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Post by Pammy on Dec 3, 2013 0:36:17 GMT
Hi all -- I'd like to hear from people who have a MALE cockatiel, if you are 100% sure he is a male. I'd love if you'd share with me about your relationship with him, his personality, what makes him happy, whether he is a biter or a screamer, how lovey and cuddly he is, whether he likes to be touched and scratched or anything else you can think of that I might like to know or need to know. Please include both good qualities and negative traits so I have a clear picture, and please also tell me whether your bird is typical of the male cockatiel gender, or not so much.
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Post by Sarah on Dec 3, 2013 7:08:53 GMT
Hi Pammy! So I know I have a male tiel Like with any pet, Pirate is not always a bed of roses. He has grumpy moods from time to time, and he fusses from time to time. He is not a biter, because I insist that his wishes are listened to. People don't make him step up or accept cuddles, myself included. They offer, and Pirate either excepts by stepping on the proffered finger or rubbing into an open hand. He is allowed to back away. If one of my nieces or nephews tries to press the matter, Pirate will hit them with his open beak, but he has never once closed his jaw on them or administered so much as a pinch. Pirate is a people bird. He may see me as his bond partner, but he also has a strong relationship with my boyfriend, approaching him for affection and play almost as often as he does me. He also happily meets and seeks to entertain new visitors or infrequent visitors, like my family. He does not always choose to accept affection from new people, but he loves to sing to them and show himself off, opening his wings and strutting his stuff. Pirate is such a wonderful whistler and is so good at copying them, he was able to teach my father to whistle again after a stroke. Pirate is not affectionate 100% of the time. He is often off on his own adventures, or in a singing mood. But he does cuddle with me every.single.day. He trusts me completely. I can pick him up by his body in my hand. I can hold his head or beak between my fingers. I can even lift his wings or manipulate his feet. He grooms my fingers as I rub his cheeks and head, and he grooms my face in return: so gently he can clean my eyelashes without pinching. He even taught himself to walk on my bare skin with his nails held up, so that they won't dig in. Here is some proof: Video coming. Upload didn't work the first time.
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Post by Pammy on Dec 3, 2013 15:35:25 GMT
This is wonderful, Sarah, and I look forward to your video, when you can get it posted. Would you say that Pirate's personality is typical of your average male cockatiel who is treated lovingly, or would you say he is a special case, and I shouldn't expect most other male cockatiels to behave like Pirate does?
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Post by Sarah on Dec 4, 2013 1:41:24 GMT
I would mute this video, my boyfriend is watching star trek in the back ground
Actually, although I love Pirate dearly and we have a wonderful bond, I wouldn't say there is anything particularly unique about him in terms of behavior. I would say any cockatiel that was raised with care by the breeder and the owner like Pirate has been will become just as loving and sweet.
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Post by dianapalmer on Dec 4, 2013 1:58:00 GMT
He's so sweet and adorable! I only hope that Emma will get that affectionate someday.
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Post by Pammy on Dec 4, 2013 2:34:08 GMT
Soooo sweet! What a little darling. I'm so surprised to see how he likes to have his crest twizzled and fiddled with. So cute! Thanks so much for sharing this video, Sarah.
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Post by Pammy on Dec 4, 2013 2:36:19 GMT
My breeder, Mary, told me today that she has never known cockatiels to be screamers. She also explained when a cockatiel might bite, such as when he is grabbed or backed into a corner. She went on to say that I am the one who will form my baby's personality.
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Post by Sarah on Dec 4, 2013 4:29:11 GMT
Yup He really does like it when I rub the base of his crest: I think it must be a hard place to scratch. Also, you may have noticed me gently tugging on some of his feathers. This also feels really nice to him, so long as it is gentle.
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Post by luvsanimals2 on Dec 4, 2013 14:19:23 GMT
that is awesome
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lucyg
Egg
I have a cokaeil aout 15 yo that all of suddent no longer can fly. He is healthy, eats and preens,
Posts: 22
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Post by lucyg on Dec 28, 2013 23:14:25 GMT
I am so jealous. After a full year with my adopted boy he would never let me pet him like this! He only adjusted to my shoulder and likes to hang with us but no touching or fingers. Saw a message here about a cockatiel that bit the owner but he was moved about from different homes over years. Sarah likened this to foster care ( quite clever and correct) as our bird was moved about for 16 years until we took him. So perhaps I need a bit more time or maybe we accept him as is. Just would love a snuggly bird.
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Post by Sarah on Dec 29, 2013 7:02:40 GMT
Its important to do both, Lucy. Accept him for what he is and enjoy the time you have with him, and your bond will grow naturally. This might be hard to believe, but the process is actually very organic. Parrots crave love, affection and physical touch every bit as much, if not more than people do. You just need to create a safe and comfortable environment to let your bird come to you on his terms. Bonds take a lot of time, not a trick or even a lot of effort. Consistent love and time - and when you give those to an animal, you will reap what you sow.
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lucyg
Egg
I have a cokaeil aout 15 yo that all of suddent no longer can fly. He is healthy, eats and preens,
Posts: 22
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Post by lucyg on Jan 17, 2014 23:50:22 GMT
Well as an example my 16 (maybe 17) year old male cockatiel Tuck is sooo much better from over a year ago when we took him, and will allow me to pet his head during peek a boo or when he crawls on the keyboard and really wants to stay on my shoulder all day, but I agree with Sarah that it takes a long time and perhaps years to regain the trust. And maybe we never get where we want to be but we are all handling what are basically wild birds that have been brought into captivity for our pleasure. They are not domestic pets and have wild individual personalities. If you are a great trainer like Sarah, you luck out. If you adopt a damaged bird as I did, you adjust, and do your best for the bird. Believe me you will make huge strides, maybe not as great as you would wish, but in my opinion even small steps were wonderful. BTW, Tuck is quite the screamer when he wants to be with his flock (us) or out of his cage in the morning. Also he like clothes baskets which we refer to as his girlfriends since he tck tcks and spreads his wings in response to dirty laundry. Mr. Weirdo.....
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Post by dianapalmer on Jan 18, 2014 1:45:21 GMT
Lucyg-- Hi. I think you have a great perspective on this. It's helpful to me in thinking about my cockatiel (which I have had for about 3 months, and who s very sweet, but very hands off.)
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lucyg
Egg
I have a cokaeil aout 15 yo that all of suddent no longer can fly. He is healthy, eats and preens,
Posts: 22
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Post by lucyg on Feb 16, 2014 23:15:55 GMT
Well I think Sarah is special in her training but keep doing it Diana to get your babies used to you.
After a couple of weeks reading the posts, I realized Tuck does that hit thing with his open beak that Sarah mentions when he is not interested in people or being social. I never realized that it's a bird way of saying I AM NOT INTO YOU!
But... a short story... My husband, came home from a double shift yesterday at 8 am after a snowstorm and Mr cockateil Tuck was with me & my pit bull ran over to him & was so happy ... Tuck flew to his wet coat while Lucy danced.
Today everyone including our teil came into the kitchen to greet him. When he came home he said... is my family waiting for me.... and they were. Just saying a family can include all our pets! Happy Valentines Day!
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 16:42:37 GMT
Aww, this is very sweet.
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