I GOT A NEW BIRD!!!

ilovemycockatiel · New member Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Texas

Yay! I finally got a new friend for my Esther May. His name is Lester Ray. He is a 7 month old pied Cockatiel. He was kinda scared at first with his new surroundings. I've been taking notes in my 'Journal of Observation'. Esther May likes him. They talk to each other sometimes. He really loves Sunflower seeds. He isn't very tame though. But he's young, so I'll give him some time. Pretty soon I think he will be a very happy cockatiel.
Can someone give me some tips on how to tame him more? I'd really like some else's point of view besides reading it in books. Thanks! K. 13, tx

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2224 Location: uk

Hi congratulations on your new cockatiel.

Have u placed your new bird in a new cage away from your female as he needs to kept away from her for 30days.

The more you talk softly to him and offer him treats like millet he will soon learn your not going to hurt him and he will start to trust you.

At 7months old he is at a good age to hand tame as he is not stuck in his ways and habits he may already have are easily broken.

Mike

ilovemycockatiels · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

Hey, I just got a new cockatiel too he is only 3 1/2 months old though and so far it is REALLY easy to tame him. What I do is get the bird out by putting your hand around his back and holding him close to your chest and just talk softly to him. Then after doing that until he is not flapping around trying to escape, gently put him on your finger. After he will sit there and not try to fly away, put your other finger to his chest and kind of force him onto it as you say step up, keep doing this and soon you will just have to put your finger in front of him and not even touch his chest. At the same time of doing all of this, keep talking softly to him and always be positive. Do not get mad at your bird if he does not cooperate. Always praise when he steps up. After he learns to step up you can get him from the cage by telling him "step up". All of this will take more than one day so don't rush him and let him get used to your voice to calm him down. Try to spend about 20-30 mins a day with him but 10 mins at a time. I hope it's easy for you to tame him, Good Luck!

Ashley

princessjen · New member Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: ontario

Let him get used to your hands, by feeding him sunflower seeds through is cage bars. Thats what I did.