Taming a cockatiel

[zandperl]

One of my friends is attempting to tame her petstore bought cockatiel, so I'm looking for resources and suggestions on how she can go about doing it. I've given her some information about clicker training already, but not any specifically about taming so those would be welcome. I also seem to recall a post or comment ages ago, possibly by ltdead, about

Comments

[ltdead]

I wouldn't be able to point you towards a specific post but... yeah. It can help to get the bird into a 'neutral' space. It's important to make sure their cage is out of sight when you do this. Bathrooms, spare bedrooms, walk in closets, etc. A relatively small space can help so that the bird doesn't wander under random bits of furniture and refuse to come out.

Then just settle down on the floor, and bribe the bird with plenty of millet spray. You can work on clicker-training, or just sit and talk with the bird. If it's wary but not entirely terrified, you can try holding the bird while feeding it. If the bird's completely wild, then just let it chill on the floor and spend time with it.

[zandperl]

This bird is completely wild. Should my friend start by grabbing him out of the cage for this, or would it be better to bring the whole cage into the bathroom for the first few sessions? How long at a time do you think is good, 15 minutes or an hour? From your experience does it make a difference if the bird is clipped or flighted?

[ltdead]

With a bird that's completely wild, I would bring the cage into the bathroom, pop-off the bottom, and then flip the cage onto its side or upside-down so the bird climbs out on its own. They may be able to get the bird to step up onto a handheld perch then - or at least jump down off the cage. Then I'd put the cage outside the room.

If that's not feasible, then I'd towel the bird. I mean, if yer gonna have the bird in the cage in the bathroom... then you might as well be sitting next to the cage where it usually is. Which works eventually, but takes longer.

With a completely wild bird, clipped is probably better - or at least easier. It takes more experience and dedication to deal with a flighted bird - especially a flighted and untamed one.

[zandperl]

Thanks for the advice, I'll send it on to my friend! :)

I've been lucky that I've never had to deal with a completely wild bird myself, Gabe was the closest I had and she was just very skittish around people, probably had been tame and then ignored for years. With her clipping and just a bit of time completely solved the situation, and I let her flights grow back out after that first clip.

[laurens_a_dork]

My little Tristan, even though he was hand fed, is still a stinker about getting out of his cage. Sometimes he won't get out unless I put the cage on the floor, open the door, and let him walk out on his own. He's getting more confident and more willing to come out when I want him to, but it has taken practice and time.