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Post by Sarah on Nov 2, 2013 21:54:32 GMT
Okay, so the first thing to learn about cockatiel language is crest posture: it's how the best communicate their feelings. Flat down is anger. If her crest is plastered down and she is crouching low, that means she is angry or scared - but above all that she is in attack mode. You don't want to reach at her, because she will attack your fingers. While this pinches and doesn't do any real damage worth mentioning, it will damage your relationship. It's best to back off and talk to her from a few feet away until she calms down. This will often be paired with one of two noises: a soft, frustrated cry of distress like "Argh!" or outright screaming like a temper tantrum. Neither noise is good. Your bird needs space. A gentle curve up with the crest relaxed is your best posture. That means your bird is feeling calm, happy and probably cuddly. This is when your bird is comfortable and ready to interact with you gently. It's the best time to work on your bond with soft touches and head scratches. This posture might be accompanied by a wide range of good noises: soft coos, squeaks and whistles as she speaks to you in her own language. So long as her crest is relaxed at the top with just the tip curling up, you know she is in a happy place. This is also the time when she is most likely to create mimicry noises: she is trying to get your attention. A partially erect crest shows playfulness, curiosity or interest. It's a good sign, but they aren't interested in being coddled. It's a good time to learn what games your bird might like to play, and to make sure she is getting good exercise. She may also want private time to explore and find things to play with on her own Sounds in this stance are usually louder, shriller and there are usually some loud contact calls. A crest directly up shows fear or alarm - something is startling your bird or making her uncomfortable. This is a time to quietly give her some room or some time to feel better about the situation.
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Post by roxhum on Nov 3, 2013 2:53:10 GMT
Thank you Sarah. That is very helpful and great pictures to illustrate.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 3, 2013 3:05:47 GMT
Question: (I'm full of em) Lucy sometimes gets angry and tries to bite me when I first offer my finger for her to perch on while she's in her cage. If I pull away then offer it again she'll get on no problem. And then she'll be fine in her outside of the cage time. Is there a way to eliminate the biting? It's more of a nibble but I don't want her to hate me!
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Post by roxhum on Nov 3, 2013 5:17:06 GMT
Sweetie does that too. I wouldn't say sweetie is angry but her first reaction is to back from my hand and bob her head with her crest somewhat back
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Post by Sarah on Nov 3, 2013 18:21:52 GMT
Sure, this is pretty common. It's just that they are feeling intimidated and like they don't have a choice in the matter. You have a few options: you could open the cage door and let your bird approach you before offering your hand: this is what I do with Pirate. I don't reach into his cage while he is inside. It is his house to feel safe in. I wait for him to fly out or walk down to the opening before I offer him my hand.
You can also offer your hand close to, but about six inches away from your bird and just talk to her. If she is super interested she might walk over to you and climb up. If she doesn't react, you can inch a little closer slowly. If she backs away right from the beginning or starts to shift in place or put her crest back, you know she feels like being alone for the moment. It sounds like your birds object to having a finger shoved at them: I'm sure you are quite gentle, but we are just so big in comparison to them that it can be unnerving.
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Post by Emily on Nov 3, 2013 18:54:44 GMT
That's what I read to do on cockatielcottage. When Pepper wants out she leaves on her own or waits by the door. She now is learning how to lift up the door on her own, then she picks it up and slams it down until I open it up lol.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 3, 2013 20:26:23 GMT
Lol Emily that's funny! How old is pepper now?
Thanks Sarah, I'll have to try that! I don't want an aggressive little bird lol
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Post by Emily on Nov 3, 2013 20:49:20 GMT
It will give you the fuzzy warm feelings knowing that Lucy went out of her way to find you (Well...meaning she left the cage for you on her own free will) Miss Pepper is 3 months old now! Her birthday is July 21 and I intend on celebrating it each year like I would for my daughter's or husband's birthday Maybe make a bird safe mini cake
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Post by Pammy on Nov 3, 2013 21:29:39 GMT
Hey, that's my hubby's birthday! We'll have to have a party for them! Happy birthday to Aron and Pepper! Haha!! I'm imagining my husband's face. Heeee!!!!!
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Post by Emily on Nov 3, 2013 21:34:41 GMT
Wow that's awesome! That is such a cool coincidence :)Now I know I'll never forget, because you can remind me
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 3, 2013 23:10:29 GMT
I picked up Lucy's DNA certificate today
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Post by roxhum on Nov 4, 2013 1:31:49 GMT
Sarah thank you so much for your input. It is so helpful to me with Sweetie. Another question: Sweetie flies from her cage to my shoulder, her choice. When I turn my face towards her and talk gentle to me she does the head bob and hits my shoulder with her beak. She may even make a squeak sound. It doesn't feel friendly to me. Actually as I type this I am experimenting. If I turn my head just part way and slowly she is better and may even lean into me and nibble on my lip. Am I correct to think that is unfriendly behavior? Do you think she will get better as she gets to know and trust me? Again, today is just two weeks, or day one of week three.
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Post by roxhum on Nov 4, 2013 1:44:20 GMT
Ouch! Sweetie keeps pinching a little piece of my skin on my neck. Repeatedly. It hurts. What's up with that? Is she preening me? She won't let me scratch her. I am putting her away.
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Post by Sarah on Nov 4, 2013 17:34:41 GMT
Okay so the head bobbing thing just sounds like playfulness. Pirate does that when he is really excited or becoming overstimulated. She is probably just releaved to be experianceing something beyond the four walls of her cage. The beak tapping is more concerning: that's a pretty typical cockatiel dominance display, usually preformed by males who want to claim territory or a female. She's probably trying to tell you that she intends to rule the roost - most likely because she is still not 100% comfortable. I would just give it time.
Lip nibbling, however, is a very good sign. She is showing you curiosity and affection: offering an olive branch while she is within her comfort zone. As to the skin pinching: she was almost certainly trying to groom you and that is actually a good sign. When Pirate finds a mole, freckle or little skin tag on someone, he will try to remove it with great vigor. She thinks she is helping you, removing a parasite or cleaning a small wound of debris. This is instinctual, and as I like to say, you can't break instinct in an animal. A dog will always look for scraps of food on the floor, a cat will always want to jump and climb, and birds will always be trying to clean our hides lol. The best way I have found is actually appealing to that instinct. To show Pirate that he is hurting me in a bad way that he can understand, I make a high pitched squeaky sound of displeasure, much like he would if I were trimming his nails or if his tail got caught in something on his many misadventures as a baby.
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Post by roxhum on Nov 8, 2013 2:28:27 GMT
Sarah, a belated thank you for your post. It is so very helpful as I get to know Sweetie Pie. I just looked again at the pictures you posted to demonstrate cockatiel behavior. They are exceptional pictures. I love the picture showing the one cockatiel preening the other. I sure wish Sweetie would stop preening me. Ouch! thankfully because it is getting cooler so wear a sweatshirt and pull the ties tight around my neck.
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