Troubles, Troubles

Well, I just have no idea what to do here. I have one cockatiel that we found in the backyard about a month and a half ago. I think someone just let him go for whatever reason. No one ever looked for him. So, we took him in. I still have yet to have taken him to the vet, I'm sure that should have been my first step. But, I just haven't had the money yet with my car breaking down and all.

He still seems pretty young, looks like he was going through his first molt. Was missing his feathers on his neck and has yet to grow them back. By the reading I've done, this doesn't seem normal, is it? I figured he would have at least started growing his feathers back in on his neck by now.

I did end up ordering Taming Training and Tricks. Was having some screaming problems. That seems to be good now. I was also training him to get him more use to my hands so I didn't have to chase him around the cage all over just to pick him up. That went well...and when we were done, I really was at a loss of what to do next. So, I quit training him. Now...he seems to have reverted back to his old ways of running around the cage from me and flapping his wings and everything.

We also let him sit on our shoulders sometimes, but everytime we do...he just gets really fussy, grumpy, and nippy. If he decides he doesn't like the way you moved or whatever (even with me just sitting here typing this) he reaches and bites my ear and makes little screeching noises in it. I'm not sure what's going on with him. He seems to be getting more grumpy everyday and I'm not sure how to handle it and it frustrates me.

I don't want to get rid of him, I want to work through it..but if anyone could help me out in this situation I would be really grateful. He just still seems to be scared of us in ways...especially the hands. Not sure why unless his previous owner did something to him. Not sure how long it takes cockatiels to get over stuff like that and learn to trust us, though. He never really bites hard but he sure hates us moving our hands around him now. Even after the training. He got better, then worse.

We just really need some help! I'll stop rambling now...but I sure hope someone can help me out!

Hi and again welcome to the forum, its hard to say what the birds past may have been, its very possible that you may have an escaped breeder, I only say that by a couple of things you said in your post, the missing feathers may have come from an overzealous mate plucking him/her for nesting material, the bird doesn't seem to to be used to hands or human interaction, and constant screaming, Cockatiels are social flocking birds, when they lose sight of the flock they will often become very vocal, its their way of trying to regain contact with the flock, all that being said it could be as you stated, someone may have let it go, or it may just be an escaped pet, and unfortunatly in a worst case scenario it could be that the bird is ill, whatever the case may be the first thing you'll have to do before any training will be successful is to gain the birds trust, this is something that make take a bit of time, and certainly a lot of patience , its not something that can be rushed and if done wrong could ruin any chance of a good relationship in the future, I'll sit back and let others give their opinions and advise on gaining a birds trust, if theres not much response I'll weigh back in......Good Luck

It can take a lot of time for a Fid to become totaly relaxed, and this is only with the right people. It sounds to me like you are doing OK and just need to give it time.
Just sit talking to him and offer treats. Stepping up I am not good at.
At the rescue I do have to grab in the cage. I do this at a gentle pace, so they do not get agitated. If they get overly stressed I will walk away.
Biting I cannot help you with. Most of what I get at the rescue, is light pecking or nibbling.
Ok the lorries can make a small hole without trying.
But I have only taken three real bites, one big bite, and was from Pandis SC2.
The other two were 'Panic Bites' and they were mean clamp down and do not let go bites. These were both from cockatiels.
I am not sure no Time Outs, but if it bites, tell it NO and return it to the cage for a bit.
I am sure someone will be along to help you more.

Well, I'll weigh in...

If it were me, I'd start over. Talk to him, give him treats, just be with him quietly and gently. I wouldn't focus on training as such, until he trusts you. I also wouldn't allow him on the shoulder, until he's predictable. Sit with him, with the cage door open, and if he chooses to come out, great! If he doesn't, wait. Go forward at the birds pace...he'll let you know when he's ready for more.