Are birds ever lazy?

[willwelsh816]

My cockatiel Charlie always seems to be lazy, I've been trying to get him to talk, sing, or wistle, but nothing. I tried to teach him to dance to some R&B music, still nothing, although he is adorable, he just sits on my shoulder grooming himself and grinding his beak.

 

[JawzX]

not every bird is as active or interested in learning new things as others... And some birds can certainly be lazy (plenty of stories of fully flighted birds refusing to fly short distances and demanding to be carried), and remember, patience! It can take a long time for some birds to learn to talk, some may never talk. Tricks are often more reliable, almost any bird can learn a few tricks, even the dimmest our little fiends can usually handle target training, but it can take weeks, months, or even years for complex tricks to develop. Keep trying, be patient with the little guy and he'll probably get of his little feathered butt sooner or later

 

[willwelsh816]

yeah, it's not really that much of a bother, just having him there is good enough, but i always woundered what it'd be like if I heard him say "Hi!" or "Hello."

 

[Quantumcat]

Try buying or making a variety of toys, you may find one he really loves and he'll become a completely different bird. As for talking, some birds never do. All you can do is keep talking to him. Say "Hello!" really clearly just once every time you see him, and "Goodnight!" just as clearly before you cover him up for the night. You can encourage him trying to talk as well by giving him a little treat whenever he makes the slightest pre-talk sound. Also if you put a recording device near him then leave, chances are he may practice his talking while you're not there. Some birds are shy and won't say a word in public until they have practiced it alone and have got it perfect!
Also, there are lots of easy tricks you can teach him. All you need to do is find a treat that he really really loves. You can then teach him to turn around by getting him to follow the treat (then when he is good at turning around, just directing him with your finger and giving him the treat after he's turned around). You can teach him to shake hands by putting your finger near him so he tries to step on, then taking away your finger before he grabs you and giving him a treat. You can get him to bob his head by holding the treat near his feet so he has to reach down to get it, then giving it to him after he straightens up. There are loads of other easy ones too. Good luck.

 

[willwelsh816]

what kinds of treats do cockatiels like?

 

[boabab95]

Mine Used to LOVE almonds and Kiwi... my Maroon-bellied Conure does get lazy at times espcially if it's rainy out(not sure why?)..

 

[willwelsh816]

can i try pineaples?

 

[Quantumcat]

Try a huge variety of foods until you find the thing he goes nuts for. A hint is to try really sugary foods that are easy to eat and really fatty foods that are easy to eat. Of course if it's a human-food and really processed, keep the treats to really tiny amounts. Good luck

P.S. Try jam, honey, peanut butter, bread with the above, bread by itself, butter, sugar (wet your fingertip, dip into sugar), any sort of nut (almond, cashew, peanut), canned pineapple, canned pear, apple puree, hot chips (remove salt if possible), cold chips, biscuits with no chocolate in them (aussie biscuits not american ones!).

 

[willwelsh816]

^why canned foods, would there be something up with using fresh pinapples

 

[JawzX]

canned fruit tends to be sweeter, and (possibly) a better enticement, its also almost always pasturized or irradiated for those who are afriad of germs and bugs... It may or may not have less pesticide residue, but if you have fresh pineapple, I would use it. (personal opinion)

 

[Quantumcat]

Fresh stuff is just a bit more expensive, and like the above person said it may have bugs, dirt or pesticides on it, also canned stuff has been sitting in juice for ages and is softer. That's why you might use it as a treat, easier to eat = more enjoyable for the bird (except when giving them actual meals, in which case you give them some fun if they have to work for their food).