My cockatiel suddenly doesn’t like me?

[koyajo]

Hi! I have had my cockatiel for a little over a year and I got him when he was just a baby. We have bonded and about a few months ago he went into a stage which he was really moody and didn’t want to be held or touched and I knew that was normal but then he went back to always wanting to be with me and was super friendly again but for like the past week he acts like he doesn’t know me and is acting like he isn’t even tame anymore. I don’t think I did anything to loose his trust I just have been normal. He’s super afraid of my hands but I don’t grab him or touch his winds or back. He just instantly won’t come near me except fly onto my head and still sings and dances. Any thoughts?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It sounds like he might be having hormone swings since this has happened twice now. I'd just give him his space and let him come to you as his hormones calm down.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I agree with DonnaBUdgie. Sounds like he's hormonal. Best to let him have his own space and try to keep him away from dark corners that could be turned into nests.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I know it's upsetting when your baby seems to turn on you. A lot of birds get rehomed when this happens. Please just be patient. He'll come around.

 

[koyajo]

I know it's upsetting when your baby seems to turn on you. A lot of birds get rehomed when this happens. Please just be patient. He'll come around.

Yeah it’s sad but I have had him since he’s a baby and hand fed him so when he’s grumpy it’s okay lol he’s staying here no matter his attitude

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Yeah it’s sad but I have had him since he’s a baby and hand fed him so when he’s grumpy it’s okay lol he’s staying here no matter his attitude

Birditude. They are have it sometimes.

 

[Kelly556]

It sounds like he might be hormonal. Be patient and give it time to pass. Many cockatiels, especially males, can be super sweet one moment and aggressive the next. Is he getting enough sleep?
Cockatiels that are less than a year old a sweeter and less aggressive, I find that the older they get the more aggressive they become due to hormones and all that lol. This is just my experience though.
Have you noticed other changes in his behavior?? Like getting attached to inanimate objects e.g toys in his cage? Does he go hide in dark spots? Nesting behavior?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I had a male cockatiel years ago that was handraised and he never went through any bad phase. Never bit anyone. Just a loverboy. Always whistling tunes. Liked everyone. Said "Charlie boy". I guess I was really lucky. I didn't do anything specific to make him so nice. I didn't realize how lucky I was at the time.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I think my Charlie was an exception to the norm. He didn't even seem to have a "puberty" phase. Now, my goffins cockatoo was a HANDFUL!