Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have a 1 year old male grey cockatiel that I'm trying to train. He is a very playful bird and reacts very well with me but for some reason he is afraid of "hands". He will walk on my arm but when I try to pet him he snaps at me. He used to let me rub his head but he is afraid now for some reason. I am also trying to get him to talk but he only says a few words and that is it. Most of the time he just whistles.
I would also like to know what size cage is recommended for cockatiels. I think the cage I have now is becoming too small for him.

Thanks,
Glenn

is he fully flighted? usually when tiels are afraid of something they flight rather than fight, usually when they fight it's because they are trying to control you and/or because they dont like it.

about cage size, the minimum I would go with a cage is one big enough for the bird stand in the center of the cage and be able to spread his wings and tail out fully without touching any part of the cage, and while standing not touching his crest extended or his tail on the top or bottom of the cage, obviously you can go bigger than this but this would be the very minimum I would recomend anyone go, and a cage this small a bird should only be in for sleeping.

For a minimum sized cage that they are going to be let out of often probably around 18"x18"x24" (would definitely suggest larger if at all possible). The bar spacing should be under 1/2 inch or under as cockatiels tend to like sticking their head out the bars and getting them caught if farther spaced. If your bird is not going to be allowed out quite often then you of course would need a larger cage to allow more climbing, playing and possibly even flight room!