Taming pet store cockatiel

Isabelle505 · May 23, 2017

Hey everyone! I don't have a bird of my own (but I would like to get one soon

) but I have recently started working at a pet store. I know alot of people here have bad opinions of pet stores, but I want to do my best to help keep the animals happy.

Anyways, at this store we have a cockatiel who is SUPER skittish, I've already begun to work with some parakeets (some will even step up), but she won't let anyone get anywhere near her, and when we go to feed her she hisses. I'm told that she was bonded to another bird who was sold and this made it worse. I know she must be lonely, and I just want her to be happy. So any tips on getting her to warm up to people?

IndySE · May 24, 2017

In a petstore environment that will be hard since birds usually closely bond to their flock and if her flock is always changing, then she probably feels a bit lost and alone

Some birds are very extroverted and like new people, but sounds like this birdie is more reserved.

I'd recommend, at a non-busy time when no one is around (maybe after hours, or in the evening even when she's sleepy), approaching very slowly and talking soothingly. If she permits you to approach the edge of her cage without hissing, drop a piece of millet. The hardest part may be approaching slowly enough so she doesn't hiss. I wouldn't give her a treat if she hisses, because that's reinforcing a negative mind-set.

Good luck !

Isabelle505 · May 25, 2017

Thank you! I'll definitely try that and see what I can do. It gets very slow at night so trying then would be a good idea

Taming pet store cockatiel

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