My cockatiel is 19 and has become cage bound. Is this normal behaviour?

Question by Maree Pearson: My cockatiel is 19 and has become cage bound. Is this normal behaviour?
For the first few years of his life, he was always out and after leaving him with my parents to go overseas, he stayed in his cage and wont let me even pat him. He lives in a big cage and I move him around all day for comfort ie: I follow the sun around outside all day, then inside at night and even in the warm loungeroom in cold weather. I leave the cage door open all the time whilst he is in the house but he onle comes out about once every 2 months. It saddens me and would he be better off with a breeder or other birds? Needless to say he still sings and seems happy.

Best answer:

Answer by Alice
He’s prolly just getting older and just trying to relax more. A lot of animals get cranky as they age. No, he wouldn’t be a good breeder bird because of his age. I think it would be too hard on him. But maybe you could get him another bird friend. If the cage is big enough for 2 tiels, maybe you should get another one to keep him company in there? And another younger tiel might actually encourage him to want to come out of the cage more since the younger one will love coming out of the cage itself.

Other than that, just keep loving him. Talk to him outside his cage, if he doesn’t want to be pet then just leave him be. Always leave the door open though so if he wants to come out he can

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How can I reconcile my pain and guilt over the death of a pet bird that I had cared for & become attached to?

Question by bevmaccat: How can I reconcile my pain and guilt over the death of a pet bird that I had cared for & become attached to?
I was helping a close neighbor feed her 2 cockatiels for 6weeks. The neighbor, not out of town but had just left to be with her boyfriend 5 blocks away. It was becoming clear that I was the only person interested in her birds. I related that I was getting tired of the obligation and was repeatedly told that she would take over. Not sure, I went in many times and found their food and water was nearly empty. I could not let them suffer and fed them for all these weeks. I really felt sorry for them, and I kept going in often.Tuesday I noticed the male who was a free bird, was not in his cage at his normal time, but was sitting by the heater… and he was quiet.
Wed, certain he was ill & called the neighbor, early in the day. She wasn’t alarmed, but came home at 9:30 pm, &agreed he was very sick. She took him to emergency, he died in the night. I have been devasted,and can’t get the memory of him coming to me, to hold comfort & sooth him. It was too little too late. Poor little guy….

Best answer:

Answer by Shnouzer
I lost my pet canary suddenly. I cared for him and loved very much. I still don’t know why he died. He was fine and singing before I went to take a shower and when I got out, he was dead. I was devastated and was hurt. I guess the only thing you can do is remember the bird in good ways and time will heal your pain. I am not sure how fast you will forget but it has been 47 days since my canary died and I still miss him but not as much as I did when he first died. It is always sad to loose a beautiful soul, especially when you know that you did your best and there was nothing you could have done to prevent that incident. I am very sorry and good luck.

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How can I train my pet cockatiel to become friendlier?

Question by The Questioner: How can I train my pet cockatiel to become friendlier?
He is about 2 years old.

Best answer:

Answer by Lindsey89
You really can’t because a bird that breed only is nice to one person and it will only be friends with you. Its not imposable for that to happen though.

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Can cockatiels become depressed after change of environment?

Question by Alexanders Momma: Can cockatiels become depressed after change of environment?
I bought an 8 week old male cockatiel yesterday at a flea market. It’s been years since I’ve had one of these birds and I’ve never had one so young. He tends to sleep most of the time he eats and drinks and goes to the bathroom fine but doesn’t really move around his cage. Even if I set him in the window seal out of the cage he just falls asleep. Is this normal for an 8 week old bird to be so tired or could this change of homes for him be depressing him? He was with other cockatiels at the market, maybe he’s missing them? I’ve played cockateil internet video’s for him and given him a mirror. Will this change as he gets older and more used to his new home? Is there anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable besides spending time with him?

Best answer:

Answer by ms bell
Yes, cockatiels can become depressed and stressed out after a change of environment. He needs some time to adjust to you and his new home. Some cockatiels can adjust quickly, like in a week, while others can take several weeks to adjust to a new home. I’d keep a close on him because sleeping too much is usually a sign of illness. He may be tired from the move, but he should perk up soon if he is healthy. If he’s not healthy, he’ll continue to sleep. It’s possible that he could’ve caught some type of illness from the other cockatiels at the market. Or he could have any number of infections that he didn’t catch from the other birds. If he continues too sleep a great deal of time, I would take him to the vet.

Besides spending time with him, talk to him and give him his favorite treats. Most cockatiels love millet.

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How do I train my cockatiel to become friendlier?

Question by The Questioner: How do I train my cockatiel to become friendlier?

Best answer:

Answer by milo
How old is this bird, young get one of its wing clipped, then lots of handling and talking to it wont be long you should see some results
but remember time and lots of patience Good Luck!

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Can a 5 year old cockatiel still become tame?

Question by T & S: Can a 5 year old cockatiel still become tame?
I am about to adopt a 5 year old female cockatiel. Her currant owner lets her out of her cage daily. And she will on occasion step up when out. Is it possible with time she can become a tame bird?

Best answer:

Answer by ana luiza
first let it get use to you then let it out of the cage! get one of those ropes that attach to the cage ( put it on the outside_ so she can walk on it ! if she sees you she wil get even more use to you know taht she is out of the cage!

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