Timbersmom

As Judy said, he will step up easier outside the cage. After Timber started stepping up easily, I made the mistake of sticking my arm in the cage for him to step up. I was rewarded with a bite. That is his safe place and his territory, and he doesn't want my arm invading his space. Outside the cage? No problem (most of the time). However it took 3 months for me to get him to step up. He did a couple of times when I first brought him home, but then the honeymoon was over and he was having none of it. One more thing which may not be applicable to you. Timber will not, under any circumstances, step up on my hand. He steps up on my forearm. He is rehomed, and he apparently has a problem with hands in his past. He takes treats, petting etc. with hands, but won't step up. Also, he doesn't like the words "step up." Bad connotations from the past I guess. We use "wanna go" instead of step up. That little change made the world of difference.

Zydeco is a good looking guy! Hello and welcome People with more experience will chime in. I rehomed my TAG last year and it took 2-3 months for him to get comfortable with me. Time and patience wins the day, and trust has to be earned. My advice would be to follow his lead. When he is ready for more interaction he will let you know. Spend quiet time with him just sitting near his cage, talking to him, some even read to them. I left Timber's door open and let him decide when he was going to come out. Good luck and God bless

Hello and welcome

No fun I'm sure, but must be done!

Good news from the vet! What a relief.

LOL Fast learners indeed

We get up at 6 AM. Timber is in the kitchen with me while I fix breakfast and get things together for the day. He watches me put on my makeup in the bathroom and do my stuff, all the while attempting to get down to the floor to harass the cats, who are also following me around in the morning. I give him breakfast, put vegetables on his skewer that hangs in the cage, and put a forage box (cardboard box with shredded paper, coffee filter, foot toys and treats) in the bottom of his cage for his entertainment while I am gone. He also has some forage type toys in the cage that I put something in. At 7 AM, he has to go in the cage and I have to leave. He knows the drill, when I say "gotta go to work" he goes straight in the cage (most of the time) without a fuss. Sometimes, if he is particularly interested in the forage item I put in there, he goes sooner because he can't wait to get at it. His avian light comes on at 7 AM and goes off at 3 PM. My husband gets home at 2 PM. He doesn't let Timber out of the cage (my husband is in constant motion and can't watch him), but he takes his skewer out and checks his food. He also interacts with him wherever he is in the house (whistling etc.). Timber tolerates hubby, but is bonded to me. I get home at 4:30 and let him out. He goes wherever I go. About 7 PM we have cuddle time then he goes to bed about 7:30. My biggest concern is leaving the skewer in too long, but he doesn't eat much of it and it isn't a perfect world!

What a beautiful baby! I have four perches of different materials and size in Timber's cage. Someone with more experience will come along and give you a better answer. Good luck and God bless

You are fortunate indeed. Mine was so wobbly that it wouldn't stand alone. The way we rigged it works fine and it was cheap, so I'm not complaining!

LOL Little drill sergeants aren't they. Timber seems to think he is the boss of my four cats too. It's funny to watch him try to interact with them (they ignore him). He gets so frustrated! He's like "I'm the boss and you aren't listening!"

That would be a heart-stopper! So glad Cappy is OK...

I wouldn't take any chances either. Not worth it!

Hello and welcom Iffkica and Puki Sounds like you are settling right in. God bless

I'm using avian sun. the floor stand it came with didn't fit together well, so I mounted the "arm" thing to the wall so I can adjust the height. When I ordered it, it was the only one I found. When I have to replace the bulb this summer, I will check these others out.

Yippy! indeed. Good job!

LOL His perfect imitation of your voice never ceases to amaze me!

When I am in the living room with Timber on his playstand, he is always whistling. Sometimes I whistle back (I'm about 2 feet away), but other times I'll say "use your words Timber" like you do with a child. When I say that, he often will. I think he knows what I mean.

Wow, just amazing how fast they start looking "like a cockatiel!"

Loved the pics Like your name choices too (not sure about Toothless Congratulations and enjoy.

Enjoyed the pics, that is a happy looking bunch! Thanks for sharing.

Welcome Sohn and Tequila! Looking forward to pics

Hello and welcome back!

The avian light thing came up in another post recently. My advice is to carefully read the instructions with the light. There is a "burn in" time (number of hours on) during which the light is needs to be about a foot further away. After the burn in time is over, you move it closer. I did that and didn't have any problems with the light hanging over Timber's cage. Another forum member (sorry, I read all the posts and forget who said what) said to watch the voltage or wattage. Hopefully whoever that was will chime in.

Just goes to show that they are never to old to do new things! Hope my Timber will pick up on the words one of these days as well. He is about 5 and I've had him almost 8 months. He will chatter when I'm in another room, but doesn't say much when I'm with him. Good for Alfie!

Great news and what a lot of progress you have made! Good going