Velcro bird?

[Cockatielsongs]

I'm afraid that Bandit is starting to become a one person bird. Never wants to leave me. I put him for a ride on my sisters shoulder and left to go get something and he screeched and crashed to the floor to go and find me (He is not hurt ) he will sit on anyone as long as he can see me if I leave his sight he will fight to leave person and find me. He doesnt bite anyone really but always wants me.

I decided to get my sister and brother and other family members to run a training session with him every now and then, instead of me all the time. Maybe get my family members to give him his dinner instead of me all the time. Do you think that will work? Just to accept and get used to people other then me every single time. Any more ideas to socialize him more would be very much appreciated!

[Eric&Rebecca]

One thing that worked very well with Edmund was making sure that other people talked to him when I was handling him, so having him on my hand but someone else strokes him. Also when he jumped onto someone else we would give him lots of praise and attention. The temptation is when he's on one person he will only have attention from that person rather than attention from others.

Feeding can help bonding, George has always been fed by Eric and seems to have a better connection with him. Perhaps you could get other people to feed him titbits and treats outside the cage to further assist this.

You could try getting other people to spend more time around the bird. Get them to sit next to the cage/aviary and go about day to day activities. Some birds may just like one person more than the other, unfortunately Edmund is still more attached to me but he still socialises with everyone. I am the only one who is given the priviledge of tummy tickles. I think that's ok though for one person to have certain things that only they can do if the bird is well socialised with others..

Good Luck.

[KimberlyAnn]

I forget if my vet said this or I read it, but it's helped Emmi and out ten year old son form a friendship. The people who are not the favorites get to feed the most favorite treats. Lets say Bandit's favorite treats are walnuts. You will no longer feed him any walnuts, but everyone else will. You can feed him other treats. Hope that helps!