Taming a young female

[LolaCockatiel]

Our female cockatiel originally from a pet store is terrified of us. When I look into her cage she poos and shuffles to a different side. I had her out of her cage a few time by getting her to step up on a stick bit when I tried my hand/finger she bit the heck out of me, drawing blood.

She got a large cage, eats and drinks well, but is making no progress. We’ve had her almost a month.

I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts and suggestions!

Thanks.

Evan

 

[Birdman14]

A month’s still really early for a pet-store cockatiel like that. What you’re seeing—pooping when you approach, moving away, biting—is fear, not her being “mean.”

Best thing right now is to slow everything down. Stop trying to use your hands for a bit and don’t reach into her cage. Just sit nearby, talk quietly, and let her get used to you not being a threat.

Stick training is fine, but keep it super easy—like rewarding her just for staying calm near it, not even stepping up yet. Fingers can come later once she trusts you more.

She’s not stuck like this forever. She just hasn’t learned yet that you’re safe.

 

[LolaCockatiel]

A month’s still really early for a pet-store cockatiel like that. What you’re seeing—pooping when you approach, moving away, biting—is fear, not her being “mean.”

Best thing right now is to slow everything down. Stop trying to use your hands for a bit and don’t reach into her cage. Just sit nearby, talk quietly, and let her get used to you not being a threat.

Stick training is fine, but keep it super easy—like rewarding her just for staying calm near it, not even stepping up yet. Fingers can come later once she trusts you more.

She’s not stuck like this forever. She just hasn’t learned yet that you’re safe.

How do I reward her. I have millet sprays I’ve cut into 1” pieces and put them into her feed bowl once a day. Is that a good treat?

 

[Birdman14]

Millet is perfect—but putting it in her bowl won’t really teach her anything. She just sees it as food, not a reward from you.

Instead, use the millet from your hand (or even hold it through the cage bars at first). Start super easy: reward her just for staying calm when you’re near, then for moving a little closer, then for touching the millet.

Think of it like this: she earns it because of you. That’s how she starts connecting you = good things.

If she’s too scared to take it from you, clip a small piece near where she likes to sit and put it there while you’re nearby so she still associates you with it.

 

[LolaCockatiel]

Lola, one month later. She’s still terrified of humans. Just looking into the cage. We’ve moved the cage to be closer to us and we now have to pass by the cage much more often.

If you attempt to put your hand into the cage she tries to avoid it and ends up fluttering to the bottom in a fall.

I also notice that her tail feathers have shown no sign of growth.

Just looking for advice on how to interact with her still.

 

[osklvste59]

Are you talking and using lots of verbal praise? It doesn't matter what you say. Make it sound chipper and use her name. Try other treats, pine nuts, pecan, bird safe fruit you are eating. Read a book what ever, variety and cheerful. Some birds are very slow to give trust. Don't give up hope.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Put a chair right next to her cage (or move the cage next to a chair) and read outloud to her. Sing to her.

Do you have dogs, cats or small children? If so, she may be constantly frightened because she's a prey animal. Little kids can be loud and move quickly, scaring timid birds.