Cranky old bird

We're still waiting for a Meyers parrot, so in the meantime, we took over what I consider a rescue tiel. A yellow mail with gray and white wings. The former owners thought he was about 8 or 9 years old. They said they had to get rid of him because the hubby thought he was too noisy. He's been very quiet with us so far.

We've had him for two days and being patient with him as he gets set in his new digs in my den (same cage and toys).

He's a gentle bird, unless you get in his space. They advised that sticking my hand in the cage would only cause him to run around. They are correct. The only way to get him out of his cage is to use the former owner's technique of using a wooden toy ladder. He'll sometimes hop on.

He'll hop on our shoulders and loves to play with my wife's jewelry. But he doesn't like to be touched.

This could be a long test for man and bird.

I think I found a solution. I moved him out of the den and into the dining room. He chirped up right away.

As I came in here to delete spam I felt compelled to reply to your post, there are a few things that I would like to advise you about.

Our birds cage placement is an important decision. Remember that birds are, by nature, flock animals and they need their flock to be comfortable. Placing their cages where they can see almost everything going on within the household will make them feel much more at ease than isolating them in a quiet room (which is what you might think they actually want). Also, please be understanding that it will take a couple of weeks for your new 'teil to get a feeling of the "routine" in the house, birds do very well once you have established a routine with them ... they will pick up on the flow of events in your home. Know when certain things should happen (breakfast time, cuddle time, bath time, etc.) and there will be comfort for them in those events.

Someone thought that 'teils were too noisy ... HA! Try having a couple of conures ... or a 'too *shudder* or even a Macaw ... now THOSE are loud ...