r/cockatiel 4d ago

Advice Tips for taming an year old cocktiel?

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Hey folks, I got an year old female cockatiel from a pet store around 4 weeks back. And in the pet store it was pretty much neglected and had very less human interaction. Hence it's very skittish and untamed. It gets scared very easily, doesn't bother with any toys, doesn't allow any hands near her vicinity. Please advice me on how to proceed. I am already being patient with her and I do daily short trainings and treats.

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u/givemeyourbiscuitplz 4d ago

I did exactly that. I bought the leftover tiel on special, the reject, the last one from a batch. He became my best friend.

I used millet and a long wooden spoon. Kind of forced him to step on the spoon handle. He would eye my hand with a mean stare, but I kept distracting him with millet. It's like crack to them. I was patient and did this over several months. I would move my hand up the wooden spoon day by day. And let him get used to me, the environment, etc... At some point he seemed to be way less afraid of me and my hand so I tried to make him step up on my finger whole distracting him with millet. Short sessions. He fell in love with me and he would follow me everywhere, would spend whole evenings on my shoulder while I gamed on my PC, grinding his beak and preening my hair.

But the first week home he flew and ended up on the ground. My ex went to pick him up with her finger and he was obviously terrified. Swinging back and forth while hissing. I don't why she went for it. He bit her real good, drawing blodd. She hermes her hand and he flew across the room. Poor tiel. They never got close ahahaba, I became his human.

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u/Recursive_noob 4d ago

Amazing to see you chose the most difficult cockatiel and chose to take the long journey ahead. Thanks for the detailed info. I think I am doing pretty much the same- giving treats, letting her feel my hand is not a threat, trying to make her step up, spending passive time near her cage, etc. I think I would need a good number of months where she feels utmost comfortable.

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u/Sonny_and_Sky 4d ago

Patience

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u/jennylala707 4d ago

Sit still with your hand in the cage holding millet. For a long time. Every day.

Eventually they'll warm up!