Questions about a new cockatiel

[SodapopBlues]

Hi everyone! So I got my first cockatiel, Gandalf, yesterday. He's definitely not tame, so I have him in my room on my dresser next to my bed so he can see and hear me. I have both Harrison's and some seed in the cage, though so far it looks like he's just nibbled on the millet. Should I take the millet out of the cage in the hopes he'll opt for his "real" food? Also, I've read about the importance of baths for their health and happiness. When should I let him have a bath? Would it be ok for me to mist him with a spray bottle, or should I wait until he trusts me more? When should I try letting him out of the cage? Also, any taming tips would be fantastic. Thank you all so much and sorry for all the questions. :-)

[maxollie]

Hi! Ashleigh, and welcome to the forum!! I don't think giving him the millet is going to hurt him at all. Usually, when you bring a new bird to your home, it takes several days, sometimes upwards toward two weeks for them to be comfortable in their new environment, their cage, and with you. Patience always wins when it comes to training tiels. Personally, I would just take it day to day. More than likely he is going to be afraid of your hands because ALL birds tend to have that problem. So, one thing I would suggest would be to just pull up a chair and sit a distance from him, and talk softly to him. Tell him how special he is, that he's a "good boy", even read a story to him if need be (a kids book), and also, you can eat a snack at the same time, because when birds see you eating they usually will try to eat some of their own food. Don't be alarmed that he isn't eating any of his harrisons pellets (best pellet you can buy in my opinion), and seed mix. As long as the food cup is close by him, and he can find it, he will soon be eating. The same goes for the water cup. Millet actually has some good nutrients and moisture in it, so it is good he is eating some. Trust definitely plays a big part in the training of your new baby. There is information on the forum about training tiels. And also, another website that is great for getting all kinds of info about tiels is "Cockatiel Cottage". It probably is a little early for you to put your hand in the cage and try to give him scritches, or even pet his little head. Some folks have success immediately with that. Others do not. Just take each day as it comes. Any little thing that is positive in your interacting with him will give both of you encouragement. I know you and your new little tiel will be best friends soon! And sometime when he gets more used to you and his environment, post some pics of him. we LOVE pics here. I hope this information is of help to you. Just keep thinking patience, Ashleigh, and I know you will soon have a breakthrough with him.

[clawnz]

Con Grats on getting a Tiel.
Maxollie has given you sound advice.
I will add that as far as eating goes, as he is in, to him, a strange environment, eating millet is safer for him than having his head down in a bowl. Also sometimes they do not like to be watched to start with.
One thing I feel is correct that a lot of people say is do not look directly at him.
Off course this should all change as he settles in and become more comfortable.
Slow, slow, slow, let him set the pace and try not to push.
Yes where are the photos? And keep us posted

[SodapopBlues]

Thank you so much, both of you! I'm glad this is normal behavior (and that I'm feeding him the right stuff--my friend who rescues birds recommended Harrison's to me, but it's good to hear from others that I'm feeding him the right kind of food haha!) I'll definitely check out Cockatiel Cottage. And I took your advice, Clive and didn't look at him as I tried putting my hand in the cage. We had a mini-breakthrough today in which he ate from a millet branch I was holding. Yay progress! Again, thank you both soooo much! Like I said before, this is my first tiel and I want to make sure I give him the best life possible.

And now some pictures of Mr. Gandalf himself!

[Things]

Haha, cute!

Good to see he's already playing with his toys. That's actually one of the major steps of getting used to their environment. Birds are afraid of anything unnatural in their environment, so the fact he is playing with the toys means he's becoming used to it.

It's a bit hard to tell from the pic, though I'd probably try move the food/water bowl away from the perch, or raise it up higher. If not, they can sometimes sleep above their food/water bowl and contaminate it.

one way I've tamed birds in the past is to just spend a lot of time sitting in a chair with them. They'll love sitting up on the back of the chair, and eventually he should be comfortable coming down and sitting on your shoulder. Try making some slight whistling noises also, as that can help them associate you as a friend/parent.

[SodapopBlues]

Thank you! I think he's pretty cute myself.

I wouldn't say he's really playing with his toys per se... When he tends to do is if he's stressed (either by my hand being in the cage when I take out his food or water, or if he hears a crow, etc.) he'll bite at the nearest toy/food object he can find. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it's almost like biting the toy is kind of like a pacifier for him until the stressful moment stops.

Yeah, I moved the food and water bowl. I had put it there initially because he would not budge from that corner and I didn't want him to starve. But then again, eating/drinking from a contaminated bowl isn't going to be any better for him. Thanks for the advice.

I'll definitely try the chair idea! Thank you!

[SodapopBlues]

I picked up some Wisconsin millet because I've heard that it tastes sweeter to birds. Sure enough, the entire branch was pretty much stripped clean by the time I came home from work. Since that seems to be the only thing he's eating, should I keep leaving some millet in the cage for him or should I hold off?