New cockatiel

Hello everyone! I don't know who saw my post about the cockatiel with the eye defect and who didn't but I wanted to quickly come on and say that I got him! He is very sweet but will definitely need some work. I decided to get him because the lady that I got him from was saying that if I wasn't able to take him he would probably have to be put down as her health was worsening.
He is nervous when I try to pet his head ( which I find weird because that is typically where cockatiels like to me pet and scratched) But he is okay with the rest of his body being pet. Do some cockatiels just prefer their bodies being scratched instead of their heads? Also all I have read ever has been "If a bird bites you, ignore it." But lately I've been reading that you should sternly say "No". I'm now not sure how to go about his bites because I'm not sure what is better. I am nervous to tell him no when he bites since I've always read that, that reinforces it and they like the attention.
What is the best thing to do? It honestly wasn't the best time to be taking on a cockatiel but, I fell in love with him and I had to save him. I couldn't see a healthy young cockatiel be put down. ( There aren't any shelters or rescues in this state so that is why he would've ended up being put down.)
Here he is! (They took this one)

I’m glad you took the little guy! It sounds like he needed a loving home. He’s pretty new to you, so it’s likely he’ll get more into head scratches as you guys build some trust. I think as you get to know him and he settles in, it will be easier to see what works for discouraging biting. My conures - “no” didn’t work, but setting them down for a few minutes and ignoring them somewhere that isn’t exciting seems to get the point across. I often set them on a chair back where there’s no toys or on my knee and ignore for a minute. Personally I don’t use the cage as a punishment - I shun them for a few minutes instead. Looking forward to hearing more about him as you get settled! I want a cockatiel so badly myself but haven’t run into an opportunity where one needs a home yet

Cockatiels have always been one of my favorites along with green cheeks

You are one of my heroes. And the heartless and/or careless breeder, well...

I am so happy for you and your new darling.

Thanks for sharing!

P.S. Was there a picture? Did I miss it?

Another P.S.
It's on this thread....
http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatiels/72015-cockatile-has-one-eye-smaller.html

SHunning ! Great way to put it. A chair back is a really good place to put him , turn you back to him - no eye contact - for a minute. He will get the message. Thats exactly what I do when Salty gets a bit too overloaded when we are playing.

Give your Cockatiel time, always work at the birds pace, not yours.

Yes indeed! Thank you for taking in this sweet little handicapped guy!

Like everyone has said,just give him time to settle in and start to feel safe that he is with you to STAY!
I only have experience with one cockatiel,my little BB. He was only 4.5 months old when he came home to live with me and Amy.
The breeder I got him from did an awesome job in helping him socialize.He was already tame,climbing my arm and sitting on my shoulder the very first day..and YES he is a head scratching addict :52:

Give your new little buddy some time. Show him you love him. Talk to him calmly.As soon as he feels safe that you're not going to eat him he'll come around!

As far as the biting goes,I'm lucky on that point also. The only time BB really "bites" is when he gets worked up when we thumb wrestle
I don't even consider it a bite..at least...not compared to an AMAZON :52:



Jim

ALL of the above with a double helping of patience. Lil birdie is stressed in his new home... new family.. etc. When I pet any bird I ask first. They learn shortly that your intent and will bow the head. If a bird indicates a no... I don't push the issue. Myself...Im big on communication...teaching them what simple words and phrases means and also pay attention to what they are trying to tell me in "bird"... with that comes a bit of mutual respect.
Fantastic you are giving this lil one a loving home. I was in a similar situation and took one in that shortly became a total joy to us. I wish you the same. Good luck!!

Time, time, and he will be ok! I’m so happy for you, these babies are so sweet and loyal.

Simply you're my hero too! Nice!

Petting - please only keep pets to the head region only. If he doesn't like you petting his head, then don't push it. Give him time to settle in first! Petting on the body could indicate you want to mate with him and well.... I don't think those are the kind of signals you want to give to your bird!!!

Biting - neither. The only bite that can't be rewarded is the bite that never occurs. Biting can be rewarding in and of itself. Try to avoid putting your bird in a situation where he feels the need to bite. Learn to read his body language.

If you do get bit, get him off you and try and think how you could avoid the bite in the future. How could you approach the situation differently? How could you ask him something differently? How could you reward desired behaviors?

I wanna see! post pics! Whats wrong with his eye? The picture you posted is just an "X"

oh nevermind. I right clicked, properties and just went to the link. weird that it didn't show up on my computer.... anyways that's a girl. or a baby. Whats up with her eye?

Also, do you know her age?

I use the "no" and ignore the bite meaning no jerking away. If you jerk away the bird learns when they bite, you back away. You want the bird to realize "well, biting is not working" and they will move on. Bites don't bother me but then again I don't have a macaw or cockatoo. those bites surely require a jerking motion and loud "OW" lol. Anyways, if you ignore the bites they learn that it doesn't get the reaction they are looking for. I'm sure it doesn't always work though.

YUMgrinder said:

I use the "no" and ignore the bite meaning no jerking away. If you jerk away the bird learns when they bite, you back away. You want the bird to realize "well, biting is not working" and they will move on. Bites don't bother me but then again I don't have a macaw or cockatoo. those bites surely require a jerking motion and loud "OW" lol. Anyways, if you ignore the bites they learn that it doesn't get the reaction they are looking for. I'm sure it doesn't always work though.

Click to expand...

Biting is a form of communication... it would be the equivalent of a human screaming at someone for ignoring them.


Ignoring doesn't always work, since biting can be self rewarding. There are better ways to deal with biting than ignoring the behavior.

Thank You! I knew I had to save him when I saw him. She was crying when I picked him up. I could tell she truly did not want to get rid of him. She had very bad health but I agree that she should've never considered getting him put down. He is already becoming a sweetheart! He's very loving!

MonicaMc said:

YUMgrinder said:

I use the "no" and ignore the bite meaning no jerking away. If you jerk away the bird learns when they bite, you back away. You want the bird to realize "well, biting is not working" and they will move on. Bites don't bother me but then again I don't have a macaw or cockatoo. those bites surely require a jerking motion and loud "OW" lol. Anyways, if you ignore the bites they learn that it doesn't get the reaction they are looking for. I'm sure it doesn't always work though.

Click to expand...

Biting is a form of communication... it would be the equivalent of a human screaming at someone for ignoring them.


Ignoring doesn't always work, since biting can be self rewarding. There are better ways to deal with biting than ignoring the behavior.

Click to expand...

so your way is better than my way why? It works on ALL my birds. so... I'll just keep doing it my way thanks though for chiming in. You didn't even offer an alternative, you just said my way is wrong. calling me wrong isn't adding to the conversation.

YUMgrinder said:

MonicaMc said:

YUMgrinder said:

I use the "no" and ignore the bite meaning no jerking away. If you jerk away the bird learns when they bite, you back away. You want the bird to realize "well, biting is not working" and they will move on. Bites don't bother me but then again I don't have a macaw or cockatoo. those bites surely require a jerking motion and loud "OW" lol. Anyways, if you ignore the bites they learn that it doesn't get the reaction they are looking for. I'm sure it doesn't always work though.

Click to expand...

Biting is a form of communication... it would be the equivalent of a human screaming at someone for ignoring them.


Ignoring doesn't always work, since biting can be self rewarding. There are better ways to deal with biting than ignoring the behavior.

Click to expand...

so your way is better than my way why? It works on ALL my birds. so... I'll just keep doing it my way thanks though for chiming in. You didn't even offer an alternative, you just said my way is wrong. calling me wrong isn't adding to the conversation.

Click to expand...

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatiels/72043-new-cockatiel.html#post688086



http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

MonicaMc said:

YUMgrinder said:

MonicaMc said:

Biting is a form of communication... it would be the equivalent of a human screaming at someone for ignoring them.


Ignoring doesn't always work, since biting can be self rewarding. There are better ways to deal with biting than ignoring the behavior.

Click to expand...

so your way is better than my way why? It works on ALL my birds. so... I'll just keep doing it my way thanks though for chiming in. You didn't even offer an alternative, you just said my way is wrong. calling me wrong isn't adding to the conversation.

Click to expand...

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatiels/72043-new-cockatiel.html#post688086



http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

Click to expand...

Monica, it's not always possible to avoid a bite. Every single person here has been nailed by their bird and I'm sure you're aware of baby birds not knowing how hard their bite is, which they need to be told what is acceptable with their beaks.

I understand what you mean saying that you should avoid making a bird bite but say for many people who have nippy birds who will nip for attention or because they're grumpy or because they're trying to preen you and close their beak too hard they do need to be told. My Conure was a prime example, he would nip and pinch too hard not for his amusement or to shout at me or anything but merely because he was playing or showing affection and didn't understand his beak was hurting, the bite training of shunning is something that they do in the wild.

May I suggest politely to take a look at your posts when you talk about this as to just state that everyone is wrong for being bitten serves no real purpose and can be pretty aggravating for people to just have it repeated to them

Im just a dumb old man, but myself, I understand trying to avoid the triggers that can get you bit. But if I avoided them all I would not have much of a friendship with my critters... example... just offering a treat to lil Booger, his "defend the food" instinct could kick in and instead of taking the treat he might latch on to your finger instead. Not his fault, he just got his lil wires crossed. Over time we worked it out but the potential was always there. I understood why he did what he did and didn't make an issue of it... bites became less frequent but if I did get nailed I too just ignored it.

I'm glad that little guy is with you now. Tiel are special birds and he's even more special! Very good that he's settling in and being loving and sweet. I ignore when Baby "bites" which is more of a soft nodge from being overstimulated (directing to some other distractions then) or just some molty moodiness. Or misdirecting when feeding. He rarely bites. Before he used to do fly attacks but things have much improved and we have a great bond!

indeed your pic of Baby brings back 20 odd y.o. memories of a special lil tiel my wife spotted ground feeding in the neighbors back yard. Using very slow motions and every ounce of birdie charm I could muster I managed to catch him. One special sweet natured lil tiel that just oozed sweetness. Pretty lil face was about twin of your Baby.

Aint it awesome that there is a forum like this folks can exchange ideas and experiences of these wonderful creatures. In my birdie heydays there was such limited knowledge on them and much of it was dead wrong. I remember an authority on cockatoos recommending "taming " a difficult bird with sessions wrapping them in a towel until they cease to struggle. Thank goodness we are beyond that kind of bs.