New tiel

[Eurycerus]

That's down right adorable ^_^

[CommaCole]

Thank you guys for staying w/me here, he's now definitely screaming. I think it's because he wants to be out. This is pretty confusing because whenn he's out his crest is either all the way do(no curve) or all the way up. I leave the room when he screams and reenter when he's quiet. What else can i do? Haha this whole experience is stressful but i'll tough it out.

[Eurycerus]

I leave the room when he screams and reenter when he's quiet. What else can i do? Haha this whole experience is stressful but i'll tough it out.

You're doing the right thing! Just keep at it. Never pay attention when he screams* and definitely don't reward by letting him out :]

*Unless he's sick or injured, then there's an actual reason, but you know my meaning

[CommaCole]

What does the head bobbing w/crest down mean? He does it when he's in the cage, also, he does a little screech when i pet him outside of the cage. (He wanted to come out). I feed him millet when he's out, is that the only reason he wants out?

[liz]

He is begging. Babby birds do that to their parents.

Rambo and Myrtle do that to me when they want something and are not able to tell me what. It starts a guessing game until I get the right word.

[CommaCole]

Thanks a lot for info liz, should i stop him from doing this, he does it constantly while out of cage( begging while making static/screeching sound) and only when i give him millet will he shut up. ... On a different note, are alcohol wipes safe to clean cage with? and how often should i clean a single cockatiel's cage? AND one more thing, how can i get him interested in his toyss???

[marie83]

Alcohol wipes are probably best avoided as alcohol is toxic to birds. You could always rinse the cage well afterwards but theres always the risk you may miss bits. Vinegar (diluted) makes a very good cage cleaner or you can use a small amount of washing up liquid in hot water but make sure to give it a wipe with a fresh cloth after and allow it to dry.

I would definitely do the target training even if you dont ''need'' it to get your bird out. It will help with other things later down the line and I believe training is enriching for our intelligent birds even if we don't use the behaviours taught for anything else. I never used to bother with training anything other than step up, to go in a carrier and be towelled but I'm a firm believer in it now, I believe it develops trust and strengthens existing bonds.

It wasn't until one of mine got sick and he got scared of me because I was giving him meds that I realised how good it can be, gradually we built the trust up and now I can do so much more with him than I ever could before. I fully intend to train all my future birds before any problems develop, before I just sorted problems out as they occured but why do it the hard way when you can prevent certain things from happening in the first place?

[liz]

Thanks a lot for info liz, should i stop him from doing this, he does it constantly while out of cage( begging while making static/screeching sound) and only when i give him millet will he shut up. ... On a different note, are alcohol wipes safe to clean cage with? and how often should i clean a single cockatiel's cage? AND one more thing, how can i get him interested in his toyss???

Rambo is 21 and still begging.

I wouldn't try to stop her because she needs to be able to tell you she needs something. I don't remember who and what bird but someone forgot to give it water. It made water sounds then said water.

Millet isn't the greatest. It is like giving candy. Try giving it something else.

You play with the toys in front of him.

[CommaCole]

Thanks a lot, you guys have helped a bunch! I hve noticed his nostrils are red and i think i heard A sneeze... just one. Should i be worried, noodle out dog sheds a lot.

[marie83]

Can you post a piccy of his cere? A bit of sneezing is normal, excessive sneezing is not. Red nares may not be normal either.