The most neurotic creature you've ever met.

[GandalfGreybird]

Hey all,

 

I've had my cockatiel Marble for a few years now, maybe 4-5? I got him from an aviary rescue as my first bird. Now don't get me wrong, I love the little guy, but he's a freakin spaz. He steps up fine, and doesn't bite anywhere near as hard as he could. But he seems to

 

• be "angry" at anything that moves

• doesn't like toys (except his one little mirror)

• not a fan of other birds: whenever i take him in to my local shop for grooming there's always at least one or two other tiels trying to woo him. (first time a beautiful lutino fanned him instantly) but he just gets nervous.

• if i leave the room he does his "help" squawks almost non stop until i leave him there for good while, or come back in.

- his "help" squawk is the same noise he makes if he flies down/up to somewhere he's not comfortable. (like the floor or the face of a curtain).

• I don't think he was hand fed

• maybe have been "netted" with towels in his first home, and grabbed with open hands.

 

If i were to anthropomorphize him a little bit it seems as if since he's intimidated by anything other than his food. I've gotten him much more comfortable with me than he was at first, so progress has been made. He'll even take showers with me now and loves it. I can put my hand over his back to put him in his travel cage etc, and it doesn't stress him out much (not that he likes it). Hes becoming more comfortable with being confined in that way. Useful for grooming etc. He doesn't seem to be food motivated too much, and like i said doesn't like toys. I can scratch his head and neck when he's got pin feathers, or possibly seasonally as well.

 

I'm not sure how to start working with him. I have a lot of background in dog behavior and training, and much of that seems to translate. Obviously with accommodations for species roles etc. He will only take a few types of foods, and only if they're crunchy and tiny. I've toyed around with clicker/targeting, but not given it a good go. I also keep intending to start a crabby journal to keep track of seasons, and how we light the room he's in.

 

Any suggestions as how to get him to open up and become more comfortable and confident would be greatly appreciated. I'm bringing my first grey home in a month or two and would not only like them to be able to enjoy each others company, but not have the grey pick up the "spazz alert" squawks. I realize the tiel may not ever be buddy-buddy with any other bird, but at least if he could be tolerant of them both being out in the same room would be nice.

[Eshana]

If you are sure he's male, get that mirror out of his cage! He could think it's another male and it could be messing with his hormones.

[GandalfGreybird]

I considered that, but the mirror is only a recent addition. He's been "afraid of everything" all 3 years i've had him. The mirror is the only toy he's ever played with. he sings to it in the morning. Freakin adorable. I'm almost positive he wasn't hand fed.

 

Take for example the perch i just made for teh top of his cage (second one). Granted its new, but he's ok with it existing, and will even let me put him on it. But once he's on it he won't move other than turning around. Even with his treat bowl and sprig of millet on the other end.