My cockatiel is sad

[Tengo.Arwen]

I got my cockatiel last week, Petstore wasnt sure exactly but they told me that she was 9 month. I think shes a girl and i named her Arwen, shes white/grey
I got her toys but with toys she doesnt seem to be interested and she is very quite all the time, except every morning when i move her next to my window, thats when she starts whistling for a little and i keep cage door open so she comes out, (she cant fly) im trying to train her and put her on my hands and teach her step up, she also doesnt like to eat any vegetables she just seems very bored, lately ive noticed that she gets puffy and stays bottom of the cage, I also dont want to force her into anything,

what should i do? should i keep her cage doors open and let her out when she wants, should i try to buy her different food? her cage isnt huge as well btw i just want her to be happy i know shes only 9 month and she just got to new enviroment but i would really appreciate the help, thanks )

 

[Sunnyclover]

Take her to the vet! She sounds sick to me because being puffed up at the bottom of the cage is one of the signs of illness.

 

[itzjbean]

Congrats on the new cockatiel! We would love to see pictures of Arwen!

With only a week in your care, it is still very early. There are many things you can do to work on gaining her trust, so be sure to give this a read -- Tips for Bonding and Building Trust

Her being 'puffy' and sitting on the bottom of the cage is a concern. I would encourage you to bring this new bird to a vet for a wellness check and also check for diseases. It will ensure she is healthy and has no health problems.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Wonderful advice!
A week, yes, is such a short time for a l'il birdie to adjust to a brand new world!
That bonding thread is a great one.
Ditto on the fluff issue. It's great to have an avian vet on hand in case of emergencies/accidents...
Good for you, for reaching out and being open-minded!

 

[LeaKP]

Indeed, a vet visit please! All good advice here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[texsize]

yes, take her to a vet. fluffed up and sitting at the bottom of the cage is a RED flag that something is wrong.

good luck and keep us updated.

texsize

 

[eagle18]

Please take her to a vet or back to the store and see if their vet can evaluate her. I don't like the sitting on the floor, all puffed out.

 

[LordTriggs]

sitting on the floor puffed up isn't sadness. That's illness, get to a vet

 

[Tengo.Arwen]

Ive noticed that shes not always at the bottom puffed up, today morning when imoved her to the window she was excited and was whistling a little, but im still gonna take her to the vet anyways just to make sure.
Also should i still take her out of the cage? i dont force her i just leave the door open and if she wants to she comes out and once she gets bored or i have to go to work i have to pick her up because she doesnt come to me.

thank you guys for you help )


Arwen
https://ibb.co/eKPxrn

 

[bug_n_flock]

AWWWWWW What a cutie!

Looks like some pearling on the wings? If your bird is as old as they say, chances are she has had her first molt and is indeed a female(boys lose their spots).

I would say to watch very VERY closely or (if my bird I would choose this option) get her to a vet asap. Glad to hear you have chosen to take her in to be seen, things can go south very quickly with such delicate critters as birds.

Cockatiels are such lovely creatures. Mine is my best friend in the world.

By pick her up do you mean restrain? I would not do that, it is a fabulous way to obliterate trust. Talk to her in the cage and try to get her stepping up inside of the cage before you let her out. But at only a week home I would just give her space and talk to her through the bars only for a while.

 

[Tengo.Arwen]

today when i went to the pet store to get some stuff for Arwen i asked the guy who works there how could i tarin my parrot better and he told me just to grab her in the cage and pet her, i didnt say anything but he told me hes been training birds for 10 years, grabing and then petting her sounds strange to me, i dont want to force her into doing anything but what you guys think about his advice?

 

[Jen5200]

I don’t think very highly of his advice (personal preference). There are lots of good resources online and in books that provide great instruction about training birds using positive reinforcement. Parrots are intelligent souls and I believe it can damage your bond and the trust you build with your bird to “force” them to do your bidding. My opinion only, but I definitely encourage you to do some reading before you decide to take his advice.

 

[Sunnyclover]

That guy is wrong. Never "grab" at a bird...EVER! That being said...leave cage door open and coax her out with treats. Wait I til she is ready...it could take time. Sometimes a day and sometimes months but in the end the relationship will be stronger and she'll truly love you because you did it on her terms. If she won't come out just sit and talk to her as long as you can each day, read out loud to her and do your daily activities around her. There are many threads on the forums for training your bird to step up which is an important step in the bonding process.

 

[bug_n_flock]

In Bird Time, 10 years is amateur hour. No disrespect to the pet shop worker but I have had birds for nearly 20 years(I am 27 in a bit over a week and have had my own pet birds since I was 8 years old), and I am still a frickin' newb to the world of birds. Anyone who thinks 10 years' experience in bird training qualifies them as an expert: RUN, don't walk, away from their advice. This person has stopped learning.

 

[smbrds]

Definitely never try and grab her, that could cause her even more stress and distrust issues. She'll come out on her terms when she is ready. As suggested, some food out by her cage or let her eat from your hand. What a cutie she is. Cockatiels are wonderful and loving little birds. In time, she'll come around. Give that thread that was posted earlier a read. Their bond is like no other, but it takes time.

 

[MonicaMc]

Treats... and lots of them!


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88bN30qOjo"]Sunshine in the Morning - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9w9w8nMRmw"]Hesitant Faye - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH9ZWxhCSAE"]Not So Hesitant Faye - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjKmHswgiHs"]Cockatiel Feeding - April 24th - YouTube[/ame]

 

[LordTriggs]

disrespect intended towards that pet shop worker (and all others who think the same) but WRONG! How would you feel if a giant that you're already scared of grabbed you and began rubbing you? Probably a bit traumatized right?

It's far easier to win someone or somebird over with kindness than forcefulness. Treats, bribery, and niceness will win them over faster and better than grabbing

 

[FeatheredMom]

I have the same problem with Tiel! He's a male, he's one year old and I got him 10 days ago. He always sits on the perch with his feathers fluffed up. He moves for food and water (he eats a lot) , and sometimes he just moves to another perch and stays there. He only whistles when I put him near a window especially in the morning.
He's a paired cockatiel and he's got a female for company named Cocka. They don't play together tho, just sit together and sometimes fight.
I am so worried about him and I don't know what to do.

 

[MonicaMc]

Lethargic behavior can sometimes be a sign of illness and a vet checkup to ensure bird(s) is healthy.