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How to socialise a cockatiel

C_Leigh

Walking the driveway
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12/16/21
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Hi all,

I grew up in the country, and left, after over a decade living and working in the big smoke I was done with it. I have temporarily moved in with my mother and stepfather. My mother is happy to engage or not with my bird however my stepfather takes it personally when my tiel retreats quickly back to me.

I bought him at 13 weeks and then he spent nearly 18 months with just me and two budgies. It is nice he loves me because I love him too but I would like him to be more accepting of other humans.

My stepfather is Texan with a big booming voice and big hands. I have taught him to use one finger. He is quite tuneful and my boy gravitates towards him when he whistles, only to his head.

I just want to know if there is a way to integrate him more into the new family unit.

Thanks
 

sunnysmom

Ripping up the road
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Treats. :) You can have your stepfather or whoever give him his favorite treats. You can have your tiel hang out with all of you. It just takes time.
 

Pixiebeak

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Hi!
What helped my parrot's learn to socialize, was for me to be the bridge.

I think in a multiple person home. It's best to start over with officially introductions. When your bird is calm and happy in cage, bring everyone over, have your treats. Introduce one by one tell your bird this is my mom touch her sir kisses and have her say hi birds name. While you keep handing treats. Same with step father.

It's also good flock protocol to have everyone stop by the cage and ssy good morning when they get up. Go and let the bird know you are leaving ( who ever is leaving does this) and to stop by and say hi when get home. May sound silly but can have big impact.

Then to start the socializing part with others. Have your bird in a good calm mood perched on your hand , them stand next to your step dad , and ask your bird to step ( to arm if possible) to your stepdad. Then right back to you for a treat or just praise or both. I only do 3 times a session. Also do with your mom. Repeat multiple sessions throughout the day and over several days.

When he will always step from you , to them nice and right back to you . Then you can have him step from you to them and they give a treat ( if he doesn't take treats nice from others work in that till he does) and then back to you for treat and praise.

the next step is to step from you to them for treat and then hang out on them for a couple if minutes while you chat, then back to you.

you will also start introducing all guests who come to your parrot while in cage and have them hand s treat .

sftet he had masters with your parents stepping up from you to them. Then you can start this with guests.
 

Pixiebeak

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When he has the step from you to people and get a treat down pat.

You can play pass the birdie , while sitting on couch together, it sitting near each other. Pas your bird to family like a fun game. He climbed trps from you to them gets a treat and jolly praise, hangs out with them s few minutes then they pass to you or next person. Or if you are sitting on couch together band he will climb from one to another for treat or praise.
But no one tries to pet them. Unless bird asks for that.

It's his trust in you you can extend to others while you are right there. And starting nfrom you to them. It takes lots longer usually fir them to just step to others from a cage or perch.
 

Pixiebeak

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Oh and it might help build his confidence and get him used to this idea. If you practice having them step from you to perches then back to, from you to to back of furniture and back to you. Some random step from you to where you ask and back to you ( nothing to scary lol lest not till you build up that trust and habit. Later it works great to have them step to it on your props for fun pictures ;). Doing this tons has mine willing to step nearly every crazy place I ask)
 
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