Adopting a bird pet like a cockatiel can be tricky because you need to get used to it before any training. So how to make a cockatiel trust and like you?
Cockatiels are companion bird species that need to live with someone. However, it takes time for them to really get into a new environment.
The very first time of encounter can be the most difficult period for both a cockatiel and its owner. Like humans, the bird gets nervous and scared when meeting a strange person. It takes you time to understand a cockatiel and you also need some strategies to get your bird to accept you as its owner. But it is worth it because you will have a great time with your bird and be proud of yourself. Now let’s equip yourself with some knowledge to go through this challenge.
How to get a cockatiel to like you?
What you need to do is to build a strong bond with the cockatiel which will develop an attachment and firm you. Then, the bird could be obsessed with you! Firstly, let your bird get accustomed to the new surroundings instead of talking to it immediately after taking it home. The bird will gradually get comfortable in your presence and accept you as a caregiver. Spending your time becoming its best friend naturally is how to get a cockatiel like you.
Here are some steps and tips to help you do that:
Have a chit chat with your cockatiel
Like humans, cockatiels build trust through frequent communication. That is the way you get acquainted with your bird, gently take a seat and talk to them as often as possible. It is ideal that you can approach the cockatiel’s cage everyday slowly and chat with them. Then, day after day you can notice the bird will listen to you when you talk to them instead of the initial scary attitude.
On the very first days, try to not talk to them with a normal voice which is quite loud to the new bird. And do not touch or put your hands in its cage. Gentle and consistent chit chats are enough during this time.
Do things near to the cockatiel
Again, time is the key to build trust and make a cockatiel like you. If the bird has not yet fully trusted you, it can get tense if you approach it. In this case, try to do something else close to the bird. You can do everything like doing housework or doing paperwork close to the bird. This gets the bird to get used to your presence and your activities, then feel comfortable to have you around.
Give your bird treat once in a while
When the bird has an attachment to you and no longer gets afraid of you, it is likely to trust you and you can start the training process. In this stage, you can approach your cockatiel’ s cage gently and give your bird a treat when it approaches your hand. The treats should be its favorite food. At the same time, talking to it slowly and gently can improve your relationship even more solidly.
Learn more about the cockatiel’s body language
Your bird cannot talk, so it is important that you can understand its body language showing its moods and feelings. So when it has some problems and it makes a strange sound or behavior, you can realize and help to handle it. For example, a cockatiel often shakes its head when it gets irritated or dislikes a kind of food. This can make your bird even more like to be beside you.
How do you know if the cockatiel likes you?
Based on the bird’s behavior, you can know if it likes you or not. If it doesn’t, it will bite you or show an aggressive manner when it comes to you. The following behaviors present that the cockatiel really likes you, and you should be happy and get proud of yourself when seeing those:
- Regurgitation – With their mate, cockatiels are very friendly and need affection and often offer food to them. So congratulations! If your bird sometimes regurgitates, that means it considers you as its mate by offering food to you. That is when your bird has actually developed a strong attachment to you.
- Preen your hair – Like regurgitation, cockatiels often groom their mate, which is a sign of affection. So that means the same way when your bird preens your hair, just shows how it loves you!
- Wag its tails with flash eyes – That action is a sign of excitement. And that means the bird really wants to play and bond with you and needs to have affection from you.
- March toward you with heads up – Doing this body language, your bird wants to get your attention. It wants to have you play with it, pet it or preen. Understanding that, you can’t help going to play with your loving bird.
Final thoughts
In the beginning as a bird owner, you can see that getting a cockatiel to like you is a challenge. But when you really become friends with each other and your bird enjoys staying with you, you can see it as a very fulfilling one. This post gives you some simple but effective ways to get the bird’s trust and to like you. Your time and effort will make the bird see you as its companion.
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