I recently got my first bird. I bought a cockatiel from a local pet shop. I believe it is a male (normal grey. Yellow face with orange cheeks) I also think he is at least over a year old (he has no bars on any of his feathers). Though I'm not exactly sure how old he is.
I keep him in the bedroom as that is where I spend most of my time. I figured this would be the best way to get him use to me. I've had him for just shy of a month now, and he is still afraid of my hand. I feel bad because I haven't been able to take him to the vet to get him checked up and get his wings clipped so I can let him out of his cage more. I'm afraid that if I take him out with a towel or something to take him to the vet might make him more afraid.
He has gotten better though since I got him. Mainly what I do is place my hand in his cage and rest it on one of his perches. Most of the time he keeps his distance, but I have gotten him to walk over my hand a few times. If I get too close he acts like he will bite, but ultimately just moves away.
Is there anything else I can do to help him get more comfortable with my hand so he can have a better life and finally have some fun outside of his cage?
I keep him in the bedroom as that is where I spend most of my time. I figured this would be the best way to get him use to me. I've had him for just shy of a month now, and he is still afraid of my hand. I feel bad because I haven't been able to take him to the vet to get him checked up and get his wings clipped so I can let him out of his cage more. I'm afraid that if I take him out with a towel or something to take him to the vet might make him more afraid.
He has gotten better though since I got him. Mainly what I do is place my hand in his cage and rest it on one of his perches. Most of the time he keeps his distance, but I have gotten him to walk over my hand a few times. If I get too close he acts like he will bite, but ultimately just moves away.
Is there anything else I can do to help him get more comfortable with my hand so he can have a better life and finally have some fun outside of his cage?