New cockatiel / dislikes water (?)

Hey guys!! I’ve adopted a cockatiel yesterday - he’s around 7 months (that’s what i’ve been told)

He was all covered in dust and dirt when I got him though. I put out some water for him to bath but he didn’t use it, he disliked the spray bottle as well but I still gently sprayed him to get rid of the dirt around his beak and clogged nose..

But I don’t want to force anything, I want him to enjoy bathing and don’t want any negativity associated with me

His nails are also really long and seem to bother him, he can’t roam in his cage properly but the vets are closed

I trim my birds nails (only when they seem so bother them) but I want to take it easy with this guy and give him some time, I already sprayed him and don’t want to do everything at once as it might stress him out


Besides that he is doing well, he loves cuddling and he loves to pree our hair etc.. really surprised at how sweet and comfortable this guy is as its only been one day

I did notice that he hasn’t eaten much.. I prepared fresh veggies and fruit along with some seeds and millets (i need to figure what he likes.. he was at a horrible breeder before and never even had any greens!!) but he seems to just nip at them and then ignore them.. he hasnt drank any water either but he ate some water filled fruits

He also seems to be moulting, he has bald spots on his head and around his wings and this guy sleeps a LOT! is that normal? when he’s awake he is sleepy but vocal with a lot of head bopping but he spend these 2 days just sleeping away


I havent introduced him to my other birds yet as i’m isolating him from them until i have an opportunity to see a vet

Yes- quarantine for at least a month and be very careful (as many birds can appear to be healthy, and live as such, while spreading deadly disease).

I would give her AT LEAST 2 weeks before even thinking about pushing the bath thing--she made it this far....

Frankly, 2 weeks may not be long enough. My cockatoo didn't like me for 3 months....and that was me doing (mostly) everything right.

noodles123 said:

Yes- quarantine for at least a month and be very careful (as many birds can appear to be healthy, and live as such, while spreading deadly disease).

I would give her AT LEAST 2 weeks before even thinking about pushing the bath thing--she made it this far....

Frankly, 2 weeks may not be long enough. My cockatoo didn't like me for 3 months....and that was me doing (mostly) everything right.

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The thing is that I needed to clean him up because she was filled with dirt while moulting, he still has some

He does seem to be social and until now he likes us, so I don’t want to do everything at once as he might dislike me after

I am fairly confident he will come around but no birds are promised to like others in captivity, so if, after the quarantine, he isn't accepted, you will just have to care for him on his own (making sure to give him plenty of attention etc)

noodles123 said:

I am fairly confident he will come around but no birds are promised to like others in captivity, so if, after the quarantine, he isn't accepted, you will just have to care for him on his own (making sure to give him plenty of attention etc)

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They’ve met him from a distance and so far everything is ok, I often foster birds so they’re used to new faces

I really do want to figure out how to clean this guy up though

VDosky said:

noodles123 said:

I am fairly confident he will come around but no birds are promised to like others in captivity, so if, after the quarantine, he isn't accepted, you will just have to care for him on his own (making sure to give him plenty of attention etc)

Click to expand...

They’ve met him from a distance and so far everything is ok, I often foster birds so they’re used to new faces

I really do want to figure out how to clean this guy up though

Click to expand...

I'd just give him time....You have not built trust thus far. Also- head and neck petting only and no shadowy places---It's very bad for them in terms of hormones.

If you've only had him for a day, and you say you got rid of whatever dust or dirt was around the beak & nares, then you probably want to hold off a while. It will take him a few days to take in his new surroundings.

When he starts to seem like, possibly, ready -- then start easy first by just offering water again. Next by using a really gentle mister, perhaps aiming at yourself & just getting him with a little overspray, making a big show of enjoying preening yourSelf after you've been a little bit sprayed.

What I also do with mine, I designate part of each cage as a "no-spray" zone. So the bird can always escape the spray when they're done. I start of with the bird getting only a tiny bit of spray, and then continue spraying only into one corner of their area, so they can move into or out of the water as they choose. That way it is less scary because they can control whether to get wet & how much.

fiddlejen said:

If you've only had him for a day, and you say you got rid of whatever dust or dirt was around the beak & nares, then you probably want to hold off a while. It will take him a few days to take in his new surroundings.

When he starts to seem like, possibly, ready -- then start easy first by just offering water again. Next by using a really gentle mister, perhaps aiming at yourself & just getting him with a little overspray, making a big show of enjoying preening yourSelf after you've been a little bit sprayed.

What I also do with mine, I designate part of each cage as a "no-spray" zone. So the bird can always escape the spray when they're done. I start of with the bird getting only a tiny bit of spray, and then continue spraying only into one corner of their area, so they can move into or out of the water as they choose. That way it is less scary because they can control whether to get wet & how much.

Click to expand...

That’s what I was thinking as well, I thought he’d be more comfortable if he was in control but he hasn’t touched the bath so far. I’ll try to mist spray him again if he’s comfortable

The cage thing is smart! I never thought of that

My little BB hates baths also. I put him in the kitchen sink..run water slowly..misting bottle..whatever I try he runs for the hills. I'm lucky that he is real bonded to me so when I take a shower I bring him along. I open his arms for him,turn him on his back in my hand and just make a fuss about getting him clean. He seems to enjoy the time with me lol.


Jim