Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone, just bought a cockatiel. My problem is it's not eating, how can I convince him to eat? Please help me. Also, does putting him a nestbox necessary? Hes only solo on its cage. How can you tame him also its really scared and wild. A mail message would really help because Im really in need of tutor who can help me. Email me at daphiel217@yahoo.com thanks.

A nest box is definitely not necessary in fact I would strongly urge against it. It can make the taming process much harder. If you aren't already you do need to provide a variety of toys, things with bells, with thinner wood like popsicle sticks, possibly a bungie and/or a swing.

As far as food, are you sure he isn't eating, just because you don't see him eat or his bowl looks full doesn't mean he isn't eating. Check his bowl carefully, a full bowl can be full of shells or husks instead of the actual seed. I have seen birds die of starvation because their owners didn't think they were eating so never or rarely changed their food in their bowls. Even if your bird is not eating all of it's food you will need to dump it out, clean the bowl and refill with fresh at least once daily. If you are still positive he is not eating, are you using the same diet as he had been being fed? Changing to healthier or different diet can sometimes be great but when switching to a new home they should be settled and eating well before trying to go with a healhier diet. If you are not sure what he was being fed check with the previous owner/store to make sure. Then give him time to settle. If food is provided and the bird is healthy they will start eating, I haven't seen one yet starve when it is healthy and has no dietary changes. Also watch the color and amount of droppings to make sure they look healthy. I know sounds gross but must bird owners will tell you this is a necessary part of bird ownership. If possible use newspaper, white newsprint, papertowels or cage liners in the bottom to be able to see the droppings and if your new bird is dropping its shells down after eating the food.

To tame you will need to be patient. Let the bird settle in first. Depending on how tame the bird was first will help decide how to start out. For an already tame bird, you should be able to offer a favorite treat to get him to come out to your hand so you can handle. For one that wasn't tame take it slowly. Let the bird settle in. Spend time in the room with him, talking and just being around him so he gets used to seeing you and hearing your voice. Figure out one or more favorite treats (millet usually works well) and save this treat for special times. At least at first let him come out of his cage on his own. Don't "chase" him. If after a week or so he still won't come out you may try gently taking him out in a towel, being careful not to squeeze the chest area. Some people use a towel to tame a cockatiel. They remove the cockatiel from the cage wrapped in a towel, go into a small enclosed room and sit with the bird in their lap while talking and lightly scratching the top of the head. As the bird stays calm they loosen the towel eventually only having it lightly around the bird. If the bird is still calm they will completely remove the towel. In an enclosed room it shouldn't be hard to catch the bird should he decide to try and fly away.

Hello Sir, first of all, I would like to say thank you for replying to my message, I really appreciate it. Let's see, First of all, my cockatiel is not weaned. Damn it but in our country breeders dont wean their birds unless they are in the mood. They only breed and make them healthy but they let the parents take care of the young. That's okay though.

Ok so lets talk about my tiel, first of all, I just brought him to our house 3 days ago, but he does eat rarely, something like 1 minute-eating. is this normal for adjusting birds? Secondly, I cant teach him the step UP command because he is really scared, he does run and fly around the cage before I even put my finger. He also does go to the corner of the cage and spend time biting the cage bars doing something, I think he's thinking of a way to escape. Another case is, at 8-11pm my african lovebirds were already sleeping, I dont know but my cockatiel is still awake looking like he's waiting for something. Anything I could do about this ? Next thing, Im always preparing a veggie salad for my african lovebirds, this include carrots, squash and dark leafy greens. I mix them with cerelac, it's baby food for humans which Ive known was good for african lovebirds, my question is can you use that for cockatiels? Also when is the best time to tame my bird, to be exact I just bought him on March 12, That's why I really need tips before I go on doing anything, Thanks again for replying to my message, hope you could teach me more. If you allow me to give you updates about my bird I would gladly appreciate it. Thanks and God bless.

-Khurt.

Not that it matters but it's not sir it's Mrs. PHIggysbirds LOL!

Okay for the questions. Cockatiels especially ones that are new, stressed, scared or settling in do have a tendency to eat in short spurts instead of having a real set time for eating. Most birds will eat bits throughout the day but have certain times where they eat more. After your cockatiel is settling in you should notice that he will eat more at two times a day but will still pick at food even in between.

Since he is so young I would try training in easy short times. First he needs to get used to you and his new house. Don't worry about the step up yet. Work with getting him to not freak out when you go near the cage. Pull up a chair and sit by the cage talking gently to him. Don't bother reaching in to grab him just sit there talking. Even read a book or the newspaper or whatever just to be near his cage and let him acclimate himself to your presence. After a few days (or even a week or longer) when you notice he is no longer going to hide, possibly even acts interested in what you are doing you begin with furthern training. I wouldn't force the contact for at least a week, possibly two if he seems to be getting used to you but slowly. If he is more speedy at calming and readily accepts your presence after just a couple days you can begin then. Just try to go at his speed. If after 1-2 weeks he is still acting nervous or stressed at you being near you may need to force the contact but not until then. After he is no longer stressed by you (or he has at least had a chance to settle in) then you can start taking the cage into a closed room and opening the door. He may refuse to come out at first and just like with the settling in give him a chance. Try for a few days, if he comes out on his own to explore or to get a treat (millet spray) etc then great otherwise you can force him to come out after that few days of patience. If you must force him to come out gently take him out with a towel, then you can either immediately release him or use the method of restraining I mentioned in the other post.

I wouldn't worry about stepping up until he is settled and hopefully wants to come out of his cage and explore. When he will do this you can start working on step up. If after patience and trying (again and again) he won't come out or won't step up you can be more forceful, after that long even forcing him into the corner of the cage and making him step up to get out of the corner (but I wouldn't try this unless you have tried all else and nothing works)

As far as night time settling in. Some birds do settle down at different times. Your lovebirds are already used to your home and your schedule so they have no problem settling in. Your cockatiel is used to someone elses schedule, someone elses nighttime noises or lack of noises and the darkness or lightness in another home. If you aren't already you might try shutting off all lights and noise (TV, radio) at that time, if that isn't possible move him into a different room to sleep or even try covering him. We cover all of our birds in the home where there is sometimes still light or noise after their bedtime, it took some longer than others but they have all learned it is quiet time and sleep time when covered. The birds in the rescue are not covered but they have lights off (except for any coming in windows) and all noises off. They also have learned to adjust although some took longer wanting to "visit" with the other birds.

The veggie salad with the baby food sounds great and quite healthy. We offer veggie salad to our birds, usually having greens, Vitamin A veggies, green veggies, pasta, beans, fruit etc all mixed in. We also offer birdie muffins with baby food mixed in. I have never tried the baby food in the salad but I am sure if would be quite a good idea as long as you are careful how long you leave it in the cages. The baby food will let the salad spoil quicker but will offer more nutrients so be careful but keep up the good food ideas.

Definitely keep up the updates. I would be happy to help in anyway I can. If you have a specific problem or question start a new thread, otherwise just keep on with this one and I will keep trying to offer suggestions.

Mrs. PHIggysbirds (LOL!)

Oh sorry about that Mrs. PHIggysBirds.

Thanks for that guide, I will really do it.

Anyway my cockatiel right now used to close his one eye and leave the other eye opened? He does this when he is about to sleep. Should I be concerned ? Also from time to time he does this "chewing" sound. I dont know what to call it but it sounds like he is chewing something in his mouth even there is no food or anything else. Thanks Mrs. PHIggysBirds. Best regards to you and your family.

Khurt.

It sounds as though your cockatiel is starting to settle in. The "chewing" noise is what a lot of people call beak grinding. Most parrots will do this when content, sometimes when they are about to go to sleep or just when they are getting comfortable. The same can be said for the one eye open, it doesn't mean that your cockatiel is fully comfortable in his/her surroundings yet but it is starting to trust you. They will sometimes close one eye when they are starting to trust you, kind of like I almost trust you but I better keep one eye open to be sure LOL! Your cockatiel should settle in well since it already sounds like she is on her way to contentment.

Good luck and keep us posted on her progress (or lack of progress) so we can help or just enjoy the stories