Originally posted by ScantyNebula


pcb .. you said "Cockatiels ARE very friendly and social by nature, but when people don't know how to deal with them properly, they don't learn how to deal with humans either."

So what IS the proper way to deal with them? This is what I don't get. I'll tell you what I'm doing now. I'm not putting my hands near the cage unless I'm A) Refilling their bowls or B) Giving them some treats like Millet or crackers.

What I meant by saying that was I think their PREVIOUS owners didn't handle them properly...not YOU. You just got them. The way they were raised in their previous home is probably what's affecting their personality.

If you're not putting your hands near them unless you're filling their bowls or giving them treats, they're not going to learn to like your hands. You NEED to put your hands near them as much as possible. That's how they get used to you.

When my birds were new, I would constantly go to the cage, open the door, and put my hand inside. Muffin would run up and cling to the bars, and Popcorn would try to attack me. I didn't back off. I kept my hand there. Everyday, I would put my hand in the cage, bringing it closer to them, day by day. Sometimes I would hold millet in my hand, in a way that they couldn't get it unless they came right to my hand. You need to tempt them to come to you. You need to put your hands near them often. If you don't, they'll think their attacking works in pushing you away, and will only attack more. Once they know their attacking/backing off is not going to work in keeping you away from them, they begin to warm up to you. When they walk on the carpet, sit down beside them and talk to them. You might want to try to lay down too. Anything to get closer to them and make them feel less threatened. It might take time, but if you're persistent, hopefully, it will work.