Fostering a Cockatiel

[ishael]

Hello everyone,

Some of you may remember me planning to get a budgie and this and that, however I know I have been inactive on the forums for a few months. I've decided as a young person I want no long-term commitment of a parrot to tie my down since my future is not really planned out at this point.
Through the pet store I work at, I was able to foster a Female Cockatiel (I'm guessing). She has very little human-bird social skills and is very grumpy, bitey, and quiet. I first started working with her at the store when we had a few others and she was a very noisy and happy with the others. While I was trying to tame her (walking her around the store and talking to her) she kept flying away. Since her wings are clipped, she would glide down to the floor before getting anywhere. However she started bleeding right where her breastbone protrudes. I'm assuming its because she bumped it too much and as soon as i saw I made sure we treated her.

I'm pretty sure she had a mate among the group of birds and when i came back from my short vacation she was the only bird left, and she was being kept in the back room all by herself in a cage. Very clearly depressed and alone, usually shaking.

I convinced my manager to let me take her home so she had a quiet environment and so that i can work one-on-one with her. I'm known as the 'bird whisperer' around the store, mostly just because I make an effort to socialize the birds and I am one of their only defenders if they are biting or there is some sort of situation.

I have had her home for exactly a week and one day now. Her wound is almost completely healed as I've been applying Vetericyn twice a day. She is truly getting the royal treatment here. i make sure her cage is always clean, move perches and toys around frequently, and watch closely as to how much she eats.

However, she makes no noise. She occasionally will make a small peep or call out when I am working with her away from her cage, but that is the only sounds I ever hear her make. I have her where the sun can shine into her cage and she enjoys that, but she continues to shake. She is near-ish a heat vent, so her little corner is always somewhat warm, but without a draft.

I am working on fully hand-taming her. She is very bitey (I am guessing it is simply fear biting because it is only when I am attempting to hold her or am getting her to step up) but in the last couple of days is becoming almost friendly. She has only played with one of the several toys there twice, and she is very inactive. If I leave her cage the same for too long, she will pick a spot and stay in in for the majority of the day. So i move her dishes around so force her to become more active. However in the last few days i have seen plenty of improvement and am very optimistic that she will soon be a friendly bird.

I have just started practicing having my hand hovering above her body. She started very suspicious but within twenty minutes she relaxed a lot, and will even let me pet her as she stands on top of her cage. When she bites, I make sure not to move away or stop what I am doing, since it clearly reinforces the behavior.

Here are some pictures: (I have named her Diamond, but I rarely use it)


This was the very first time i caught her even touching the toy. I've only seen it twice and she has pecked at the bell several times.




If anyone has any advice or information that may be useful to me, please don't hesitate to comment! I may be updating this post.

[Eric&Rebecca]

That's fantastic you've rescued her!

Female tiels won't make a lot of noise and if she is starting to peep and show interest in toys this is a good thing. She looks really healthy from the pictures a real beautiful pearl you've got there. The noise she is making is the contact call so this is actually fantastic news, she's calling to see if you're there.

Its good you're giving her light but make sure there is shade in her cage and don't keep her in direct sunlight. You can warm her using a UV or heat lamp if necessary. The shaking is nervousness probably, is she puffed up at all? (Other than sleeping) Also tiels do sometuimes just do a slight shiver, this is apparently quite normal if not constant. (Our tiel does it)

Inactive may be a sign of sickness but also a normal female behaviour they tend to sit and survey rather than jump around like a male. Also she is a new bird, this will happen for a few weeks. I assume you've had her taken to an avian vet for her wound?- I would have this checked just in case.

How are her droppings? What is her diet like?

With the taming try getting soe sunflower seeds and slowly placing the hand inside her cage. Line them up on your finger into your palm in a line so she has to reach gradually further. It's a good technique and one we've used with all our previous birds.

You can always PM with any questions. You can see our Eddie in my avatar.

[marie83]

How old is she? If she has had her first moult or two you are correct in thinking she is female. Male pearls lose the markings into adulthood. I didn't know that the pearl markings were sex dependant and wrongly assumed mine was male (she had really bright cheeks, no barring on her tail feathers etc) until she laid eggs.

[ishael]

That's fantastic you've rescued her!

Female tiels won't make a lot of noise and if she is starting to peep and show interest in toys this is a good thing. She looks really healthy from the pictures a real beautiful pearl you've got there. The noise she is making is the contact call so this is actually fantastic news, she's calling to see if you're there.

Its good you're giving her light but make sure there is shade in her cage and don't keep her in direct sunlight. You can warm her using a UV or heat lamp if necessary. The shaking is nervousness probably, is she puffed up at all? (Other than sleeping) Also tiels do sometuimes just do a slight shiver, this is apparently quite normal if not constant. (Our tiel does it)

Inactive may be a sign of sickness but also a normal female behaviour they tend to sit and survey rather than jump around like a male. Also she is a new bird, this will happen for a few weeks. I assume you've had her taken to an avian vet for her wound?- I would have this checked just in case.

How are her droppings? What is her diet like?

With the taming try getting soe sunflower seeds and slowly placing the hand inside her cage. Line them up on your finger into your palm in a line so she has to reach gradually further. It's a good technique and one we've used with all our previous birds.

You can always PM with any questions. You can see our Eddie in my avatar.

Thanks! That is good to know. I have only ever had male Cockatiels quite a few years ago and they were crazy so I assumed her behavior was strange. But it makes sense since she is a female.
She does stay puffed up a lot, I have noticed that. As for her wound, as soon as the incident happened I suggested we take her to the vet, but my managers didn't think it was necessary. So If I take her now, it would have to be on my own dime and I'm not really willing to do that. Those pictures were taken in the first few days, her wound is actually not even noticeable anymore.

Her diet is a bulk small parrot food diet from the store. Its small, multicolored pellets that smell like fruity bubblegum. Its the only one i am allowed to use plus we don't really have any great parrot foods in the store anyways. Her poo was very solid at first, then got very runny, and now is back to being solid and good. I think its because I gave her a little too many training treats. She won't touch fruit or veggies though, none at all. I put a little piece of grape between my fingers and she took one bite and shook her head. haha

How old is she? If she has had her first moult or two you are correct in thinking she is female. Male pearls lose the markings into adulthood. I didn't know that the pearl markings were sex dependant and wrongly assumed mine was male (she had really bright cheeks, no barring on her tail feathers etc) until she laid eggs.

I am not sure how old she is... we are not really told where the store birds come from that come into the store unless they are surrendered by people. I am not sure if she was a surrender or if we got her from one of the mysterious 'breeders'. But in the last few months of her being in the store, she hasn't laid any eggs.

Thanks again guys for the input!

[Eric&Rebecca]

Even if the wound isn't noticeable she could have an infection which has healed into the wound. If she is inactive, puffed up and shivering you do need to go to the vet and your manager is wrong it IS necessary. I personally wouldn't take the chance that it's just a new bird being insecure or female behaviour. When she is puffed up is it just when she's napping or more often? Also does she sleep on one foot?

It's good you've medicated it yourself and well done but any injured bird should always go to an avian vet. The manager may be experienced but he isn't a vet, perhaps you could ring a vet for some advice? This isn't negligent on your part at all but your manager should have taken the responsibility for that. I really would keep an eye on this vigilently, puffing is not good especially if you feel the room is adequate temperature. I don't mean to scare you and you're definitely doing the best for her and that's great but if she needs vet attention she needs it.

The poop is probably just stress, this can happen. Although watch out for odour, bubbles and changes in future. Too many treats plus stress may well have caused it.

Pellets are good I think what you must have is Zupreem or Pretty Bird. If you ever wanted to change it there are many online outlets or pet shop retailers on eBay which do Harrison's or TOPS. (i have my tiel on TOPS, Prestige seed mix and lots of veggies) He also has spray millet as a treat, it might be good to try her with this maybe? It may encourage her to grab and use her feet to hold it still. You can use the millet for hand taming to as you can create distance between your bird and your hand using it. Gradually you can use a smaller piece of millet.

[Eurycerus]

Congratulations! She's adorable. You could try to find palm leaf toys. They are easy to chew and make fun noises when chewed. The palm leaf shredders are nice because there's so much that comes in one roll: http://www.rosespet.com/images/shreddercolor.jpg

Although it's good to be aware of signs of illness, don't stress out too much. She's probably just fine and is settling in. Just enjoy your new friend. My cockatiel shivered quite a bit and so does Nika, just a barely noticeable shake. As long as it's a moderate temperature your parrot is probably fine. It's could be excitement or a little nervousness. Be watchful but not a spazz. :] I remember my cockatiel's tail feathers made her shaking more noticeable. It concerned me but she did it so often and showed no other signs that I eventually thought nothing of it. Nika also worried me for a while, but again, she's fine. I find being careful and calm is more helpful than freaking out.

Edit: Oh I didn't realize she actually hurt herself. Well just keep watch and make sure it's warm in there. :]

Keep trying to introduce vegetables, more so than fruit. It may take months and some creativity but she'll come around to something I'm sure. How come you can't use a different food? To be honest that food sounds yucky, smelly, and coloured... you could ship away for better food if it's not available near you. Same with good parrot toys.

[ishael]

Even if the wound isn't noticeable she could have an infection which has healed into the wound. If she is inactive, puffed up and shivering you do need to go to the vet and your manager is wrong it IS necessary. I personally wouldn't take the chance that it's just a new bird being insecure or female behaviour. When she is puffed up is it just when she's napping or more often? Also does she sleep on one foot?

It's good you've medicated it yourself and well done but any injured bird should always go to an avian vet. The manager may be experienced but he isn't a vet, perhaps you could ring a vet for some advice? This isn't negligent on your part at all but your manager should have taken the responsibility for that. I really would keep an eye on this vigilently, puffing is not good especially if you feel the room is adequate temperature. I don't mean to scare you and you're definitely doing the best for her and that's great but if she needs vet attention she needs it.

The poop is probably just stress, this can happen. Although watch out for odour, bubbles and changes in future. Too many treats plus stress may well have caused it.

Pellets are good I think what you must have is Zupreem or Pretty Bird. If you ever wanted to change it there are many online outlets or pet shop retailers on eBay which do Harrison's or TOPS. (i have my tiel on TOPS, Prestige seed mix and lots of veggies) He also has spray millet as a treat, it might be good to try her with this maybe? It may encourage her to grab and use her feet to hold it still. You can use the millet for hand taming to as you can create distance between your bird and your hand using it. Gradually you can use a smaller piece of millet.

She is puffed up quite often, and she doesn't really sleep on one foot. I have talked to my manager about this and he thinks that since the wound is healing there is nothing to be worried about. I know he won't budge on the subject. I will only have her for another week or so, so sending away for toys or food really isn't worth it and the store wouldn't take the expense.

Congratulations! She's adorable. You could try to find palm leaf toys. They are easy to chew and make fun noises when chewed. The palm leaf shredders are nice because there's so much that comes in one roll: http://www.rosespet.com/images/shreddercolor.jpg

Although it's good to be aware of signs of illness, don't stress out too much. She's probably just fine and is settling in. Just enjoy your new friend. My cockatiel shivered quite a bit and so does Nika, just a barely noticeable shake. As long as it's a moderate temperature your parrot is probably fine. It's could be excitement or a little nervousness. Be watchful but not a spazz. :] I remember my cockatiel's tail feathers made her shaking more noticeable. It concerned me but she did it so often and showed no other signs that I eventually thought nothing of it. Nika also worried me for a while, but again, she's fine. I find being careful and calm is more helpful than freaking out.

Edit: Oh I didn't realize she actually hurt herself. Well just keep watch and make sure it's warm in there. :]

Keep trying to introduce vegetables, more so than fruit. It may take months and some creativity but she'll come around to something I'm sure. How come you can't use a different food? To be honest that food sounds yucky, smelly, and coloured... you could ship away for better food if it's not available near you. Same with good parrot toys.

I am going to turn up the temperature in my house and see if that makes a difference in the shaking. When i have her out and about she is not always puffed, and I think it may just be stress.

And sorry, I should have mentioned that I am only fostering her temporarily to help her heal up and build some social skills. I will only have her for another week or so.

[janetafloat]

That's really nice of you to take her home to give her some tlc. Tbh though I would think she's pretty freaked out given what you've described as her history so far and the fact that she's only been with you a week. I can understand what you're aiming for in moving her perches, toys & food bowls around frequently but that's probably just increasing her nervousness. Even birds that are well established in their home & essentially comfortable & secure can get a bit nervous when new toys are introduced or things move, and I would suggest that you let her settle and and don't change anything else. Perhaps just offer her some millet & see if she'll gradually come toward you.
Good luck, I hope she's ok

[ishael]

That's really nice of you to take her home to give her some tlc. Tbh though I would think she's pretty freaked out given what you've described as her history so far and the fact that she's only been with you a week. I can understand what you're aiming for in moving her perches, toys & food bowls around frequently but that's probably just increasing her nervousness. Even birds that are well established in their home & essentially comfortable & secure can get a bit nervous when new toys are introduced or things move, and I would suggest that you let her settle and and don't change anything else. Perhaps just offer her some millet & see if she'll gradually come toward you.
Good luck, I hope she's ok

Wow thanks for that input! I will not move things around any more. When in her cage she avoids me but will step up if i persist. But outside her cage she gladly steps up.

[Eric&Rebecca]

is puffed up quite often, and she doesn't really sleep on one foot. I have talked to my manager about this and he thinks that since the wound is healing there is nothing to be worried about. I know he won't budge on the subject. I will only have her for another week or so, so sending away for toys or food really isn't worth it and the store wouldn't take the expense.

If she is puffed up quite often I would be concerned. An infected wound can still heal over, meaning the infection becomes trapped inside... my friend had this happen to a wing injury on her tiel, a month later it developed ulcers which dissolved part of the wing tissue. Fair enough he won't budge but he should be showing as much concern as you are, he's not a vet and although he is your manager he can't be sure that bird isn't sick or hurt it some way. A wound healing isn't always a certainity that its fine and not harmed the bird in anyway. A healthy and happy bird will normally sleep on one foot. Frequent puffing and sleeping on two feet (often leant slightly over but not always) as well as shivering and inactive behaviour are all signs of sickness. I really really hope it's just a new bird thing...

When birds are out the cage they will be more alert and become 'skinny' or less fluffed. They are flock animals so they don't like to show their sickness but when left in the cage they have less of a reason to hide their sickness and signs begin to show (if at all). Hence their ability to heal something quickly that could identify them as weak.

Maybe i'm over cautious because we lost a bird recently who showed absolutely no symptoms in the slightest but I'd rather tell you this than sit back and hope its a new bird. I really really don't mean to scare you or say you're doing a bad job because it's fantastic that you're helping her but I think other people like your manager should be more like you.

oh and perches thing... totally right. Tiels don't like too much change in their cage.