Will he be okay alone?

My cockatiel is a complete velcro bird, which I am 100% okay with don't get me wrong, however, there becomes a point where too much is just too much. Bentley is on me CONSTANTLY and will refuse to go back to his (I think it is a he at least!) cage unless there is a millet sprig or if it is his bedtime. I will get him in there sometimes and he will be content for about ten minutes before he screams his little head off. The same thing goes for when I leave my room, he'll chirp until I come back. We do a little flock call, he chirps and I whistle, which sometimes keeps him quiet, but nonetheless he wants to be on me consistently.

I do not reward him with outside time while he is screaming. I love him very much and if I could have him with me 24/7, I would. However, I am trying to get him used to not being on me constantly as of right now. Unfortunately with the COVID-19 scare, I am stuck to working at home, which of course is free reign for Bentley to be with his momma all day. However, a time will come when I do have to return to work, leaving him all alone.

I love this bird and I know he loves me. I am constantly being "preened" by him, we're sharing fruits and all I hear in my ear is consistent beak grinding, lol.

I am considering possibly getting him a friend when it comes to that time, or now since I have so much time off and can watch them closely and manage the different cages. I have only had this bird for five days though. He is obsessed with me which I am SO glad for, it's like a dream and I want to keep this bond. But I am worried he will become a little more stressed for when I have to leave and work and when he's all alone by his little self.

Am I just overthinking? Is this how most birds are and will he be fine alone? I have never been this close with a bird.

He sits like this when he wants me to take him out and just whistles, lol.

You are fortunate to have established a close bond with Bentley in just 5 days! There is a concept of "over bonding" which can lead to deep disappointment if it progresses to him seeing you as mate. The good news is you have time during this "honeymoon" process to set limits that are ultimately in his best interest.

Teaching a bird to self-entertain is enhanced by a cage full of toys, and your absence for periods of time. Reward positive behaviors and ignore (or don't react) the bad. Birds often enjoy music and are quite visual with TV.

What do you know of his history? Unless he came directly from a breeder, you may know little of past challenges. In any case, he's a handsome bird!!

You do need to set firmer boundaries and build independence. By over-indulging that bond, you will set him up for failure. Now he will struggle when you try to wean him off of all of that attention, so it will have to be done gradually and consistently...a friend probably isn't the answer (rarely is).
Try to prevent screaming by talking to him when you walk out of sight. If he starts screaming but you had already made your presence known, do not return to the room and do not call back (as you already were calling and it is likely an attempt to get you to return at that point).
I started my cockatoo off at 10 seconds of total silence after screaming started. If she screamed at all, 10 seconds would restart and I would not return or reply until she was quiet for the solid 10. NOW----AGAIN, birds are flock animals and will call for you, but that is why you can call back to them as long as they aren't screaming or having a tantrum. My bird's tantrum scream is a lot different from her "scared" scream, so you do have to feel it out, but they are smart and will notice if screaming gets your attention.
Also, try attending to sounds that you prefer-- so if he/she says "HI" you can run in and praise.
Start off showing him that you can be gone for a few seconds and that he is still safe/okay.
Also-- narrate what you are doing (I use the phrase: "going to the store" if I will only be gone for 1-2 hours, and "going to work" if it's going to be like 5+ --it really has helped my Too gain a sense of time...I know this because she gets pissed when I tell her I am going to work lol.

Since he is young, he just needs more hands on time, and as he us new to your home same thing.

But you can do lots of little in the cage for a minute, then back out, repeated a bunch. This gets them used to the idea that the cage doesn't mean he is stuck in there for a long time. Play a little music, go ahead and give him a snack for now, and work up to a half hour at time in the cage. Spend some time sitting with him in the cage and the door open, while you play with his toys, and sometimes give a little scratch. Teaching him the cage is positive.

Scott said:

You are fortunate to have established a close bond with Bentley in just 5 days! There is a concept of "over bonding" which can lead to deep disappointment if it progresses to him seeing you as mate. The good news is you have time during this "honeymoon" process to set limits that are ultimately in his best interest.

Teaching a bird to self-entertain is enhanced by a cage full of toys, and your absence for periods of time. Reward positive behaviors and ignore (or don't react) the bad. Birds often enjoy music and are quite visual with TV.

What do you know of his history? Unless he came directly from a breeder, you may know little of past challenges. In any case, he's a handsome bird!!

Click to expand...

I got him from a pet store and the man who hand raised him met me there. Trying to avoid the over bonding and we are working on boundaries.

noodles123 said:

You do need to set firmer boundaries and build independence. By over-indulging that bond, you will set him up for failure. Now he will struggle when you try to wean him off of all of that attention, so it will have to be done gradually and consistently...a friend probably isn't the answer (rarely is).
Try to prevent screaming by talking to him when you walk out of sight. If he starts screaming but you had already made your presence known, do not return to the room and do not call back (as you already were calling and it is likely an attempt to get you to return at that point).
I started my cockatoo off at 10 seconds of total silence after screaming started. If she screamed at all, 10 seconds would restart and I would not return or reply until she was quiet for the solid 10. NOW----AGAIN, birds are flock animals and will call for you, but that is why you can call back to them as long as they aren't screaming or having a tantrum. My bird's tantrum scream is a lot different from her "scared" scream, so you do have to feel it out, but they are smart and will notice if screaming gets your attention.
Also, try attending to sounds that you prefer-- so if he/she says "HI" you can run in and praise.
Start off showing him that you can be gone for a few seconds and that he is still safe/okay.
Also-- narrate what you are doing (I use the phrase: "going to the store" if I will only be gone for 1-2 hours, and "going to work" if it's going to be like 5+ --it really has helped my Too gain a sense of time...I know this because she gets pissed when I tell her I am going to work lol.

Click to expand...

This ten-second rule sounds good, I'll definitely work on that! I always narrate what I do, lol, so hopefully he will pick up on it and timing. :11:

Laurasea said:

Since he is young, he just needs more hands on time, and as he us new to your home same thing.

But you can do lots of little in the cage for a minute, then back out, repeated a bunch. This gets them used to the idea that the cage doesn't mean he is stuck in there for a long time. Play a little music, go ahead and give him a snack for now, and work up to a half hour at time in the cage. Spend some time sitting with him in the cage and the door open, while you play with his toys, and sometimes give a little scratch. Teaching him the cage is positive.

Click to expand...

Cage time! I really need him to know that everything that I have set up in there is for him to chew on/destroy and its FUN... he's figured that out with maybe two toys so I will show him the rest, lol. It took me a while to even introduce food/water bowls.

nanachi said:

Scott said:

You are fortunate to have established a close bond with Bentley in just 5 days! There is a concept of "over bonding" which can lead to deep disappointment if it progresses to him seeing you as mate. The good news is you have time during this "honeymoon" process to set limits that are ultimately in his best interest.

Teaching a bird to self-entertain is enhanced by a cage full of toys, and your absence for periods of time. Reward positive behaviors and ignore (or don't react) the bad. Birds often enjoy music and are quite visual with TV.

What do you know of his history? Unless he came directly from a breeder, you may know little of past challenges. In any case, he's a handsome bird!!

Click to expand...

I got him from a pet store and the man who hand raised him met me there. Trying to avoid the over bonding and we are working on boundaries.

Click to expand...

The good news is Bentley was well socialized and begins from a very good position. So many have to contend with fear, biting, aggression, etc. You are both in a really enviable position!!

OMG he certainly looks a sweetie.