Just brought home new cockatiel!

Hi all, I am a new bird owner, and just brought home my cockatiel last evening. I could use some tips of "dos" and "don'ts", because I am getting conflicting info from different sources.

I am wondering how he should spend his first few days; he is very quiet right now, mostly sitting in the corner quietly. Should I open the cage so he can come out and explore, or would that be too scary for him? I'd appreciate any thoughts you all might have, I am so excited to have my new friend!

Lorinn

Lorinn, glad to have you joining us
Awesome forum, and friendly members, always willing to assist
Not sure if it's your first time being a guardian, if so, one step at a time.
Any idea how old the bird is / are you hand rearing him / have you adopted him?
Sorry for all the question, in order to assist you we require more info.
Top on your list, a visit to an avian vet is a must. Let the bird be checked over, peace of mind for a healthy bird.
Your bird must have time to settle down and adjust. Just imagine how many new things the bird has encountered, within the last 24 hours. So many new faces and voices, it must be so scary.
To gain your trust could take days, weeks, even months. Each and every bird is so different. He obviously feels a comfort zone is his cage.
Sit near the cage, talking and singing to the bird. Let him become familiar with your voice. Leaving the cage door open, offer him treats through the bars at first. When he willingly accepts them, try placing a treat near the open door. Eventually he will starts taking the treats from the door, make no attempt to touch him. When he does come out, he will probably climb around on the cage. Let him explore in his own time. To get him back in, place a treat inside the cage, making sure it's visible.
Not too sure about the diet for a cockatiel (I have an AG Mishka)
Below is a link pertaining to the upkeep, diet and care of a cockatiel.


Cockatiel Care | Cage and Diet Information

Sure other members will assist you further, many have wonderful cockatiels.

Hope this was helpful, please keep us posted.
Good luck

Hi. I recently brought home the last two cockatiels the petco in my area will ever be selling. I did try petting my birds the first couple days then found out that was mistake so I am doing my best to keep my hands off especially right now since I do not feel that well. I also HIGHLY reccommend the site www.cockatielcottage.net it is filled with LOTS of useful information. Everything from hand taming, stoping biting, how to react to birds screaming, switching to pellets, different types of diets, finding an avain vet, recipes, quizes and so much more. unforunatley the creator of the website lost her bird "momma" last year so the discussion boards there are not open to new members however she provides her email address and will typically respond to any and all questions within a day or two.

.One thing you need to remember with cockatiels is they're not very much cuddly and touchy-touchy birds. They still love hanging out with you, playing, getting scatches, and sitting on your shoulders. They just don't like to be touched, otherwise, you might get bitten. And tiels really chomp down! But, it all depends on their personality.

Overall, they're great companions. I have one myself, and she is the light of my life and I give her and, my keet all the possible love and care I can give.

If you have any specific questions, please PM me for any additional info you might need. And also, I recommend "Cockatiels for Dummies" by Diane Grindol. Filled with lots of good information and tips.

Hope that helps

Thanks so much for your replies, not sure yet if this will go to all of you? In any case, I will probably be asking lots of questions these first few months! I think the problem is mine, not Buddy's! He has only been here for a day and a half, and it helps to know that it may take days or weeks or months for him to feel at home.

I am living in an adult foster home d/t a disability, and Buddy is in my room. I got a large cage for him, so that may be part of the problem, he was in a pet shop, in a cage with three other cockatiels, in a room with lots of other birds. He is young, and the folks at the shop say he was handfed; I need to call them today to ask some more questions.

I have been talking to him frequently, not staring at him. He is almost motionless this morning, I think because I changed his food and water. I do want to take him to a good vet, but I think now it would be too disruptive?

thanks for your suggestions!

Actually the fact that he is motionless as you say can be a warning sign that something is wrong with the bird. A visit to the vet would not be that disruptive to it and it will make sure your bird is in good health. Also because cockatiels are social creatures having been in a group setting it may be helpful to get another bird however if you do decide to get another bird quarentine it and wait til you have buddy tamed and you feel confident in your bond together. Also pet stores will do just about anything to sell a bird so I rarely believe the birds they have were hand fed or tame unless I can hold them and play with them in the store.

Colorguarder, thanks for the information. The shop I bought him from has a good reputation here in Portland, but I don't easily trust what I'm told; that is why I want to check things out with you guys.

Buddy and I have made some progress... he now sits in the open doorway of his cage and watches me carefully. I talk and sing to him periodically, and he has begun to chirp if he wants attention from me. he seems to eat more in the evening, but has not touched any of the fruits/vegies that I have put in the cage, I'm thinking that the shop fed mostly the seed mix. I am doing research this morning on a good avian vet. He does have periods when he is more active, but still sits quietly most of the time.

Now that you have the 'door open' so to speak, it might be a good idea to teach your tiel to 'step up' onto your finger.

Just move your forefinger from breast to feet slowly, while saying the words "Step up", to give him a small finger perch to stand on.

It's a good idea for all 'open cage' bird owners to finger train their bird as early as possible, because you never know where they might choose to go beyond the cage door!!

Thanks Greydad, point well taken. He is very shy yet, so I really haven't expected him to explore beyond the doorway. Today he is perched on his rope perch above the door, still inside the cage.

We have an app't with an avian vet this afternoon, to make sure he is not ill. I'll let you all know how it goes. And thanx again for the helpful info. (I also ordered the book, "Cockatiels for Dummies", it will arrive any day now.

Buddy has already been very good for me; he takes my focus off of myself! I love having a pet to care for again.

LC