For those that have chosen a cockatiel as a pet you know that these are wonderful birds that can bring great joy to a family or person.
Cockatiels are known as some of the finest of all pet birds because they are intelligent and playful while still being affordable compared to their larger cousins. The cockatiel is a relative of the parrot in a smaller size and they have many of the same attributes.
They can be taught to speak, do tricks and can be very loving and attached to their owners. Over all they make a wonderful alternative to the larger parrots for those that are not ready for the many thousands of dollars of commitment that is required with the larger birds.
However, if you have picked out a male cockatiel then you know that they can be difficult to deal with. The male of the species can be overly aggressive when you are trying to train the bird and they are very strong willed.
This is common to the breed as they work to bring something more positive into their lives. The male cockatiel is much like a male human. They are protective of their personal space and very stubborn when it comes to learning new things.
That presents some major difficulties for those that are trying to tame one of these birds. All in all though you will be able to bring the cockatiel into the fold with some simple training techniques that will allow you better success with the bird.
When you are working with a male cockatiel it is important to be careful. For one thing they can deliver a very painful bite. They are not nearly as dangerous as large parrots but the hook bill they have can cause some pain and discomfort if they are biting to cause pain.
Further more, you must be careful of the bird. They are a very fragile and can easily be harmed. Their bones are hollow to allow for flight and they should be handled at all times with care.
You should never strike or attempt to strike the bird at all. They will then learn to fear you and that is going to end the possibility of training from the very beginning.
Trust and Comfort Most cockatiels will come to the home being cage bound. In other words they feel the safest while inside their cage. However, most of the cockatiels will want to explore so a cage door that is left open will have a male bird wanting to investigate.
With that you have the most powerful of the training tools. Male cockatiels are very protective of their cages and will become aggressive to defend what they may perceive as a threat to their home.
If you can get the cockatiel out of the cage and into a setting where they are reliant only on you then the training will go much smoother.
Slow and Patient While cockatiels are very intelligent it will take them some time to learn what you are asking of them. So you need to learn to be slow and patient with them.
Always be sure that your training sessions last only ten or so minutes. After that they should be returned to the cage for rest and play. Do not push too much too soon as they will fight back and you will lose.
