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Thread: Recently adopted cockatiel - advice?

 
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    rivx's Avatar


    Parrots

    Two cockatiel hens named Gracie & Matilda

    Recently adopted cockatiel - advice?

    It's been a while since I joined this forum, but I'm back --- actually a bird owner now, at that. Forgive me if this is the wrong section.

    We adopted a female normal gray cockatiel, who's currently named Gracie. I have no idea what her current age is, but she's at least one.

    My first question has to do with the conditions she was kept in. She came with a too small cage (old and dirty, to top it off), and obviously I want to replace it soon. But, how many days should I wait before replacing it? Should I allow her to settle first?

    Secondly, she was bounced around quite a bit. She only stayed in her last home for a week, but the toddler who lived there gave her a fear of hands -- she was allegedly tame before that. How hard will taming her be, in your opinion? Is there any specific method for a bird getting over trauma, or is it just the usual?

    The last questions aren't quite so urgent, but questions, nonetheless. When a bird is harness trained, and you take them out to the store or for a walk, do you bring water? Food? How exactly do you go about that?

    Does anyone have name / toy suggestions?

    Any other tips are appreciated.

  2. The following 2 users like this post:

    Dragonlady2 (07-31-2017), Quakerella (07-31-2017)

  3. #2
    Senior Member
    rivx's Avatar


    Parrots

    Two cockatiel hens named Gracie & Matilda
    to add onto the 'name suggestions' part; we're considering Nirvana! Her cage is definitely grunge, to put it kindly, and her squawk is totally drop-d. That said, I don't actually know if she's a fan yet. We'll see.

  4. The following 3 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (07-31-2017), Quakerella (07-31-2017), YourMortalEmily (08-15-2017)

  5. #3
    Super Moderator
    Dragonlady2's Avatar


    Parrots

    Willy-Eclectus, Oliver-alexandrine, Mookie-Senegal, Bella- Australian King, Joey and Peewee- Barrabands, Peachiegirl-Peachfront conure, Pepper- crimson belly conure, Peanut-plum head, Babyblue-parrotlette, Harry and Louie-canaries.
    Welcome back and congrats on your new addition. I am sure you will be happy with her once she has settled in. You've asked lots of questions which is great.
    My first question is why do you want to change her name? Right now it is the only familiar thing, besides her cage, she has left.
    With regard to her cage. I would get the new cage, set it up with a few interesting toys, maybe some pellets and put it beside her cage for now. Let her look at it and explore it while she is out of her cage and make it a slow transition.
    As to building trust with her, sit beside her and talk, read to her and try to give her some treats. Because of the number of homes, it may take a while for trust to develop. There are some tricks to use to get her to come to your hand and we can look at those later.
    For right now, she will need some time just to settle and get used to your presence and routines.

  6. The following user likes this post:

    Quakerella (07-31-2017)

  7. #4
    Senior Member
    Casper's 2nd best friend's Avatar


    Parrots

    Casper, a blue fronted Amazon. Loves banana. Hates plastic bags and red coats.
    Hi and welcome, glad you are able to give a rescue bird a loving home. As Helena says, please don't confuse Gracie (which is a wonderful name) by changing her name.
    Tell her she's a sweetie etc but include her name to reinforce her identity. Time and patience will be required in getting her to accept you, but let her do it at her own pace, she will step up when she feels confident and is probably susceptible to bribes with treats as encouragement but if she refuses it at first don't try and force it on her, save it for another time. Talk to her lots, have her in the room where you spend most time and as she is a flock feeder and you are her new flock, let her be close with her food bowls when you are eating your meals. This usually means having her in her cage otherwise you will have a bird beak-first in the middle of your plate of food. Voice of experience here
    She will settle into a new cage quickly and if she has anything in her old cage that you can move across it will help her.
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  8. The following 2 users like this post:

    Dragonlady2 (07-31-2017), Quakerella (07-31-2017)

  9. #5
    Senior Member
    rivx's Avatar


    Parrots

    Two cockatiel hens named Gracie & Matilda
    @Dragonlady2

    Good thought! I'd been told she didn't know it, and we don't know if that was her name for her whole life or merely from her last home. She'll keep her name, I'm sure it'll help her settle!
    Thanks for the help with the cage.
    So far we've been leaving her be, just talking to her and changing her dishes/paper. We plan to give her 3-4 days before any more interaction, or more if she still seems uncomfortable by then.

    @Casper's 2nd best friend

    Thanks! I'll move some toys into the new cage and keep it nearby so she can get an idea of it --- whenever she's ready, of course. We're trying to let her settle in as peaceful an environment as possible.
    I'd heard about the flock eating thing! We have a pretty open floor plan so she can see us in the dining room from where she's at right now.


    Thanks to both of you for the help. Gracie will appreciate it.
    She's been playing with her toys a lot more today, and we're seeing her personality a little more from afar. Can't wait to get to know her better. <3
    Last edited by rivx; 07-31-2017 at 02:46 PM.

  10. The following 3 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (07-31-2017), Dragonlady2 (07-31-2017), Lady (08-02-2017)

  11. #6
    Senior Member
    Casper's 2nd best friend's Avatar


    Parrots

    Casper, a blue fronted Amazon. Loves banana. Hates plastic bags and red coats.
    I think most people with birds have a cupboard full of toys and things that the bird absolutely refuses to have anything to do with. Casper has, but is happiest playing inside a cardboard carton, chewing holes so he can sneak out and attack our feet.
    https://1drv.ms/i/s!AiaOISfmJyvKg5sx34fVhIjaPiYAFw
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  12. The following user likes this post:

    Dragonlady2 (07-31-2017)

  13. #7
    Senior Member
    rivx's Avatar


    Parrots

    Two cockatiel hens named Gracie & Matilda
    An additional question;

    She seems to have a bit of squawking / screaming problem. I've been doing the whole 'ignore her' only pay attention when she's quiet' idea, but I'm wondering if maybe this is a flock call, considering she has been taken away from her old family? Or perhaps it's to do with her too-small cage. Thoughts?
    For now I'll keep on ignoring the yelling, to avoid rewarding it. Just curious about the cause of it. <3

  14. #8
    Super Moderator
    Dragonlady2's Avatar


    Parrots

    Willy-Eclectus, Oliver-alexandrine, Mookie-Senegal, Bella- Australian King, Joey and Peewee- Barrabands, Peachiegirl-Peachfront conure, Pepper- crimson belly conure, Peanut-plum head, Babyblue-parrotlette, Harry and Louie-canaries.
    Her screaming may be the reason she was rehomed so many times. I wouldn't necessarily ignore her. Can you whistle in response? Just to let her know you are nearby and maybe teach her another way to get attention. As well, try some foraging things. How about taking a mini pepper and filling it with some fruits and vegetables. You may have to try a few times or different things to get her going. The idea is to get her busy doing things independently.

  15. The following 3 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (07-31-2017), Lady (08-02-2017), Quakerella (07-31-2017)

  16. #9
    Super Moderator
    Quakerella's Avatar


    Parrots

    8 quaker parakeets, 4 Indian Ringneck parakeets, 3 lovebirds, 5 cockatiels
    Everyone has given you fantastic ideas and remedies.

    This poor little thing sounds like she needs some serious love and attention. This could be one of the reasons behind the screaming.
    Does she only scream when you are not there, or not in her sight?
    Cockatiels are extremely social birds and don't take too well to being left alone for long periods of time.

    As was stated above, let her see you as much as possible. If Gracie was hand tame before it will not take long for her to be hand tame again.

    Trust first. She has to trust you before she will respond to you. It will only take patience and time but I am sure she will come around to you

    Good luck and please keep us updated on her progress.

  17. The following 4 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (07-31-2017), Dragonlady2 (08-01-2017), Lady (08-02-2017), rivx (07-31-2017)

  18. #10
    Senior Member
    Casper's 2nd best friend's Avatar


    Parrots

    Casper, a blue fronted Amazon. Loves banana. Hates plastic bags and red coats.
    If Casper screams when we are out of sight we shout back to let him know where we are. If he screams when he is on my shoulder he gets told that it is not necessary to be so loud, I am right next to you. He is mainly a morning screamer presumably reaching out to other parrots in the vicinity. I don't know if there are any other parrots nearby, or if they hear him and call back. How good is a parrots hearing?
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  19. The following 2 users like this post:

    Dragonlady2 (08-01-2017), Quakerella (08-01-2017)

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