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Cellophane_Flowers
Egg
Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Michigan but from Ohio |
| New cockatiel owner :) some questions |
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Hi! I just got a cockatiel for Christmas and named it Andee (short for androgynous since we aren't 100% sure of the sex) I got it from Petsmart and don't know a lot about it because the sales ladies were in a big rush and not very knowledgeable about anything. I do not know it's age or if it was hand fed but I am assuming it's young. I am very nervous and want to do this right so I have a few questions!  BTW, I have had my bird for 3 days today!
1. When should I try to teach the step-up command? So far it does not let me near it, doesn't hiss or bite but tries to fly out of the cage when I put my hand in there.
2. Can anyone tell the sex or age from the pictures I took?
3. How long will it take for my bird to gain my trust? I don't want to force it so soon, I just want to make sure I make the right moves at the right time!
It makes that zippy noise with his beak sometimes and I read online that it is a sign of being relaxed and content so that's a good sign, right? Also, the other night I was taking a bath and heard it squacking like crazy and I went to check on it and it stopped when it saw me, was it trying to locate me? It's eating too and drinking water. I just get worried because sometimes it stretches it's wings out at me while lifting up its foot, is stretching or trying to warn me?
Sorry for so many questions! I am so worried over this bird, I want it to like me and be happy! 
here's some pictures I took the first night!
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Monday December 10, 2007 3:00 pm |
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Petra
Bappie
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 81
Location: Pennsylvania |
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Mmmm... I remember when i got my first "tiel a couple yrs ago. I got her half off from a breeder cause she was really aggressive... well the minute i had her home she was giving me kisses and always wanted attention... i miss her.
Ummm I cant tell you the age of your bird but I wanna say it may be a female.. although idk for sure.
The sqawking thing could have been several things... he/she could have been startled or was trying to call for you ((thats what my Petra does.. hes a "Tiel too)) or just didnt want to be alone.
What I did with my First "Tiel was I took her out of the cage ((she was in a small cage so I took it apart to get her out))... try taking the top off the cage. make sure you do this in a safe secure room away from other animals. and once Andee climbs out put your finger up to his feet and softly rest your finger on his/her toes and say "step up"... he/she should step up, although it may take a couple tries.
The sooner you start handling Andee the better... if you wait itll be much more difficult to tame him/her. Even now my 'Tiel occasionally nips my finger when I go to pick him up... so dont worry if he nips you.
If he seems scared or uncomfortable while your trying to get him on your finger try whistling softly to him... or.. what i tried and it worked... kiss him on the head ((making the kissing sound)) and then try again... my bird will nip my hand, and stuff but he will NOT nip my face at all... so your 'Tiel is most likely not to nip your face so id say give it a try.
Good luck and let us know how it goes with your new 'Tiel... oh and once you start handling him dont stop, handle him several times a day every day.
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Tuesday December 25, 2007 12:50 am |
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Cheetz007
Egg
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Edinburgh |
Hmmm, well, I did nothing at all with my cockateils (I have 2 brothers, Zig and Zag, age around 7 months, maybe a bit older) other than let them out of their cage door.
Zig will happily fly onto my shoulder, run down my arm and on to my hand, but Zag usually stays away from me, although even he will occasionally jump onto my shoulder.
Both of them fly away if I put my hand near to them!
I have a question about diet - does anyone know a good site, or place on this site, that lists things that are poisonous? I have a herb garden growing on my windowsill - I have Chives, Rosemary, Thyme and Basil growing in it and they've just started chewing on it. I'm not bothered that they chew it, but I don't want them to eat it if it's going to poison them!
Needless to say, until I find out the answer, I'm trying to discourage them from nibbling on it! |
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Thursday January 24, 2008 12:48 pm |
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Cheetz007
Egg
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Edinburgh |
OK, just to answer my own question, I found this site:
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/houseplants.html
So it looks like I'll be OK. In fact it's great, because they particularly like to nibble on the Rosemary and that means it releases a great herby scent! There probably won't be much left for cooking with though!
Saying that, they seem to prefer nibbling on my shoe laces at the moment, probably not the best thing for them! |
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Thursday January 24, 2008 2:02 pm |
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