I've been defeated by an adopted 6 y/o tiel, need help!

[H3lix86]

Hello fellow flock members ^_^ I recently adopted a 6 y/o Cockatiel. The previous owner claimed it was loving, tamed and trained to step up. However, i have had him here for a little more than a month now and all he is is hostile, scared and cagebound. He flips out if a hand even comes near his cage, he scoffs at every single "treat" i try to give him INCLUDING spray millet. I have tried every taming method i can find on the internet from just sitting next to his cage quietly reading a book, to sitting my hand in the cage and not moving it/keeping seed/millet in it palm facing up. This Cockatiel want nothing to do with anyone or anything and i don't know what to do anymore. The only time i have ever heard him even "speak" is when he is flipping out squawking or talking to himself in his mirror . I have been defeated by the Tiel i want to love me as much as i love him :'( Please help me!

[Pricey_boy]

he probably was friendly but just imagine, being with a loving family and then being in a new place with a new person in the human world its kidnapping and imagine how a person would feel. just start with simple target training and step up training, just check out the topics on this site to learn. it could take months for him to trust you

[janetafloat]

He's awfully cute!

A few points in response to what you've said:
I think you may be underestimating the impact of a move like this, from (presumably) the only home he's known for 6 years, as Pricey_boy says. A month is really nothing compared to six years and it may well take him months or a year even to completely adjust, not days or weeks.
I would recommend that you start with Michael's training guide: http://trainedparrot.com/Taming/ and start target training on to a hand held perch rather than your hand.
You say that your 'tiel isn't responding to millet, which is certainly unusual - what kind of diet is he on?

And I'm not sure what you mean when you say you only hear him 'speak' when he's talking to himself? What are you expecting from him? He looks very relaxed and happy in the video, but he's obviously 'talking' to the mirror - it makes me wonder if he's used to being with other birds?
Personally I wouldn't have a mirror, you want the bird to relate to you not a fake 'other bird' that can't respond. I don't think that's really company for a bird, and they can get obsessed with it.

[marie83]

A month is likely no where near long enough to settle down for a 6 year old tiel. Most birds take at least a month to start getting comfortable with their new surroundings but especially those that are older or were neglected, babies tend to settle down quicker but again that is variable. Keep sitting down outside the cage and talking to the poor thing but slow the heck down, if your tiels freaking out when you sit by the cage then move further away until the birds calm with your presence, then you can gradually move closer. Unfortunately a lot of people will lie in order to get rid of unwanted pets so I'm not blaming you for expecting a bit more from your bird but its apparent that the bird isn't what it was sold/given to you as a well handled bird.
I hate to break it to you but the whole settling down process may take weeks longer and the taming part months to even get the tiel semi tamed. You will do it though with time and patience and when the improvements happen it will be the best feeling ever and completely worthwhile. Just don't try to rush

[H3lix86]

He's awfully cute!

A few points in response to what you've said:
I think you may be underestimating the impact of a move like this, from (presumably) the only home he's known for 6 years, as Pricey_boy says. A month is really nothing compared to six years and it may well take him months or a year even to completely adjust, not days or weeks.
I would recommend that you start with Michael's training guide: http://trainedparrot.com/Taming/ and start target training on to a hand held perch rather than your hand.
You say that your 'tiel isn't responding to millet, which is certainly unusual - what kind of diet is he on?

And I'm not sure what you mean when you say you only hear him 'speak' when he's talking to himself? What are you expecting from him? He looks very relaxed and happy in the video, but he's obviously 'talking' to the mirror - it makes me wonder if he's used to being with other birds?
Personally I wouldn't have a mirror, you want the bird to relate to you not a fake 'other bird' that can't respond. I don't think that's really company for a bird, and they can get obsessed with it.

i have bookmarked this and will read tid bits every night after work till ive read it all. thanks for the responce and thank you to everyone else as well.

[janetafloat]

I hope it's going well