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Post by gina1008 on Sept 13, 2009 6:51:53 GMT -5
Hello, We purchased our baby hand raised "male" tiel this past January. From the day Mickie came home he has been a loving & gentile bird towards my boyfriend, myself and really any visitors that came into our house. He sings all kinds of songs, talks up a storm, plays with everything, eats a variety of foods, goes to just about anyone but over the last month he is charging, snapping and screeching at us. He has not gone as far as to bite either of us yet, but my heart is broken thinking he is unhappy or scared of something. I have not changed anything in his surroundings. He did go through molt a few weeks ago. Can this have anything to do with his behavior? Change of season? Hormones? I did read that tiels are not naturally nasty so I believe he is upset about something. Can his wings have something to do with his aggression? I had him clipped as soon as his flight feathers came in from his 1st trim as a baby, but now he is flying pretty good again. Do you think clipping with help?
I could go on forever, I just have sooooo many questions. I want to do the right thing for him. I want him to be his old happy self again. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you, Gina, Jimmy & Mickie
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Post by cherylrowland on Sept 13, 2009 8:09:32 GMT -5
Gina, Jimmy and Mickie
I will have Pat Tucker, our behaviorist, get in touch with you.
Does Mickie do these actions when he is in his cage, out of his cage, or all the time? Sometimes cockatiels will get very cage territorial.
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Post by Talk About Tiels Admin on Sept 13, 2009 22:37:45 GMT -5
Sounds like a pretty simple issue and one I come across alot. First, can it be his lack of a wing clip? Absolutely! You've made your cockatiel a little higher on the flock ladder. Clipping is a good sound decision not only because it does lessen aggression but I've seen too many escape artists in my life and have heard "I was being extra careful" ... If a cockatiel can escape to the outdoors, they will and they don't have a natural "home" locator as some migratory birds. Cockatiels are nomadic by nature. Remember, you are the alpha bird, and you have the say so in your house. If he's nipping and then you are giving him what he wants (to be left alone), he's learning an important lesson from that.
Yes, his maturity and moult may also play a large part in his agression but I would definately nip this in the bud right now. I'm not saying to be aggressive back, but to be persistant and not let him get his way, goes a long way!
Leslie
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Post by gina1008 on Sept 14, 2009 7:57:42 GMT -5
I want to thank both of you for your responses. I will def get his wings clipped ASAP. I will let you know if that did the trick. Thank you, Gina
P.S. Looking forward to hearing what Pat has to say.
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Post by White Wolf on Sept 26, 2009 9:54:10 GMT -5
I agree as well, what a difference a wing clip makes. I recently got a call from a good friend who had purchased a tiel from me a few months back, stating exactly what you have...he is starting to feel his cheerios, lol. I went over, clipped his flights and he was back to his old sweet self in no time at all. Blessings Ruth
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