New Cockatiel, help please! (video included)

[ChantallRose]

Hello and greetings from Hungary.

I'm a "new" parrot owner (I had a few kinds of birds many years ago though), and I've got a young (probably 4-5 months old?) Cockatiel 11 days ago from a pet store.

Situation is the following:
The first 2 days Cookie was upset and scared, which I found normal.
I've been watching a lot of videos and guides, how to tame and handle a parrot of this kind. Trying to be patient and slow, not getting angry or aggressive with the bird.
Now he (or she? let's stay at he,this is what they said at the store,but I'm not entirely sure) is not that scared of my hand anymore, yesterday I could handfeed him with a bit of millet, but after a few seconds he just runs away and becomes scared.

I'm changing his water on a daily basis, but he doesn't drink much. Even if there are 2 different water bowls on 2 different spots in the cage, he doesn't seem to find it. I tried to show him several ways, but yet he is still scared of my hand moving in the cage. I saw him drinking probably like 3 times, which is not much. It's too bad.

There is a more annoying thing, and I think it is a usual problem with Cockatiels: Screams.
We are on the 6th floor, and our street is kinda "noisy", every time an ambulance or bus passes by, or a dog barks, he gets angry/scared/annoyed and start to scream and fly around. I'm afraid he'll get himself hurt by doing these.
The noises aren't too loud, but I learned they can hear sounds a lot louder than us.

I was thinking to bring him back to the pet store, because our environment might not be the best for him, I'm helpless. First I'd like to ask for some help here.
One more thing is important to mention: I'm self employed, so I work at home, I'm at home all day long with my bird, talking to him (even singing,lol), trying to tame, etc,etc. However he still gets his 8-10 hours of sleep and nap time, so it's not like I disturb him all day long.

Our apartment is small, I can't replace him to another room. I can't do anything with the noises coming from outside, windows, doors are closed, the parrot still goes mad. Usually from 7 AM in the morning until 3-4 PM, then he probably gets tired and he remains calm. Until the next morning.

These are the videos, today he did these for hours. Now I had to cover him, because I either become deaf or go crazy, also I can't have a phone call with my clients, they can't hear me properly.
I don't want to keep my bird covered, this is the first time I did this and I really really don't want to. Please help me. Thank you!

Videos:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbpLDTSSkqA"]Cockatiel doesn't like certain noises, this is his reaction... - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmFLzqSvIYY"]Cockatiel screaming - YouTube[/ame]

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

What a pretty cockatiel Cookie is! If you could, I'd get a much larger cage, and provide a plethora of toys for him.

Please have a look at some of these links, to see how members house their birds.

http://www.parrotforums.com/budgies-parakeets-cockatiels/49150-budgie-cage-makeover.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/budgies-parakeets-cockatiels/56223-final-cage-update.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/budgies-parakeets-cockatiels/30216-finally-found-new-cage-tiels.html

 

[ChantallRose]

Thank you for your fast reply! Since I'm at home, I planned to get him out of the cage for a couple of hours every day, of course when he is already tamed. So in this case, they said this cage is more than enough for him.
So far he has only 1 toy, but never touched it, he is literally scared of that thing. Same situation with the swing. He only "tried" it once, when he accidently jumped on it during his "episode". I also had a self made colorful string made from straws, but I had to remove it, because he touched it once and freaked out..

I might try getting a bigger cage and more toys for him, but at first, I'd like to make him calm somehow.

 

[MosaicMadness]

I agree that I'd get a bigger cage and also add more toys. I'd also include some foraging type toys to keep the tiel busy longer. Keep in mind, that if you take him out 1-2 hours/day, it's in the cage for 22-23 hours! Something has to keep it entertained or it will become a bored bird.... bored bird= loud, destructive, plucky, etc.

 

[ChantallRose]

He has this swing and toy for a week already, and he never touched them..That's why I think, he doesn't need more until he is calm. Main problem again: noise from the street -> bird freaks out. Everytime. Ambulance, dog, child crying, bus, cars, people throwing out glass to the trash can (it is loud) etc. When everything is silent in the evening, or during the day, he is calm. I don't think toys would help the situation, since he is now afraid of even the toys, I need a solution for this. Also toys won't make him drink water. That's another problem. He doesn't drink!

If he is tamed, I planned to keep the cage open, also take him out for 4-5 hours or more, since I have time. I don't mind cleaning after him.

 

[JerseyWendy]

How was he housed before you brought him home? Was he with other cockatiels/birds? He may still feel utterly lost and lonely, possibly missing his feathered friends.

It can take a long time for a bird to feel at ease.

By the way, he's not screeching, he's 'contact calling'.

Some cockatiels are 'noisier' than others and vocalize more, and more frequently.

Perhaps he doesn't like the toy you provided, that's why he hasn't played with it. Variety is key. Patience is a must.

 

[MosaicMadness]

Unfortunately cockatiels are known for "night frights" and the scared flutter. Maybe put on the TV or radio to disguise the outside noises from him?

 

[mekat]

First off birds scream, birds bite, and tiels especially are prone to night frights. If you buy an untamed bird you might be able to tame it but you need to be prepared to deal with the possibility he may never like hands or people. Cockatiels play, sometimes if they are young it may take them some time to learn to play. Tiels at a minimum should have a 20 inch by 20 inch cage (or 50.8cm x 50.8cm) that is bare minimum not ideal but adequate. One toy is not adequate. Not only should you have several toys but you should have extra toys so you can rotate them out from time to time. Please do some research everything I typed in this paragraph is basic knowledge and ideally something every person should be aware of before they bring a new cockatiel home.

As far as hands in the cage, move slowly don't sneak up on him. Offer millet in an open hand and be prepared to stay stationary for a long time. If your bird eats it out of your hand that means you are starting to build trust. Also teach your bird to step up on a hand held perch. Don't move him out of his comfort zone the cage just play elevator. Practice having him step up on a perch and move that perch to another perch do this a couple times a day until stepping up is automatic. Never grab your bird or force them. They are prey animals and will frighten easily. It can take a month or more for a bird to settle in and feel safe in its environment.

As for the drinking, if you seen him drink once he is fine don't worry about it. I rarely see my cockatiel or budgies drink but I know they do.

Your posts make it clear you did not bother to do your homework before bringing a living animal into your care. You need to make the commitment to do your research and follow proven advice.

 

[MikeyTN]

Wendy sums it up right there what I was going to say. He is doing contact calling and probably was housed with his siblings or other tiels. What you can do in this instance is by talking to him, if you can whistle do it, otherwise make funny noises and just act silly. He'll come around eventually.

Cockatiels are nervous birds to begin with but he can acclimate to your situation with the noise but it just takes time and patience. They start to get active at first light. A bigger cage would be nice like it was suggested above. Once calm, you would find them quite sweet and funny.

By the way, they don't drink much.

 

[ChantallRose]

Thank you for all the replies!

@mekat: Thanks, I did a lot of research by the way, for days. The woman at the pet store said, I shouldnt put in more than 1-2 toys for 2 weeks at least, I should not make the cage too crowded, until he gets used to the environment.
If I wouldn't do any research, I wouldn't be here asking for help either, because I wouldn't bother then.
As I said, he is with me for only 11 days. Of course I make everything step by step and won't put in 5-6 toys at once, he is afraid of that one too, he still haven't touched it. And the other colorful thingy, he freaked out of it.
Do people actually read what I say? The bird freaks out of everything. Don't judge me just because I'm desperate and asking for help. I know what he should eat, how should I tame him slowly, how much nap time he needs, what I shouldnt do, etc. My only problem is: he is scared from certain noises, which is not caused by me.
Just now, he heard a random crow from outside, and he started to scream. Is it because the lack of toys? Because of the small cage? No, he is scared. I need a solution for this.

Mosaic, Radio works sometimes, but I realized he really hates John Legend already. Other music is fine.

Today he ate millet from my hand again (not directly from my palms, but its something) and now he is silent mostly, but because it's evening here. I'm wondering what he gonna do next morning.

It is probably what you guys said, he was with 2 other cockatiels in one small cage (a lot smaller than mine,however pet store is just a temporary place..), he is looking for his mates, he is scared alone, and such :/

I'll keep you guys updated, thank you so much again.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Is there a quieter place in your apartment where you can put him? A place where there isn't so much outside noise?

We ARE reading what you are saying, but it appears as if you don't like what we are suggesting.

You say he's afraid of everything, including the toy. He has learn how to play - literally. If he was cramped in a cage with more cockatiels his short life, he knows absolutely nothing yet, and he doesn't trust anyone, including you.

If you insist on keeping him in those 'tight' quarters, I would remove the swing, add some 'natural' perches (lose the round ones, they're not good for his feet), and then add some 'natural' looking toys for him.

One of my parrots was afraid of toys initially, and this is what I built him, and slowly started adding color and texture.
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27060-natural-toy-macaw-amazon.html

 

[mekat]

Yes, they can get used to noises. I actually vacuum the food, shredded toys and feathers out of the cage every single day and it is a very loud vacuum. My birds are used to it now they don't get frightened. I have a technology dependent child that has pump alarms and home health aides coming and going. Once again they get used to the noise and bustle because it becomes their norm.

 

[Kalel]

I agree with all of the above also. I do believe that they can adjust to loud noises as well as mekat has mentioned. Just to use my sun conure as an example, when I first brought him home he would flinch or jump at sudden loud noises but now you can sneeze, vacuum, or even drop a plate on the floor and usually he barely even flinches. Of course all birds are different and if yours is naturally more nervous it may not ever get to the point where it's 100% comfortable, but 11 days is still pretty early for the young bird. In time, he will probably get more and more used to his environment and the noises will hopefully bother him less and less. For now, as JerseyWendy recommended, maybe try to find a quieter corner for him would be a great idea. Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[MikeyTN]

I run my vacuum in their cage often as well like mekat does. I was vacuuming in the middle of the night last night at 1am and they're so not afraid of the vacuum cleaner, somehow they think it's bath time when the vacuum cleaner is going as I know many others encounter the same thing... :32:

 

[gracebowen]

My tiels have adjusted to the noise. I also keep a small fan on all the time. Mine still don't play much with toys.

To get them to play at all I had to play with them (the toys) first. It still took a long time. Jet my male tiel likes to chew things and fiddle with them in his mouth. He takes an unsalted pretz of shredded paper and wiggles it through side to side several times.

Having toys to play with distracts them.

 

[shan__p]

he might be freaking out about being alone, get it some company another tiel maybe.