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11 Posts
Hi everyone, I'm new and I've never had a Cockatiel before or any kind of bird. I wanted one but it had to be a rescue. So, someone had an in-law that was not caring for her male gray properly.
He is 15 and was being left outside without cover all the time, it got no attention, six cats in the house that were allowed to sit on top of the cage (and they weren't friends
) He would not eat so she gave him pure millet. My friend told the owners it was too cold for the bird to be outside, they said, "He's out here all the time. We really don't want him. We are just waiting for him to die." and they laughed. The bird has been neglected since he was a baby and wasn't any "fun" anymore. Of course, he started to scream and they hated him more, so he was relegated outside with the cats.
When his owner gladly surrendered him to me last week, she dropped him off and he hissed at her, tried to bite her, and was terrified of people. His owner taught him to say "pretty bird" but he said it when he was ready to bite and would repeat "pretty, pretty, pretty" in this low, angry voice. It was really bizzare (like a horror movie)
I've sat with him everyday. I work at home and he's always near. He has a new cage, new toys, new home, and no cats (just two dogs who could care less). It took a very short amount of time before he stopped hissing completely and has never tried to bite again. He lets me rearrange his toys in his cage (I still wear gloves, though). He eats his new low millet food and yesterday, I let him out of the cage and after a bit, he flew right on my shoulder and stayed there. What an amazing feeling! I've never had a bird on my shoulder before!
I've named him Lord Cheeky (he is a very cheeky bird) and I'm just in love. I never knew how wonderful a bird could be as a companion. I just love to see him get happier everyday. All he need was just a little attention. I expected some long rescue process. Not at all. They are wonderful, trusting little creatures! Anyway, I've come for advice and to learn. Thank you!
He is 15 and was being left outside without cover all the time, it got no attention, six cats in the house that were allowed to sit on top of the cage (and they weren't friends
) He would not eat so she gave him pure millet. My friend told the owners it was too cold for the bird to be outside, they said, "He's out here all the time. We really don't want him. We are just waiting for him to die." and they laughed. The bird has been neglected since he was a baby and wasn't any "fun" anymore. Of course, he started to scream and they hated him more, so he was relegated outside with the cats. When his owner gladly surrendered him to me last week, she dropped him off and he hissed at her, tried to bite her, and was terrified of people. His owner taught him to say "pretty bird" but he said it when he was ready to bite and would repeat "pretty, pretty, pretty" in this low, angry voice. It was really bizzare (like a horror movie)
I've sat with him everyday. I work at home and he's always near. He has a new cage, new toys, new home, and no cats (just two dogs who could care less). It took a very short amount of time before he stopped hissing completely and has never tried to bite again. He lets me rearrange his toys in his cage (I still wear gloves, though). He eats his new low millet food and yesterday, I let him out of the cage and after a bit, he flew right on my shoulder and stayed there. What an amazing feeling! I've never had a bird on my shoulder before!
I've named him Lord Cheeky (he is a very cheeky bird) and I'm just in love. I never knew how wonderful a bird could be as a companion. I just love to see him get happier everyday. All he need was just a little attention. I expected some long rescue process. Not at all. They are wonderful, trusting little creatures! Anyway, I've come for advice and to learn. Thank you!
