new cockatiel

[kellyyouse]

Hi all--

I brought my 4-month old boy cockatiel home on Saturday afternoon--he's the cutest little guy :) But I'm wondering about some behavior that I'm hoping more experienced bird parents can explain.

He sits in one spot for most of the day, only moving to stretch a leg or wing. He didn't eat until Sunday and then, only nibbled on a millet spray. He ate a little Zupreem today, but only from my hand. He barely makes a sound. The strangest thing happened Sunday night, though. After a very quiet day, he suddenly starting moving around his cage at an agitated pace, climbing up and down the bars, moving from perch to perch, and letting out some squawks. Then he stopped where he was and settled down.

Is this normal for newly-home tiels (or other birds)? Can I expect my little guy to warm up to me soon?

Here's a pic of my boy :)


Thanks!
Kelly

[LAPC_tina]

well at first, i kno that your bird was just a little bit scared, and now, he has probably started getting used to his new home! good luck!!

tina

[krazy4birds]

What a beautifull little 'tiel you have there...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am thinking also that he is probably very nervous right now and I think for a couple days you should let him get accustomed to his new home. Talk to him gently as you feed and water but do not push any interactions for awhile. A 'tiel is a wonderfull pet and can give you years of enjoyment. They can learn to talk ( I have a 2 yr.old male that will talk your ear off hahaha) and they love to show off. Just go slow and let him learn to trust you then you will have a lifetime friend!!! GOOD--LUCK!!!!!!

[Squawksx3]

How cute is he!!! Congratulations!

Like the others said, this is all new to him and birds take things very slowly.. give him time and he'll be fine. Sometimes it would take up to 2 weeks before our new guys would come around... let him do it at his own pace ;) .. have fun with him!

[Mrs.Birdy]

What a cutie little cockatiel you have there. My tiel did the very same thing when she first came home.

Give him time to adjust......keep talking to him through the cage and he will come around. A good thing to do is to keep the cage door open if you can so he will eventually feel safe about coming out.

As far as eating...my vet once told me that birds don't intentionally starve themselves. So once he's comfortable, he will eat. It is great you're starting him on Zupreem pellets....they are very high quality and its also great he is eating from your hand already...that's a sign that he is bonding to you. Good job !!

Good luck with your new little one.

Oh and by the way....I can tell he's a male already because he looks like he has loads of personality....the females are a bit more reserved.

What's his name?

[spears]

Yup thats sounds like normal behaiver.. My little guy did the same thing when i first brought him home. The weird thing is I would open the door to his cage and he would always come to me, he never ran even the first day I had him. The second day all he wanted me to do is scratch his head.

[CheeriO]

congrats what a beautiful cockatiel

[kellyyouse]

Thanks everyone for the advice and comments--they're definitely a relief!

Lately, he's taken to sitting on this little platform I have attached to the cage door, and he'll let me open the door while he sits there. He gets a little nervous if I get too close, so I've been keeping some distance. Occasionally, I bribe him with millet spray ;) But I also sit by his cage and just talk to him now and then. He has had a few more of his crazy episodes--we think he's trying to take off flying, but just can't find a good spot. He does this cute little take-off dance in different parts of his cage when he has one of these episodes. Oddly, they've all been occuring just after 6:30pm. Could there be a reason for the timing?

I hope I haven't scared him off by interacting too soon. This is all so new to me! But little by little I have noticed him becoming more comfortable around me. He doesn't jump as much when I move by his cage as he did his first two days.

As for name, my husband has taken to calling him "Bongo," because he feels it fits the little guy's crazy antics. I've been indecisive, but I have a feeling Bongo just may be the right name for him :)

Again, thanks all!
Kelly

[krazy4birds]

Bongo is a great name and I wanted to tell you that I love your avatar....that is so cute!