hissing frenzy

[mill4987]

I just bought my bird a week ago from the pet store, I think he is rather young. He adapted to his cage well and will explore it often, however every time my hand gets close to him (even outside the cage) he hisses at me. I have been trying slowly to get him acclamaited to my hands but he still is hissing at me. I have been letting him be with out my physical interaction for a couple days in hope that he will get better, but he still hisses my hands. I don't know if this is because he is young, or if he is from a pet store? Help! I would love for my bird to like me!

[marieandchirpy]

Apr 4, 2011 16:30:12 GMT -5 mill4987 said:

I just bought my bird a week ago from the pet store, I think he is rather young. He adapted to his cage well and will explore it often, however every time my hand gets close to him (even outside the cage) he hisses at me. I have been trying slowly to get him acclamaited to my hands but he still is hissing at me. I have been letting him be with out my physical interaction for a couple days in hope that he will get better, but he still hisses my hands. I don't know if this is because he is young, or if he is from a pet store? Help! I would love for my bird to like me!

He is still getting used to the new environment and you. You need to give him more time to adjust and that will take more then a week.
You will also have to tame him and that take some time and patience. Start by giving him treats. First put treats in his bowl until he is no longer hissing at you. After he stops hissing at you then try to give him treats from your fingers and then continue from there. Eventually he will climb up to your hand. Also try spending an hour each day near his cage talking to him and exc.

[mrshilobird]

Dear Mill,
The above post is the best way to teach your cockatiel to be tame. I had that same problem with a newer cockatiel just recently. She would cry every time that I took her out of her cage. My other loving tiel, well he is just wonderful. He loves to interact with everyone. The best method is to be patience. Try offering your tiel some treats. (avian cakes) are great!! Break off one, (I know this sounds crazy), but pretend that you are eating it, then offer it to your tiel. Once they see that you are enjoying it, chances they will too! Another thing, talk to your bird!!I talk constantly to my birds, my male cockatiel talks back to me. There is nothing more precious than bonding with your bird!! Be patience, you'll find that special bond just around the corner...

[cockatiel cages]

Both replies above are great ways to start a relationship with your new cockatiel. If you haven't figured it out yet, 99% of cockatiels will go ape crazy for millet spray and is a very useful tool in gaining trust and having your bird come close to you. Use it as a reward and dont abuse the power of the millet lol.

If you live in long island or NY you should read below about a shop. Everything is my opinion and I hope I get some replies of others who know the store.

I live in NY and I am very sad to say that I only know of 3 places (out of those 3 I only go to 1 of them if buying birds or for anything that requires special attention.

Around me I go into petland, petsmart, petco and see birds in 5 gallon tanks and months later the same bird still sitting there with the price slashed 5 times as he was losing value each week he got I suppose but I cannot buy a bird in those conditions as bad as I do want it to take it because I feel bad.

If you happen to live in new york or long island I highly suggest if you never been there... it's called parrots of the world and been going there for over 15 years and is where any bird I bought came from. The owner marc marone who has a few pet shows on tv and is martha stewerts personal pet trainer. The tv shows and being the personal trainer has nothing to do with going there and I do not work for them or anything like that. He is usually in the shop helping everyone, check ups, training... birds love him i swear to god. I had a adopted parrot and he stayed nasty and I couldnt be the best person for him I assumed since we gave it a year and from his abuse he never got over. I bring him into the store and marc just opens the box we brought him in without knowing what was inside, and PUFF he has the parrot sitting on his hand letting him scratch his head. I still have no idea why he didn't like us but he took him and a month later I see my former parrot (had very unique marks on him) on tv talking and dancing you name it. I'm glad he is happy now and thats all I care about and wanted.

Just a honest opinion from a bird guy. He does also have a overnight ship service made just for birds which allows him to bring in birds overnight and also you can actually and safely have a bird sent to you but you would have to inquire more about that to the company lol.

I am new to the forums and its great to be a part of them. Thanks for reading.

[marieandchirpy]

I've heard of Marc Marrone, his petshop, and watched one episode of his show.

I also live in upstate New York ( Dutchess County ). There are a few petshops in my county, but because of distance and location I only go to two ( Petco and Pet Pro). The petco where I live is excellent. Often when I come in there is someone cleaning the animal habitates or cleaning something else, and the birds appear healthy. The more expensive birds are harder to sell, but the parakeets and the Cockatiels don't stay there too long. At the most they are there for several weeks. At Pet Pro while the birds are taken care of I have seen some of them linger in there for months and prices slashed in order to get rid of them.

Marc Marrone's place is too far away for me and it's been more then 15 yrs since I been down to Long Island.

NCS also has a yahoo group for Tiel owners:

pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/talktiels/