Scared cockatoo - am I doing the right things?

[betula]

Hello there -

I recently started fostering a sulphur-crested cockatoo (I've had him for two weeks now). I was told he's terrified of everything, so I'm actually really happy that he doesn't seem that bad at my house. 95% of the time I approach his cage, he climbs to the corner and stares at me. He won't take any treats from me, he doesn't even eat treats that I put in his cage. I've been reading and trying to apply the methods in "The Basics of Parrot Taming and Training" article. I approach the cage quietly and slowly, I don't make eye contact, etc.

"...wait for the discomfort response. The moment it begins, stop and stay where you are. Do not approach further but do not retreat."

I guess my question is... how do you apply this part when you have to change out food and water multiple times a day? I feel like any time I just walk over and out to switch things, it sends a contradicting message from when I stop and don't retreat until he relaxes.

And at what point should he be coming out of the cage? I leave it open quite a bit and he shows no interest in coming out on his own. Do I have to wait until he's more comfortable with me before I take him out?

[liz]

Are his wings clipped? If they are he is the same as a cripple and is afraid of everything.

His cage is his kingdom and the only thing he is sure that belongs to him. You are right to leave the door open a lot. Mine are never closed in.

Hands are the scariest part of a person. Hands can do bad things to little birds and they know it. Faces are not scarey. Put your hands behind your back when you talk to him. That helps. Myrtle would land on me or climb me and cuddle around my neck long before she would let me touch her.

My first hand contact was "tickle tickle" then touch her feet.

[naomi]

hello..
i think he still dsnt know you and he's not sure are going to hurt him or not.the first time i got my he was also like that and i cant target training him since he dsnt take any treats from my hand.

what i did is i leave him with peace for 1 month,only for change his water and food.i always around him but just be in the same room without any hand contact.after 1 month pass i start to open his cage and offer him some nuts and see if he is interest.i start to sit beside him but still-no hand contact.around 2.5 months,he come out from his cage and i can slowly touch his head.day by day i can touch him more and slowly i train him to step up.now he still learning and still-he wont take everything from my hand,only some stuff that he knows its safe.

i think its okay to change water and food multiple times.its something that we must to do and slowly he will learn you are not going to hurt him.he needs to understand that.remember,every new day is better and you will suprise eventually he will relax when you are around him.
hope this help!

[betula]

No, his wings aren't clipped.

Trying to keep my hands hidden is a good idea, I'll work on that!

Naomi - I'm glad to hear that it's probably just going to take more time! I'm not in any rush, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Thanks for the replies!

[Shelby]

He won't take any treats from me, he doesn't even eat treats that I put in his cage.

He may not even know what they are/if he likes them, depending on the kind of home he had before he came to you. If you can contact the people who had him before, maybe they can tell you what some of his favorite things are.