 3 months, he is whistling and chirping up a storm! :)

Part 1: As for your bird, I would suggest not trying to handle him for about 3 or 4 days. Whoever you want the bird to be familiar with, have them sit in front of the cage 3-4 times a day at about 10-15 minutes a piece and just talk softly to the bird. After that, open the cage and rest your empty hand inside the cage while you talk with the bird.

[wordmatthew]

@davbellisario7

Part 2: Next, rest your hand in the cage with a treat the bird likes, (my bird likes sunflower seeds as treats). Gradually get your hand closer and closer, but definitely taking your time and constantly talking softly with your bird. You want to establish your relationship with the bird as a non-threatening member of it's flock. Once it is eating from your hand, you want to try getting it to step up on your finger, this may take some time, but eventually it will work.

[wordmatthew]

@davbellisario7

Part 3: I used a short wooden dowel rod as a perch held in my hand, once he was comfortable stepping on the perch, I started using my finger. Once they're comfortable getting on your finger, the rest is smooth sailing. Mine started letting me pet him on the head immidiately after he was comfortable on my finger. Just remember, every GOOD thing your bird does, reward with a treat. The bird will soon get the hang of this! Just remember, patience is the key. Hope this helps

[tsoppannos]

@wordmatthew i can get my birds get on my finger and everything u say but when i let them outside of the cage they rarerly come to me.

[wordmatthew]

@tsoppannos

Mine use to do that, as well. Actually, he still does sometimes. I think they see it as more of a freedom and don't wanna come to you as quickly. Just make sure you give him a treat whenever he does an action you want him to do. That will let him know that every time he comes to your hand, he gets a treat. It's always a positive thing for him and he'll want to do it more. Hope this helps! :D

[7archers]

I just got one and know hardly anything about them. My wife got it for my birthday. I have to ask, when they bite does it really hurt or is it just a pinch? when can I let her out of her cage?

[nathanmorris91]

lol this was funny hope you tammed him, i can hold he always flies to ya an averything hes so tame

[TRCtru3]

Nice vid you should be getting more veiws.

[dalsch]

@wordmatthew Most probably that's why he's quiet. I have a great video of SweetiePie whistling that you could show him also. I will post a video response to your video. ( PS - you don't have to whistle your heart out to get him to whistle - but that's cute). Whistling will come natural to him.