Expert: Marie Charon - 11/17/2009

Question
My friend's family bought a baby cockatiel about 2 years ago. At first the bird was happy and responding to training, but over time it has been traumatised by my friend's young nieces and nephews' shouting, poking at and banging the cage. Now the poor bird hisses or screeches when anyone goes near it and will no longer climb onto a finger. I offered to take the bird in, as I have kept birds most of my life (mainly budgies, but have also looked after my grandparent's cockatiel). I was just wondering what the chances are of being able to rehabilitate this cockatiel and how I would go about it? I'm not sure how to get past his fear. There are no children in my house and it is fairly quiet most of the time. I do have a budgie in the house, but he is a quiet bird who only really gets excited when the TV or vacuum is on. He will sit on my finger or shoulder, but generally doesn't want to come out of his cage much these days, so I don't see him being too much of a threat to the cockatiel, and maybe even the company of another bird to talk to may benefit? (Obviously they would be in separate cages still).
I would be grateful for any advice before I take the new bird on, I don't like to think of him being unhappy where is he for much longer.
Thanks.

Answer
She will rehab nicely as long as you are patient. In my experience cockatiels rehab fairly easyily. Thank you for taking the poor thing in!

When you get him to you home and settled in for a few days begin taking him out of his cage by covering your hand with a wash clothe and taking him out of the cage. Go into a bathroon, and put him on your knee. When he flies of, just pick him back and put him back on your knee. Next work on him stepping up off of your knee onto your hand, when you get him perching on your hand have him step up from one hand to another. If he flies off just gently begin the process over again. Repeat for a few days.

Also, hold him for 20 minutes or so and have something silvery for him to chew on (so you can redirect him if he tries to chew on you) I've found rings work really well.

It may be ahile before he trusts anyone near his cage, and he may never be anything but nervous around children now, but you two should become fast friends!

Just give him a lot of one on one attention (mine like to come around the house on my shoulder while I clean) and he will come along just fine. If you run into specific problems along the way just write me and I will be more than happy to help you two in the process.

Happy Holidays,
Marie