Wiki | Help on training.

[Faraaz]

Hello Everyone,

My cockatiel Wiki, is about 1 1/2 years old. We purchased him from our local bird store who hand fed her and she was great when she first got here.

For the past 6 months or so, Wiki has been screaming for attention and has been biting a lot when we try to put her back in the cage. It has come to the point where my family and I are considering giving her to someone else which I am reluctant to do.

How can I get this bird to stop screaming to get out of the cage? We take her out for 1-2 hours a day and let her sit on us.

How do we resolve this biting problem? She only bites when she doesn't want to go back into her cage.

Best Regards,
Faraaz

[Wolf]

Please consider that cockatiels are very social birds and they are also extremely flock oriented, and they depend on the closeness of their human and/ or their flock for a large portion of their sense of security and well being. One or two hours a day is just not enough time to spend with a bird that was meant to be with other every minute of every day from the time of birth until it dies. The bird really needs a minimum of four hours a day of out of cage time to fly and exercise as well as to spend with you. It is no wonder that it is biting when you want to put it back in its cage. So I would recommend that you either increase the time spent with the bird or that if this is not feasible that you consider getting it a mate of the same age or at least one that is already an adult as well. I believe that if the cage is actually large enough to house two birds that either two males or a bird of the opposite sex would be able to use the same cage after the quarantine period is over and introductions are made to insure that they are getting along. Also you can give the bird a treat when you return it to its cage.

I hope that this helps you and your bird.

[Pajarita]

I am not sure if you are posting about a budgie (on your avatar and description) or a cockatiel (on the text of your posting) but, if you are indeed, asking about a female cockatiel, the ONLY time they call and call and call non-stop is when they are hormonal and alone. Female cockatiels that are kept to a solar schedule (so they don't get overly hormonal) and have mates/companions hardly ever make a sound.

[seagoatdeb]

I think your male Cocktiel just needs more time out of the cage. Cockatiels need at least 4 hours, just as Pajairta says. Is there some way you could work that in somehow?

[Faraaz]

Please consider that cockatiels are very social birds and they are also extremely flock oriented, and they depend on the closeness of their human and/ or their flock for a large portion of their sense of security and well being. One or two hours a day is just not enough time to spend with a bird that was meant to be with other every minute of every day from the time of birth until it dies. The bird really needs a minimum of four hours a day of out of cage time to fly and exercise as well as to spend with you. It is no wonder that it is biting when you want to put it back in its cage. So I would recommend that you either increase the time spent with the bird or that if this is not feasible that you consider getting it a mate of the same age or at least one that is already an adult as well. I believe that if the cage is actually large enough to house two birds that either two males or a bird of the opposite sex would be able to use the same cage after the quarantine period is over and introductions are made to insure that they are getting along. Also you can give the bird a treat when you return it to its cage.

I hope that this helps you and your bird.

I am not sure if you are posting about a budgie (on your avatar and description) or a cockatiel (on the text of your posting) but, if you are indeed, asking about a female cockatiel, the ONLY time they call and call and call non-stop is when they are hormonal and alone. Female cockatiels that are kept to a solar schedule (so they don't get overly hormonal) and have mates/companions hardly ever make a sound.

I think your male Cocktiel just needs more time out of the cage. Cockatiels need at least 4 hours, just as Pajairta says. Is there some way you could work that in somehow?

Okay thanks for the advice. Does she need all four hours to interact? Should I buy some perches and let her sit on there? How can I teach her to stay put on those perches?

I am not sure if you are posting about a budgie (on your avatar and description) or a cockatiel (on the text of your posting)

Sorry, haven't posted on this forum in like forever. I have updated my desc

[seagoatdeb]

Parrots that flock in big flocks are really needing 4 hours of interaction. You can just have her sitting on you, have toys and perches, anything the parrot likes is positive interaction. The parrot may even like adventuring around the room.