Second Chance Birds

I have been training the facility's bird, Liberty, who when I first took him managed to bloody several people's fingers just getting him into the box.
I am so proud of the little guy today.
He has learned to tolerate his flight suit.
He found out he loves showers and loves the blow dryer even more.
He found out that if you stop lunging and biting at fingers, they will scratch the back of your neck....to which he will stand real still and lean over for long periods of time, as long as you keep scratching....
He found out that when you stop biting fingers, those fingers will take you out and let you see the world and explore.
He found out that when you stop biting fingers you can ride on someone's shoulder while they do housework and discover the huge mirror in the bedroom which contains a very handsome cockatiel that he never saw before.

I'm so proud of Liberty. He is going to make some nursing home residents very happy...

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

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Cockatoos are not obedient. No to a Cockatoo means try again later.

"Some say they don't believe that angels can be seen or heard.
What a shame, such blindness. What a pity, such deafness. When the Song of songs abounds and Heaven's flyers are all around only thinly disguised as birds"

Unseen they suffer ~ Unheard they cry ~ In agony they linger ~ In loneliness they die

He had actually been stepping up on one of my MRDD residents who visits my office every day. Watching the look on his face was incredible. And he doesn't even seem to mind the man 'yelling' STEP UP the way I told him to. Honestly he doesn't even flinch when the man talks so loud.

I took a picture of it with my cell phone, but I can't post it cuz it's got the resident's face in it and it would be a privacy violation.

I honestly didn't think Liberty would be trainable. He was so mean when I got him. God thank you for the patience.

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

Can cockatiels learn extensive tricks like other parrots?

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

_________________
Cockatoos are not obedient. No to a Cockatoo means try again later.

"Some say they don't believe that angels can be seen or heard.
What a shame, such blindness. What a pity, such deafness. When the Song of songs abounds and Heaven's flyers are all around only thinly disguised as birds"

Unseen they suffer ~ Unheard they cry ~ In agony they linger ~ In loneliness they die

EXCELLENT! Those are exactly the type of things I would like to teach him.

He is rather young, only bout 10 weeks, he is answering my whistle but no actual 'tunes' right now.

I think my residents are really going to enjoy.

Thanks for the links!

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

This guy is such a clown. He bends down for me to scratch the back of his neck. If I stop, he head butts my hand until I start again. Not only the back of his neck, but the sides, the top of his head, his crest, the sides of his head (the little orange spots) and the FALLS ASLEEP!
Various members of the family and friends are now able to do it too.

Oh, I almost bought him one of those cuddle hut things, but the person selling them said that in her experience, tiels don't sleep in them. Any teil owners out there? Do your tiels sleep in those cuddle hut thingys that hang from the cage?

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

Why do birds enjoy the head/neck scratching so much? Or is it just birds that are alone in a cage? I ask because I stopped at the Pet store to pick up a doggy birthday cake for Jake (he's three today) and they had a -I think it's what the sign said- Narrow bill cockatoo. He cat called me from across the room so of course I had to go see him. As soon as I put my hand by the cage he bent his head all the way down to his feet and let me scratch his neck. He contorted himself in different positions so I could scratch ALL of his head and neck. All the while "purring" like a darn cat! They had a price tag on him/her of 2,500 bucks. Whoa!
At any rate, it seemed to me that a bird alone in the cage doesn't have a buddy to help preen.
Or do all birds like that?

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

_________________
Cockatoos are not obedient. No to a Cockatoo means try again later.

"Some say they don't believe that angels can be seen or heard.
What a shame, such blindness. What a pity, such deafness. When the Song of songs abounds and Heaven's flyers are all around only thinly disguised as birds"

Unseen they suffer ~ Unheard they cry ~ In agony they linger ~ In loneliness they die

That's what I thought. And I read somewhere that both cockateils and cockatoos have a lot of that 'stuff' that when they shake, floats in the air.

I have actually been using the scratching as a reward for a behavior. He seems to get the connection more than if I use the food/treats.

Oh and I've read that when they are nervous they 'vibrate'. I've noticed in new situations, Liberty does that vibration thing. So when he looks like he's uncomfortable, I talk to him and tell him it's alright. The moment he stops vibrating and looks at me (with that adorable little cocked head) I reward him with a head rub. (I'm thinking that being in a nervous situation, he's in no mood to eat). Viola! the vibrating stops and he starts his 'muttering' (that's the only word I can use to describe it, it's like talking to himself). Again, reward with head scratch. By this time, he seems comfortable enough to take a bit of millet.
It's facinating watching and noting the behavior and reactions. I noticed that he still won't lie on his back, Rex did and I scratched his tummy and neck...no issues with him, but Liberty still seems to have a trust issue. We are working on it slowly.
Oh and I bought him a busy box toy that he can take out and put in blocks of wood. They are tiny. I'd like to Paint them a different color but I'm sure paint is a no no. Can I dye them with food coloring? I'd like to teach him to pick up one particualr color.

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While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

Yes you can dye them with food colouring.

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Sondra,owned by...
Powder- :U2: - Henry, Poncho- :TIEL: - Momma - :TIEL: - Higgins- :AG: - Max- :hmc:

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably .
And never regret anything that made you smile