[Hareem]

Hi guys
I have 2 cockatiels- fairly new- they wont train to do anything- its been months iv tried everything. Every video iv seen online says use a treat to entice ur bird to hop on the finger or to fly to you but my tiels are not excited by anything as a treat- even millet- they eat it if i give it but they are never bothered enough to get excited or to move an do anything to get the treat.
is it because they are still new? One is 3 months old- she steps up but she likes to sit quitely and do her thing and does not like head scratches-
The male i got is already trained to sing but he wont sit on my shoulder or fly to me or do anything at all- help with any advice please

 

[Robert Seale]

How long have you had both birds? I can understand your frustration but if you haven't had them long, it takes time for most birds to calm down and accept there new home and owner. It sounds like your doing the RIGHT things but we just can't force stubborn birds. The 3 month old may be easier to work with than the older one. How many people have had the older one? That turns out to be the problem for many owners as many of these poor birds have been passed around because people get upset when they can't get them to do what they want. All I can say is, be patient and continue working with both.

 

[Hareem]

Thank you for replying- the other one is still a baby I think 2-3 months old too- and iv had him 2 weeks now
Its just id giv them time but they find nothing like a treat and the 3 month old is how long the teil has been woth me- i got her when she was 5 months
So shez about 8 months old now and just sits puffed up doin her own thing- doesnt speak or come to me
Its very hard to just wait around and the tiels are growing up untrained- and the more time goes by the more stubborn they become

 

[NathalieT]

try giving them unsalted popcorn. My birds love them. One of my birds is really hard to catch because she’s still scared of us even though we’ve had her for years, but when she sees the popcorn, she flies directly to us.

 

[Robert Seale]

That's great that you found a treat that she loves enough to fly to you. Have you tried millet ? Most tiels go nut over that too! We've even had to use that in times past when cranky birds didn't want to go in there cages at bedtime.

 

[Hareem]

Oh i have tried popcorn
The new teil isnt a big foodie i guess
Iv given up

 

[NathalieT]

Try giving them unsalted cooked white rice ? My birds also like that a lot, but don’t give them too much because it’s not too good.

 

[Robert Seale]

Have you made ANY progress?

 

[Hareem]

Try giving them unsalted cooked white rice ? My birds also like that a lot, but don’t give them too much because it’s not too good.

I think they wont try anything
The new cockatiel steps up but then instantly floes bak to the cage
He will only eat from his bowl wen he wants to
Not very snacky.
he wont hand feed either-jus runs away.
i can try the rice
Thank you for the suggestion

 

[Hareem]

Have you made ANY progress?

haha
No i havenot tbh
He wont sit on my hand for a second before he wants to fly bak to the cage_ keeps pacing up and down and screeching and sometimes whistling
Like he is looking for someone or something