If you have a cockatiel...

[Home77]

Is it a funny jolly one? DC have one inspired by Youtube clips of them doing peekaboo and cuddling their owners. Ours is quite grumpy (although loud and chatty) and tries to peck the if too close. It is early days but just wondered. I read online they can be a bit like cats and not all are cuddly.

[jarviscockatiel]

Yes, our cockatiel was hand reared - all of ours have been. Within an hour of us first bringing him home he was sitting in our laps eating kale and bonded with us instantly.
We had one who had his wings clipped just before we got him and I really wouldn't recommend it - he became very depressed. It was horrible to watch him desperately want to fly and not manage it.
Our current one has masses of toys but won't play with any of them as it's much more fun to chew the coffee table, mantelpiece, office desk, all our books......

[Butchyrestingface]

No. He’s a hissy, selfish, anti-social wee bastard. I can’t understand him at all. My other cockatiel was not like him. He’s like a wet weekend in Blackpool and always has been.

Doesn’t stop me loving him to distraction though. 🥰

[Magicpaintbrush]

I had a cockatiel for 25 years and she was such a character. It takes time and patience to earn their trust but once you have they will love you forever and are very affectionate. If your cockatiel is truly afraid of you or dislikes you it will draw blood when it pecks you - but sometimes they peck simply to communicate that they are annoyed by something and not because they want to hurt you - if they wanted to hurt you they would. They express their grumpy feelings by pecking/hissing and you just learn to understand their body language. Let them come to you, encourage them by talking and singing and whistling, let them whistle back and you will start to understand their mood by the whistles they make ie slightly nervous or wildly happy. If the bird is is skinny then leave it alone as that means it is nervous/scared - if it fluffs up it's happy. You can even tell when they are smiling by the contours of their cheeks feathers which sounds nuts but it's true. We got our cocktiel when I was 8 years old and we loved each other for 25 years, I remember her sitting at the top of my pregnant belly and nose-nuzzling me with her besk, she would literally sit there wuth her beak pressed against my nose, her way of cuddling, she often did that. She loved to be stroked - would gently peck if you stroked her in the wrong place - but if you did it right her eyes would flutter closed, she loved it. She would gently twizzle my earrings with her beak. She also used to sit their with one of her claws in her ear hole with a look of contentment on her face, so funny. She was totally devoted to her human family but any strangers would dice with death if they approached her, she would attack anyone she didn't know. When we first got her she was totally suspicious and bitey but after a while she grew to love us - she was wonderful and I miss her terribly.

[IJustLostTheGame]

My cockatiel would groom me for hours but didn't like fingers or toes. He would hiss and attack them.
He could also talk and whistle little tunes to me and didn't like being alone.
He was a grumpy little old man bird.

[Home77]

He is a lutino- sorry not very good with pictures / uploading, but like this..

www.google.com/search?q=lutino+cockatiel+pictures&client=safari&channel=mac_bm&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifpeu6qeTgAhWtURUIHcKHCeYQ_AUIDigB&biw=1177&bih=623

[sabriel2019]

I grew up with a lovely cockatiel and he was a lovely pet. He could be a bit grumpy sometimes and would hiss at strangers (particularly men) and the cat.

But he would also whistle the EastEnders theme tune, mimic the phone and tweet "Who's a pretty boy, then?'. He would hang upside down in his cage when he wanted some attention, loved being sprayed with lukewarm water from a plant mister during his cage cleaning and would sit on my head, pulling bits of hair up around him to make a little nest.

We're not sure how old he was when we got him- maybe a year? But he lived with my family for 24 years and was such a character. As others have said, lots of handling and attention will help. Train him to 'step up' from hand to hand or onto a stick/perch, which makes moving and transferring him easier.

Can we see a picture??

[Puddingmama2017]

My parrot has clipped wings currently ( was done by previous owners, I’ve had her less than 6 weeks) and is currently starting to learn to flap a little more. She’s come outside with me a couple of times recently (with the warm weather) for a little trip but I’ll be harness training her soon so this can continue when she can fly.

Throughly recommend Parrot wizard videos on YouTube. Using a lot of his stuff for training with mine. And planning on buying some of his products from his website for her.

[Enchomage]

2 more techniques that help,in early days,I have a small lightweight cage , that sits near their big cage,so they are used to it.It 's used so that I can hold it up to a bird perching and tell them to "step on".A piece of that tempting millet on top of it can help.Then carry them back to their own base.(it's how I rounded up that travelling canary)

Have a section of the roof of their own cage covered with a towel so they have a nice safe covered corner where they know hawks or whatever predators they imagine can't get them! Seriously it makes them feel extra good about their home,and happy to return to it.

If you really struggle to get them down or have a bird you are trying to round up from danger and can't see how, have a large soft cloth,a pillow case will do,gently drop it over them and quietly pick them up keeping their wings to their sides and carry them home.Give them a treat when they get there.

My parrot escape happened when I was unaware that I had a bird on top of my towelled head after shampooing my hair, I went to the back door and off went a conure.The taxi stick was my saviour.I stood under the apple tree and said,"not funny,taxi!" With beating heart.Down she came. Conures are jesters,she had to sit and run her beak along a branch and do her conure chuckle first.Now I routinely check for passengers.

[Enchomage]

When I have a new bird I get them to move onto a stick,a spare perch will do,they soon get used to the command "step up" as you approach it towards their legs,just a wee bit higher than a perch parallel to where they are sitting,if that makes sense?,so as you get nearer to them, their inclination is to step up onto the branch rather than stumble.Then you gently carry them still perched,to their cage.
Mine actually come now(launching themselves across the room, if I call "taxi" as they see it as transport to whatever interesting is going on!
You do have to be very disciplined about windows,but you'll get into a routine of windows shut before bird is out,I have mosquito mesh across the window in the room my birds are in so I can open it in hot summers.Otherwise it's make sure there is no access to any room with an open window.
P.m me if you like.My late father was a vet,I have had rescue and pet birds for more years than I will admit to.They are great pets,much smarter than dogs and cats,though I like them too.

[Home77]

We live in a city centre flat, would just keep the windows shut I guess.

he's been flying out twice and both times went up high and wouldn't go back in- we needed to pick him up and he squealed and bit, to go back (not very nice) not sure how to get him back in otherwise.

[Enchomage]

Here's a thought: if you are afraid you'll loose your bird because it escapes the house,here's where your helping it feels secure that its cage is a safe place to be comes in.
You cart the cage outside and place it in view.Most escapees don't go far,they are not prone to shooting off into unchartered territory.Birds are cautious beasts.
Let them return to base.
I have successfully rounded up a canary ,(the same escape artist twice!),a small parrot and a zebra finch in this way.
Your tame cockatiel will want to return to you.
I was once in a pet shop in the States where they had an escaped zebra finch flying about.All it took was to gently usher it towards his cage and his mates and be ready to swiftly open the hatch to let him back inside when he clung to the bars.You'll know that works.

[Enchomage]

Good for hesitating about wing clipping.
The world famous Dick Vet School in Edinburgh will not do it.

It is sadly, a brutal practice that maims a flighted creature by the very people who should be protecting it.They can't fly properly and safely with clipped wings,it's why they are clipped!To hamper flight.You would be stopping them from keeping themselves safe.That alone is stressing for a bird,it's an ongoing stress.

There is the risk of cutting blood feather which effectively open an artery and lets it flow like a tap.You can accidentally harm the bird while handling it ,or even kill it.

People will tell you "we've always done it"
That's no reason.
As Dr Johnston once said:"The longevity of an abuse should not excuse its continuence" !

Any other argument apart,there is simply no need for it.Let your little bird settle in calmly and enjoy the relationship you will build.

[Home77]

Thanks for the tip Echo about the vitamins - I will try and get some of that. He's been eating quite a bit of the new ball type food which is good. He does seem more perky today so wondering if this might help the eye as well.

I read they like brussels sprouts so got home a few at the market stall. I'm feeling a bit sorry he was a bit neglected while we were away attention wise also, so have been chatting to him today. He also enjoyed a youtube video of some birds (they have them 3 hours of birds for cockatiels!) as did the zebra finches as well (we have them in a seperate cage, a male and female).

Oh, I'm confused about the wing clipping, seems some mixed opinions there as our book says a very light clip can be helpful, so they can fly but not too much.

[Rowgtfc72]

We got Billybird off a friend of a friend when he was 15.
Took about a year but eventually he would put his head on your shoulder to be rubbed and he would lay flat in your hand while you tickled him.
He was that chilled a couple of times my mum went to put the washing out forgetting he was on her shoulder.
Favourite photo of him was in his cage in the garden with two cats snoozing underneath.
Didn't do too bad,he lived to 33.

[Enchomage]

Went to refresh food and water for my birds and thought:how could I not have said:
Easy management of vitamin needs:
Daily Essentials 1,powder added to the drinking water.

It contains Vits A,D3,E,C, also B1,B2,B6,B12,K,and essential minerals.They all seem to like it,it colours the water yellow.Just add the correct amount to 200 mls of water.There is also Daily essentials 3 but it goes onto food as I remember and I find it less simple to use.

I get mine on line,it's made by The Birdcare Company.E Bay prob. has suppliers,I go to Northern Parrots.They also do a huge range of different feeds,treats and endless toys.

[Enchomage]

Good for asking,and finding out all you can.
Like others have said:they are as individual as humans,and as prone to be in different moods.
Be patient,give him time to settle in,and it will take time.He has a lot to learn about his new home and the people.
He will have flown up high as it's natural behaviour to be safe and to have a vantage point.
His cage will also be a safe place,that he should be allowed to choose to retreat to (and not hauled out of to be company if he doesn't want to,not that you sound as if you would)
Please do not try to clip his wings.No vet would do it for you,it is literally crippling the bird and no longer done.You could also risk causing deep trauma and haemorrhage.He could justifiably fear you ever after.He needs his flight for safety.It's up to us to protect them against the risk of escape and of predators..Clipping used to be done to limit the risk of flying far if escaped.Not a good idea a cat could be just ready for a disabled bird.
The eye problem etc does sound like a vitamin deficiency.Spinach has vitamin a,dark greens are good.Seed diets are over fatty,(they love millet,but is is especially so,so is just as a treat) They need their seed mix to be balanced with fresh fruit and vegetables,or substituted for a reputable parrot mix.
You need a vet who can handle the needs of birds,not all can or do,so ask when you ring.
A bird who is not used to being handled,and a new owner who has not had to administer meds to a bird before may not be prescribed eye drops,nor actually need them if it's dietary.
Enjoy your bird!They are great pets.
Off to talk to my 2 small parrots,and try to distract the latest rescue budgie from endlessly and it seems gleefully, reciting what I exclaimed at him last night when he nipped me for not paying him enough heed !

[Home77]

Jarviscockateil did you have yours from quite young, does that help in taming them I wonder? What would you say was your best tip for starting with one (who is maybe a but timid)? Thanks.

[Home77]

Yes, frequency they can be a bit like toddlers I read. Funny and cute but demanding! Ours doesn't like hands- and goes for them...puts the DC off a bit. Trying to have them stop putting hands near and stay back a week bit for him to come to them.

[Home77]

We let him out and he climbed up high and sat on the top pf a cupboard all afternoon! Any thought on whether clipping the wings is better or not? I'm not sure how we would do it though as he hates being picked up.

I found some special fat / food balls we already have which are enriched in vitamin A and other vitamins. He wasn't keen on these I think, but have replaced the seed mix for today to see if he will eat some. he does like a piece of apple to eat in the side of the bars.

i wonder if there might be a spray for the conjunctivitis or drops to put in his water online. (to save the stress if the vets) or maybe can take a photo of him to show them! Not sure.

they do seem like sweet birds. Yes ours is a yellow colours with a yellow quiff and orange cheeks! My favourite call is a coo-ing one, but he also drums his beak at times on the perch. The children made him a house out of a box and we put it in the cage but he is very wary of that and seems to sleep in the branch. The other thing, he does like is a kind of cork log we bought for him which he likes to pull moss off- he doesn't seem to enjoy the little bells and others toys we got though.

Oh, he is eating the fat balls, good. His nose is also a bit funny so wonder if he has a slight infection, we were away over half term and not sure if water was changed as much. (did have someone looking after but not sure if as frequently as usual- twice a day is usual). he has a habit of sitting on it and using it as a toilet at times!- lovely.

[Frequency]

DD1's has anger issues. It spits seed at people when it doesn't get its own way but is very affectionate and charming when it is being given the attention it demands 24/7. We found that rotating toys so there was always something new in the cage minimised the seed spitting issue. DD2's is still a baby and in the process of being tamed.

[whatwouldyoubelikeat28]

They can be cheerful little fellows but hey are desperately full of energy and need lots of attention and affection, and can get very needy and shout if not given it. That said, they are not always cuddly, they may just want to be near you.
Seed based diets can amp them up, a bit like steroids for birds. A diet of mixed pellets, fresh fruits and veg, shells and cuttlefish etc, and lots of toys to play with will help keep them healthy and entertained.

[stayathomegardener]

My fine feathered friends.

[jarviscockatiel]

As my username suggests, I have a cockatiel - he's our fourth. They have all had huge personalities with our current one being the most intelligent. He's currently snuggled on my chest enjoying head rubs and beak kisses. He's generally very affectionate but when he's having a hormone surge he goes through periods of nasty biting. He's lots of fun - enjoys playing hide and seek behind curtains, whistles Happy Birthday to my toes and chews everything he can get his beak on. He is free to roam in the house and is not locked in his cage, yet chooses to spend his days sitting on our shoulders. We wouldn't be without one.

[Dieu]

Ohhh, are they the ones with the white quiff? I am hopelessly jealous (but have enough on with my existing pets!).
I have seen videos of them sitting on breakfast bars, throwing treats down to the dog! They're unfeasibly cute.

[Home77]

Ok, we do give him Millet as well as the seed mix, and things like apple and other foods also. I am dreading taking him to the vet and being told to put drops in his eye. He will panic at that and bite. Maybe we can get a spray or antibiotics to go in his food perhaps.