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Thread: Handling my cockatiel, Atlas.

 

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  1. #1
    Junior Member
    TheCorruptedKings's Avatar


    Handling my cockatiel, Atlas.

    H ello, my name is Erica and I got my first bird last month, a female pearl cockatiel named Atlas. After years of research I finally found me a cockatiel to call my own. My pet shop changed owners and in the new location I found her with her mate. Originally, the pet shop wasn’t selling her because she was apparently aggressive, Besides, I wanted on cockatiel not two so originally she was off the table, but she started plucking feathers and her mate’s cheek feathers. The male was eventually sold off and she finally seemed to calm down. She seemed more scared than anything. In the end I ended up getting her.

    She adapted to my home fairly quickly. She was already filled with energy, she screamed announcing her arrival as soon as she came into my house. She went to her food, watched me as I moved around my room, seeming curious and a few days later I left the door open and she came out to explore around the outside of her cage.

    Now a days she sits at the door of her cage, the perch outside of her cage or on top of her cage. The only time she really goes in her cage is to eat or sleep at night.

    She eventually got used to me as well, I can pet her and give her scritches she’ll even approach my hand just to get scratched. She’s not scared of my hand... when it’s above her anyway...

    It’s been over a month and every bonding trial I’ve gone through has always turned out well. Being able to pet her, talking to her, even her eating out of the palm of my hand has all gone exceptionally well, but lately... I’ve been trying to get her to step on to my hand, I need to start teaching her how to step up since it is very important, but she just hates when my hand is underneath her head. She’ll scream and threaten to bite she just wants no part of it. I don’t know rather to move my hand when she screams and respect her boundaries or leave it there and not let her be spoiled.

    My parents have told me to just grab her. This worker on the parakeets at the pet store, just keep grabbing them and putting them on your shoulder until they figure out you’re not going to hurt them, but I’m worried that by grabbing her it’ll ruin the trust we already have. All that bonding time wasted. I don’t want to lose that trust, but I just don’t know what to do anymore. Please help.

    Thank you so much ;^^ please respond soon!


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  2. The following 4 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-11-2018), Dragonlady2 (06-11-2018), Lady (06-13-2018), Mare (06-13-2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Member
    PlaxMacaws's Avatar


    Parrots

    B&G (Jack) | MM (Maynard) - RIP | Hy (Zaf) - RIP | GW (Salsa) | NC (Bozley)
    You're very smart, Erica. Don't force a form of contact upon Atlas that she refuses. Trust is earned and takes time to develop and you can't know what emotionally traumatic events Atlas may have experienced at the hands of other humans prior to your acquisition of her. By forcing contact you may well damage the trust relationship you have worked so hard to forge. My recommendation is to go slow and allow Atlas to decide if and when it's the right time to try something new. It appears that you've done a very good job of winning over Atlas so far. Try not to listen to folks who don't seem to understand what you clearly know. Your concerns are valid!

    Thanks for joining us
    He wanted to live. He was my Heaven... He's gone!

  4. The following 6 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-11-2018), Dragonlady2 (06-11-2018), Lady (06-13-2018), Mare (06-13-2018), Quakerella (06-15-2018), TheCorruptedKings (06-11-2018)

  5. #3
    Junior Member
    TheCorruptedKings's Avatar


    Quote Originally Posted by PlaxMacaws View Post
    You're very smart, Erica. Don't force a form of contact upon Atlas that she refuses. Trust is earned and takes time to develop and you can't know what emotionally traumatic events Atlas may have experienced at the hands of other humans prior to your acquisition of her. By forcing contact you may well damage the trust relationship you have worked so hard to forge. My recommendation is to go slow and allow Atlas to decide if and when it's the right time to try something new. It appears that you've done a very good job of winning over Atlas so far. Try not to listen to folks who don't seem to understand what you clearly know. Your concerns are valid!

    Thanks for joining us
    Thank you so much, this helps a lot. For a while I’ve been trying to get her used to my hand underneath her taking it slow with lots of treats when she calms down, but when she screams at my hand I wasn’t sure rather to move it or leave it there.


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  6. The following 4 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-12-2018), Dragonlady2 (06-12-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-12-2018), Quakerella (06-15-2018)

  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.
    Rather than offering your hand for her to step up to, try offering your forearm (about half way up to the elbow) with your fist closed so there are no fingers in sight. It may, or may not work
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  8. The following 6 users like this post:

    Dragonlady2 (06-11-2018), Lady (06-13-2018), Mare (06-13-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-11-2018), Quakerella (06-15-2018), TheCorruptedKings (06-11-2018)

  9. #5
    Junior Member
    TheCorruptedKings's Avatar


    Quote Originally Posted by Casper's 2nd best friend View Post
    Rather than offering your hand for her to step up to, try offering your forearm (about half way up to the elbow) with your fist closed so there are no fingers in sight. It may, or may not work
    Thank you! I’ll definitely try that ^-^


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  10. The following 3 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-11-2018), Dragonlady2 (06-11-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-11-2018)

  11. #6
    Super Moderator
    Dragonlady2's Avatar


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    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.
    I have two birds that will happily step up on my forearm (I keep a sweater around for this), but do not like my hands too close. If she gets used to being on your forearm, put a treat in your hand to see if she will venture down to accept it.
    I am in agreement that not pushing it right now is better for Atlas and your relationship with her. You have really done a great job with her!

  12. The following 5 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-11-2018), Lady (06-13-2018), Mare (06-13-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-11-2018), TheCorruptedKings (06-12-2018)

  13. #7
    Junior Member
    TheCorruptedKings's Avatar


    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonlady2 View Post
    I have two birds that will happily step up on my forearm (I keep a sweater around for this), but do not like my hands too close. If she gets used to being on your forearm, put a treat in your hand to see if she will venture down to accept it.
    I am in agreement that not pushing it right now is better for Atlas and your relationship with her. You have really done a great job with her!
    Thank you so much. I definitely need to try the forearm thing. I’ve tried tempting her with treats and she’ll go anywhere on and around her cage to get those treats, but no where off or away from it. She gets nervous, even when she sits on my bed she just sits on my pillow and stays there to preen. The only time she’ll let me pick her up is when she’s stuck somewhere and then immediately flies away as soon as she gets the chance. (Usually into a wall or straight into the bars of her cage ;-; )


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  14. #8
    Nobility Member
    Mare's Avatar


    Parrots

    Sassy Goffin's girl, she IS Sassy Amigo, male umbrella cockatoo Chip! The cockatiel! The sweet, sweet Jellybean!
    Hello! Sounds like you are making some progress. I have cockatiels and know them well! The littles are persnickety at times and you must understand that about them or they will make you doubt yourself as a human being! You’ve got to love them for what they are. Mine will sometimes be super friendly, usually in the morning when they will glom on to me and take a ride all over the house, eat oatmeal with me on the rocker chair then go back to their cage. Other times..we don’t quite have that bond.

  15. The following 6 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (06-13-2018), Dragonlady2 (06-13-2018), Lady (06-13-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-13-2018), Quakerella (06-15-2018), TheCorruptedKings (06-13-2018)

  16. #9
    Senior Member
    Casper's 2nd best friend's Avatar


    Parrots

    Casper, a blue fronted Amazon. Loves banana. Hates plastic bags and red coats.
    It sounds like life is pretty relaxed on Mare Mountain
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  17. The following 4 users like this post:

    Lady (06-13-2018), PlaxMacaws (06-13-2018), Quakerella (06-15-2018), TheCorruptedKings (06-13-2018)

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