Hello, I adopted a 7 month old cockatiel. He/she is not hand tamed but that will be a goal for the future. Take it really really slow. As of now just sitting by cage. I will offer Millet as a treat and then put it down. I know this takes time. I’ve done research and know handfed cockatiels have imprint and bond with humans and don’t necessarily have that fear so much of people. I really wanted to adopt. In a weeks time he/she doesn’t seem as fearful etc which is wonderful. My question is for anyone who is more similar to my position. Have you been able to tame, is he/she bonded with you? Allow for scratches? ETC. I guess I’d just like to hear own experiences or any advice. Thanks!
Advice
- Thread starter Jdanukos
- Start date
bug_n_flock
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2018
- 1,373
- 208
- Parrots
- B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Hey, not long ago a "breeding pair" of cockatiels turned out to be a father/son pair when the "hen" started to molt out her perls. Not only was she a he, but he was somewhere around 6 months old, not the 2.5 years we had been told. We had had them about 4 months when we realized this, meaning he had not been messed with much since weaning, and had not been hand fed. Rin has been in our living room since then and he has basically tamed himself. Just spend time in the same room and be nice to him/her and she/he will figure it out. Tiels as a whole just seem to want to be friends with people in my experience. Them and budgies. Be patient and kind and they will come around. 
