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| | From: 7Gina5 (Original Message) | Sent: 4/4/2007 3:17 AM |
Hello everyone, I sure hope I can find some help here, because I am one step away from giving my bird away. I received my male tiel as a christmas gift last year and have been drowning ever since. Beanoo(his name) is getting meaner and meaner every day. He seems to be VERY afraid of hands, so I have assumed that he was mishandled. I have been nothing but patient and nice but he is now attacking my hand when I go to change his water dish. He is so beatiful and has a special place in my heart but I don't want a bird that I am afraid of. How do I tame him or can I? I would appreciate any help. Thanks Gina |
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| | From: momnoah | Sent: 4/4/2007 6:40 AM |
(Sorry, I caught a few typos I had to correct...) Hi Gina. I have a couple questions for you and a few tips maybe. Keep in mind, all birds are individuals and have different likes, dislikes, levels of tolerance, aggression etc. We need more detailed information from you about what he is doing, how he is reacting to you, what you are doing, etc. How old is he? Is he actually biting or just threatening to? Is it in the cage or out of the cage? Are his wings clipped or unclipped? Does he have toys to play with? Does he get time out of the cage or play & exercise? Do you know if he was he hand fed or parent raised? Are there any female birds in the house? What are you feeding him? Will he step up onto a stick you are holding? Where is his cage? What is around his cage that could make him upset? The older he is, the longer it usually takes to tame him, but it can be done with a lot of patience and time. In my opinion, being hand-fed makes a big difference. Tiels that are parent raised and aren't handled much when very young can get pretty flighty and spooky. Again, a lot of time and patience is needed. Things like small children, other pets, pictures or statues can make a bird nervous and nippy. Watch him and see if there is anything that seems to upset him. Sitting and talking to him, reading out loud and or listening to music with him is a good place to start. Feeding him treats is another good way to win his trust. If he bites but will step up on a stick, take him away from his cage into a neutral zone to spend time with him. I try not to force one to do something he is afraid of.. it just gets them more scared. Let him come to you in his own time. Like many birds, animals & kids, if you show fear or uncertainty, they will take the opportunity and run with it. I have a few here that will bluff if they can. They act and sound like they'll tear you up. But they don't really bite. If you don't hesitate, jump, or pull away and calmly pet them or ask them to step up they usually do. I also have one that will try and bit me any time he can- and he is the oldest of the 1st clutch that I raised & hand fed. He just hates me. He's never been treated roughly or neglected. Never hurt or abused. He loves my husband though and will snuggle with him. His brother, who I also still have is the total opposite with me. I can handle him, Michael gets bitten more often than not if he tries. Both will become very hormonal if a female is in the same room and both will bite anyone who tries to get between them and the girl tiel even though they've never been in set up to breed. I noticed something last summer when I had run out of pellets and had to wait a couple weeks before I could order more. When my tiels were on a mainly seed diet they were noisier, more hyper, less settled, nippier and more irritable. They still got their normal greens & raw veggies and their cooked foods. When I did get the pellets in and they had them as a main diet with small amounts of seeds a couple times a week, they all got more calm and quiet, more easy going and wanting more attention from me. It was like night and day. They just seemed happier and more content. Of course this is nothing scientific, and I'm not even close to any expert. I'm just offering a few personal opinions and observances with my birds. I also know my way is not the only way to raise/keep a bird. It works for me, but might not work for another. I'm just trying to help. Cockatiels can be such wonderful pets. I'd hate to see you disappointed and discouraged to the point of giving him up if it can be worked out. Sorry, I guess I've rambled on enough tonight. I really didn't mean for this to be so long when I started it! |
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| | From: 7Gina5 | Sent: 4/4/2007 10:45 PM |
HOW OLD IS HE? Beanoo is 1 1/2 yrs old, my brother bought him from a not so reputable pet store and didn't do any researce on where he came from. IS HE ACTUALLY BITING OR JUST THREATENING TO? He does both, sometimes he just threatens me, and sometimes he bites right away, you never know what he is going to do. IS IT IN OR OUT OF THE CAGE? Most of the time it is out of the cage, but just recently when I go to grab he water dish, he is attacking my hand inside the cage. He has never done that before!! ARE HIS WINGS CLIPPED? yes DOES HE HAVE TOYS TO PLAY WITH? He does have a toy in his cage and he just LOVES it, it is cute to watch him it's the only thing he is loving with. DOES HE GET TIME OUT OF THE CAGE TO PLAY OR EXERCISE? When I get home till the time I go to bed his cage door is open for him. DO YOU KNOW IF HE WAS HAND FED OR PARENT RAISED? Notta clue. ARE THERE ANY FEMALE BIRDS IN THE HOUSE? No WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING HIM Pellets (fruit and veggies, but not faithfully) WILL HE STEP UP ONTO STICK YOU ARE HOLDING? VERY reluctantly!! WHERE IS HIS CAGE? Right now I put him in the kitchen because most of my time is spent in there and I thought he needed more company. WHAT IS AROUND HIS CAGE THAT COULD MAKE HIM UPSET? I can't think of anything, the mere fact of us walking by makes him hiss. You know I have tried sitting and reading to him or just sitting in front of his cage talking to him, but he does not seem responsive. I may be giving up too soon when I see that I am not getting anywhere. He used to tolerate me alot more, but now he has no patience for me. I hope you can help!! Thanks for your time and patience with me. Gina |
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Are there any kids, dogs, or cats in the house? |
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Gina, I've moved this to keep it with your original post and responses: | Hello everyone, I am new here so I would love some help. I wrote on the tiel message board how my one and a half yr old tiel Beanoo is just nasty mean. Someone just told me that he is too old to change, it this true? I'd love some advice, I don't have any other pets or children around. Thanks Gina | | |
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| | From: momnoah | Sent: 4/11/2007 9:26 AM |
OK, I'm going to try this a 5th time... Between my pc and MSN I'm ready to scream.... Gina, if Beanoo is only 1½ old, he isn't too old to tame. It will take longer than a baby, but with time, patience, persistance & consistancy, it can be done. He is still pretty young considering 'tiels can live 20-30 years. I have a rehomed 'tiel here who I was told was at least 16 yrs old when I got him 2 years ago and he may be older than that as he was in adult plumage when she got him (a minimum of 8-10 mo). He is still very active. I'll try and give you some tips and things to try, but I'm no expert and since I can't see & watch Beanoo myself, I'm just guessing based on what you tell me. All birds are individuals and have definite opinions about what they like and don't like. If they don' like something, they can't tell you and can get grumpy. Sometimes a small change can make a huge difference. - Try alternating toys in the cage and/or moving them to different positions in the cage. It sounds like Beanoo is cage territorial. You say "he just LOVES" his toy. If he is viewing this as a companion, he may be trying to protect it from you and that is why he could be attacking your hand now where he wasn't before.
- Try partially covering the cage as well. How big is his cage? Is there enough room for a few toys and to arrange it so that he has some place to hide in there so he'll feel safe?
- Try moving the cage to different places and see if it helps. Some birds love it near a window where they can look outside and see what's going on. Other birds freak and like a more quiet & calm area.
- You say his cage is in the kitchen? Please be careful of fumes with him in there. Over heated teflon, cleaning agents, self cleaning ovens, smoke etc can make him ill and even kill him.
- Try taking him away from the cage. Preferably to a small bird safe room out of sight of the cage. This will put you both in neutral territory & remove the object that he is protecting from you. He is also forced to focus more on you.
- If he won't step up off the cage to you, try using a stick to step up on until he becomes more at ease.
- Sit and read outloud to him, or sing, or hum, or just talk.... (not facing him, but at an angle or next to you.)
- Don't stare him in the eye. It's ok to look at him, but not long at one time. And try not to do it directly. This is what preditors do when they are stalking prey and 'teils will take flight if they can, fight it they can't.
- Try not to back off or jump if he lunges at you. I know this is very hard to do sometimes when a sharp beak is coming at you. If he lunges and you retreat, you are teaching him that he's a big bad bird and can chase away the threatening hand/human.
- Try to stay calm and relaxed, talk in a calm soothing voice as you would to a scared child. Birds are usually very good at reading subtle body language and tones of voice. Tense to them is a threat. Preditors are tense = ready to pounce.
- If you offer him your hand to step up to, keep your fingers curled under and your wrist bent with the hand curled towards you. This tightens the skin and makes it hard for small beaks to get a hold of any skin if he should try and bite. (this doesn't work as well with big beaks) Once he stays relaxed with your hand in the cage, try gentally playing with a little foot type toy. If he is nosy like mine, he'll want to see what it is.
- If he is afraid of hands you can also try wrapping your hand in a washcloth or tea (hand) towel. This will sometimes scare them more. You will have to watch and judge Beanoo's reaction for yourself. I have also just sat quietly by the cage with my hand in there.. not moving towards them, just letting them see I was not threatening them. If he's attacking you might not want to try this unless he calms down some.
- Sometimes a good time to try working with him is after he's been out playing on a play gym for a little while and he's a bit tired.
- Try different foods and find out what his favorites are and once he will take it from your hand, reserve that for training sessions and use it for a reward. Keep trying different veggies and treats. Cockatiels can be wary and it might take some time to get him ti try new foods. Just keep offering.
- Try eating near his cage where he can see you. Again, not facing the cage directly, but next to it or at an angle where you can turn to him or turn away and he doesn't feel threatened. Talk to him as you eat.. (yum, this is good, Ooo and ahhh) If he's anything like my tiels, even those of mine who don't like handling will come over and look. If he does, offer him a bite. It he backs away, hold it there a minute and if he doesn't come near it, just turn away and eat it. Be persistant and he will eventually.
- Sit at his cage and look out from it at his height and look around the room. See if you can spot anything that can scare him. anything that looks even remotely preditory. Eyes staring, pictures or statues of anything. Reflective things, shadows that move etc.
- Keep training sessions where you are actively trying to get him to step up, etc fairly short. Like the first time he steps up, give him a treat (even if you just put it in his dish) and put him back. Next time, do a bit more, etc.
- Try working with the step-up first and earn his trust before you try scritching his neck, unless he drops his head and offers to let you.
I can't think of anything else at the moment, if I do, I'll post it here. Maybe other members will have other ideas or suggestions to try. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. My apologies for taking so long to answer. I kept trying but a few got lost in cyberspace and my pc froze and lost another, and yet one more I accidentally closed the message window. I've also been put on meds that were making me very sleepy so I kept dozing off! Anyway, I really hope this helps because 'tiels are great little birds and can be very affectionate. You must realize though that I'm I bit bias since I have 12 adults and occasionally have bbies I hand-feed. (I have 19 at the moment.) |
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| | From: 7Gina5 | Sent: 4/12/2007 9:25 PM |
Thanks for the advice, I think I need to set some time aside everyday, this sounds like it's going to take some work. I'll keep you posted and in mind if I have more questions. Gina |
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I agree with everything momnoah has been telling you, very much..but i noticed one thing Does he have a mirror on any of his toys or that he can see from his cage?????? If so get rid of it, it could be making your problem worse. :) good luck with beanoo! |
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| | From: 7Gina5 | Sent: 6/5/2007 3:32 AM |
Beanoo hasn't been all that responsive with me, yet today he flew out of his cage walked over to my husband and I in the kitchen and stood at my feet. He ate out of my hands once and was very curious with us. However, when I went to get him to put him back in the cage he was his usual non-responsive self. Do I need to give him more time? Another thing he keeps screaming now, should I ignore him and show him that it won't get him any attention? I'd appreciate some more GREAT advice, I need it!! Gina |
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| | From: momnoah | Sent: 6/5/2007 4:55 AM |
Hi Gina. I think if he came to see you, you are making good progress. I'd put him on a play stand well away from his cage and close to you whenever it's safe to do so. Keep talking to him, offer him treats, etc. It sounds like he's pretty cage territorial so having him away from his cage in "neutral" territory might lend towards bonding with him. Keep trying and don't give up hope. He may never be a cuddly bird, but can make a great companion. |
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I would say if he came over band sat at your feet your making excellent progress. When I tamed my love bird and she was a handful but I did it in the bathroom I found it small and she couldn't get to far from me just make sure you close the lid to the toilet. anyway I would take her in there for about 20 minates three times a day for about a week and by the end of the week she was letting me scratch her head and was stepping up on demand try a very small room one on one it might just work get him to step up onto a stick first and when heis doing that every time you ask him to the try your hand. after you get him up on your hand get him to step back and forth from one hand to another like he walking up stairs. Pat |
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Gina patience!! how old is your little guy? Please have alot of it. Sweet talks and what's in his dish? where is his cage? are you feeding pellets or seed. please ignore the address on top and use [email protected]. What part of the world are you in. I have a houseful of 42 cockatiels. my one cage of 4 males gets very little attention until it's dish time; daily about 10:30AM. Individually they were mean boys. I try to finger up each one daily with sweet talk and head rubs. These were all babies I raised from eggs. 3 are sweetly responsive and the fourth one is another story. I'll just try repetition, repetition, repetition until he eventually learns I'm not going to hurt him. These guys are uniquely wonderful. Patience pays off! Gina, please let me know how you both are doing. Please remember this tiny creature left all he once knew and is now at your house where everything is new, different, frightening, with no one he knows EVERYTHING is new to him. Be mindful of this and please have patience. [email protected] AND mobilizedparrot @ BirdBrainz |
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computer illiterate I am hence wrong address appears above. I am [email protected] wrote you long ago stating patience is a virtue. wondering how you're doing as of late. where do you live? St. Louis MO? my tele is 314-432-6666 [email protected] take calls after noon central time by the way I still keep a mail account at msn but get into it so rarely Bird Brains is only reason I keep it... |
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