Hi everyone, I just brought home a new cockatiel a week ago. At the pet store I was told he was tame, and I quickly found out that wasn’t true. I did so much research on cockatiels but still I think we rushed it and got him out of his cage too early and now he’s just terrified of our hands and a little cage aggressive. We took a step back and now I just leave his cage door open when I’m home to give him the option to explore (which he doesn’t take) and sit and talk with him. He’s comfortable with me outside of his cage and has started to interact with me positively, but when I place my hand inside of the cage (slowly, and leave it still and don’t approach him) he aggressively flaps his wings.
I know it’s only been a week and I need to give him more time but I’m so stressed I’ve badly messed up our first impression and he won’t ever come to trust/love me. Also, he’s not treat motivated at all so I’ve had to make me leaving him alone the reward for him putting up with my hand in his cage, which also feels regressive.
when I read about cockatiel training online it always sounds so much easier than this, like young birds want attention right away, but he wants nothing to do with me and it makes me so sad. I’m desperate for tips to earn his trust and finally start building a relationship with him.
I know it’s only been a week and I need to give him more time but I’m so stressed I’ve badly messed up our first impression and he won’t ever come to trust/love me. Also, he’s not treat motivated at all so I’ve had to make me leaving him alone the reward for him putting up with my hand in his cage, which also feels regressive.
when I read about cockatiel training online it always sounds so much easier than this, like young birds want attention right away, but he wants nothing to do with me and it makes me so sad. I’m desperate for tips to earn his trust and finally start building a relationship with him.