Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I often allow my tiel to sit on the couch with me while I watch TV or read. At times she will wander around the couch, sit on the arms or back, walk on me, allow me to pet her, be good, etc. Other times she will obsess about getting right next to my face and peck at it. That drives me nuts and I have to put her in her cage. Does anyone else have this problem and how do you deal with it? Can the bird be broken of this habit?
SandyBeth

This is one of the reasons many suggest not allowing birds onto the shoulder. Your bird could be just showing affection because birds will preen each others facial feathers and rub beaks to show companionship. Since humans do not have feathered faces or beaks LOL this can result in biting the nose, plucking facial hair or nipping the cheek, lip, etc. It sounds like you are already working toward breaking her/him of this habit. If she likes being out then placing her back in her cage may be a deterrent. Also when she does nip, place her in a lower position (lap, couch seat or wherever is nearest and lower) and tell her a firm no. Repeat this any time she tries the nipping. Placing her in a lower position and saying a firm no (not hollering or showing excitement just a firm no) will show your dominant standing with her and should cause her to think twice about doing this again. Try not to show any exciteable behavior about the nip such as hollering, laughing, jumping around or she may see this as entertainment and do it again just to see the same reaction.

Thanks for the tips. I will try the next time she pecks at my face. It's strange that it only occurs occasionally, not every time I have her out.
SandyBeth

Having her on your shoulder is your personal choice, everyone has their own choice for doing it or not doing it. Putting her in the cage each time she does become like this is also the right thing to do, then allow her out again after a few minutes (as long as she's been nice & quiet). Continue to do this & only allow her on your shoulder & walk on you if she's on her best behaviour. Pecking & being bossy, take her straight off your shoulder. If she wants to be on your shoulder she will learn. The time it takes her to learn will depend on her so just be patient & don't give in. My boy did the same thing & this is how he has learnt not to, although at times he can be VERY moody & not listen (typical tiel). At those times he's best left to his own divices & usually lets me know when he's ready for my attention & to be nicer. Tiels are funny little birds. When they're moody, they are also often extremely stuborn. Look out for body language & things like molting, hormones etc. That can set off this bad behaviour & if you can see it coming, you can avoid it happening.

Yes! I'm so glad you mentioned that tiels are moody birds. My Ramona can be so sweet sometimes and nasty other times. "When she is good she is very-very good and when she is bad she is horrid." When she is in a nasty mood, I have been trying to work her out of it, but from now on I'm going to put her back in her cage and let her stay until she's nicer. One thing I have discovered is that she needs lots of uninterrupted sleep or she is crabby. I've had her 10 yrs, by the way.

It sounds like you are definitely on the right track with breaking her of the habit. I am guessing she does like being out most of the time? Then putting her back in her cage would be a definite deterrent or time out to give her time she needs alone. We have two cockatiels right now. One is a real sweetie and he doesn't seem to have the moody burst. The other one is definitely moody like you both have said and has his moments when it is better to just leave him alone. Good luck and keep enjoying your feathered friend.

LOL yeah I think would be the crabiest of all birds when they lack sleep. Good luck wiht her. But also remember, some tiels are just plain grumpy so you may or may not snap her out of it. My little guy has grumpy old man syndrome. I think he'll be this way all his life no matter what. But I always still put him away for time out when he is like this & let him know it's unacceptable.