by Pajarita » Mon Mar 08, 2021 2:07 pm
Hi, Dolphin and tiel, welcome to the forum. I am not sure I understand your question/problem correctly. Is it that your bird no longer wants to train even when you offer a millet reward? If this is the case and the bird you are training is a cockatiel - age and the changes it brings can be the reason. Let me explain. People think that a parrot is a parrot is a parrot but it's not true. Every species has its own characteristics and needs and just because they are all highly social and very smart, it doesn't mean that they are all the same. Cockatiels are aviary birds - and aviary parrots are intensely flock oriented while companion parrots are more pair oriented (but lovebirds, for example, which are also aviary birds are, like companion birds, pair-oriented). They also do not bond as deeply with humans (because they imprint super duper young and are never confused as to which species they belong to, like large parrot species might when handfed from a too early age). The imprinting does not happen even when they are handfed -which is unusual for aviary birds to be because experienced breeders know that this is pretty much a waste of time and effort as, when they become sexually mature, they will always prefer another bird to any human. You do not say how old your bird is now but if it is over two years old, it is now sexually mature. You see, a baby bird is always a sweet tempered little thing that will want to be with you all the time - same as a puppy, a kitten, a calf, a colt, a fawn, etc. Babies need company to feel safe and aviary birds are no exception so, when they are little, aviary parrots behave the same as companion parrots - they want to be with and on you, they are docile and willing to learn during training, they don't bite, etc. But, once they become adults, they not only become sexually mature and need a mate/companion of their own species, they also become more self-assured and this makes them more willing to reject your training and even your company becoming more aloof as time goes by.
There is a reason why aviary parrots are super cheap while companion parrots are expensive: they breed much more easily and prolifically. Why? Because they are aviary birds! They know they are birds, they know to which species they belong to, they know that you are not their family and, during breeding season, they are the definition of a one-track-mind... all they want to do is find a mate and you are not it so why bother to please you by obeying your commands during training?
If you love your bird, please adopt another cockatiel (not a baby, mind you, it needs to be another adult) because, when it comes to their nature, there is no trick, no reward, no technique that can change Mother Nature's rules.