Biting Cockatiel

[Breec3]

I have been trying very hard for several weeks to tame my 10 year old male Cockatiel. Every time I go near him with my hand he hisses and tried to bite me. He was in a home that did not give him attention and he was left alone in a room most days by himself. I want to try really hard to get him to trust me. I open the door of his cage and he comes out and he will sit on his cage right next to me. But wont let me touch him. Please Help!

 

[eagle18]

This is a ten year old bird, and I don't think he is going to change his ways in a mere three week.

I had been trying for three years to get a stray cat to trust and come near me. And as of just a few months ago, my efforts paid off.

Will he let you pet him and will he take treats from you?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Yes, indeed, after ten years, this will take some time!

And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for rescuing this darling.

Here are some good reads (thanks, Kentuckienne, for compiling them a while back).


http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Blanchard PDF
https://journals.tdl.org/watchbird/i...view/1113/1092

And:
http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html

A more scientific article
https://fall2016.iaabcjournal.org/human-avian-bond/

Good for you for posting and being open-minded!

 

[Breec3]

He lets me get real close and will eat out of my hand.

 

[eagle18]

He lets me get real close and will eat out of my hand.

Then he is obviously not too wary of you. I think that is a great first step. I would just start by placing my hand on his cage and moving it a little closer every few days.

 

[MonicaMc]

If he only eats out of your hands, then keep feeding him by hand. It will take time, but it is possible to gain his trust. When he decides he finally trusts you enough to seek you out, it's an amazing feeling! I've done this with budgies and, unintentionally, cockatiels. This included a very skittish ex-breeder male that initially wanted nothing to do with humans and would fly away if he felt threatened. He became comfortable enough with me that he'd land on me and wait to be fed.