[StacyB]

Possibly important details-
Hatch Date: 5/3/21
Gotcha Date: 12/24/21
Gender: Unknown
Source: Pet Store Chain
Other: Apparent Clipped Wings, First Time Bird Mom

Can someone sort of rate our progress somehow? Or at least tell me how we are doing bonding wise?

Hedwig now hops onto my hand to be removed from the cage without my brandishing treats, but is less willing to do so when outside the cage. Sometimes, outside the cage, he bites at my hand rather than hopping up. Mostly, I take that as an polite request to back off. Once, he even “flew” (clipped version) from the top of the cage onto me. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of flight control with the clipped wings, so it may have been an accident. Twice now, he’s positioned himself near me and taken a nap. Once on the corner of a pillow I had propped up to watch tv and right now on the headboard next to my head while I sit in bed watching tv and reading about tiels.

Thanks in advance for any comments and perspectives. I’m super into this bird and it seems mostly unconcerned about interacting with me. I’m just a conduit to exit the cage. FYI- I’ve only had mammal pets and things like fish that don’t have the interaction component. So, I may need to adjust my expectations for being friends with a bird.

 

[Jo Hess]

Possibly important details-
Hatch Date: 5/3/21
Gotcha Date: 12/24/21
Gender: Unknown
Source: Pet Store Chain
Other: Apparent Clipped Wings, First Time Bird Mom

Can someone sort of rate our progress somehow? Or at least tell me how we are doing bonding wise?

Hedwig now hops onto my hand to be removed from the cage without my brandishing treats, but is less willing to do so when outside the cage. Sometimes, outside the cage, he bites at my hand rather than hopping up. Mostly, I take that as an polite request to back off. Once, he even “flew” (clipped version) from the top of the cage onto me. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of flight control with the clipped wings, so it may have been an accident. Twice now, he’s positioned himself near me and taken a nap. Once on the corner of a pillow I had propped up to watch tv and right now on the headboard next to my head while I sit in bed watching tv and reading about tiels.

Thanks in advance for any comments and perspectives. I’m super into this bird and it seems mostly unconcerned about interacting with me. I’m just a conduit to exit the cage. FYI- I’ve only had mammal pets and things like fish that don’t have the interaction component. So, I may need to adjust my expectations for being friends with a bird.
View attachment 94528

OUCH! That is a good, detailed and multi-faceted question but rightfully so. I'll try to start from the beginning.
I've had 5 very tame tiels before my current Diesel over 22 years.
The previous 5 loved nothing more than being on me and scritched until my fingers ached for all the time they could get with me.
Well your new baby sounds much like my new boy Diesel. The most untamed tiel that I've had but comes to me for food that I eat, kisses and a long chat. Just finding his safe places where she/he feels "safe". A testing ground and time for both of you. A very well tamed baby from hatching bonds to humans first. Some breeders leave too long with parronts before pulling from nest so make it harder for new owner. You have to accept their differences. Like no 2 humans are alike.
When I brought Diesel home I had to leave him in safe place (cage), brought close to where I sat, talking quietly for a few weeks before he felt safe enough to venture out.
On saying that, my current boy has the widest vocabulary of any tiels I've had in the past. My 11 year old Mollie won't take his advances as she lost her lifetime mate, so in turn, he mates on the back of my hand (getting his natural rocks of ). First ever for this!!!
From the photos you've shown, looks like a girl but that could be because of light situation. These pics are from 1st year baby before major molt to adult. Boys very bright, vivid orange around ear. Girls less so.
If they beak bite at your hand when out, just like the most tame tiels, means they don't want your hand until ready. You are right to think that this is their way to say "not now, don't want". They are the boss on that 😄 Just like they won't talk unless they are ready to do so. Doesn't come on command unless they want to.
As wings are still clipped they can't take high flight but can glide, so therefore feel unsafe on free flight. Forgive them for not feeling too comfortable in this situation. Every bird is different, just like all pets. Talk quietly to her/him and they will understand that you're no threat. As this tiel feels happy to nap near you, means that they trust you. Just figuring out their boundary, much like we do with people. May or may not talk if female. I've had 2 very chatty females.

 

[Jo Hess]

OUCH! That is a good, detailed and multi-faceted question but rightfully so. I'll try to start from the beginning.
I've had 5 very tame tiels before my current Diesel over 22 years.
The previous 5 loved nothing more than being on me and scritched until my fingers ached for all the time they could get with me.
Well your new baby sounds much like my new boy Diesel. The most untamed tiel that I've had but comes to me for food that I eat, kisses and a long chat. Just finding his safe places where she/he feels "safe". A testing ground and time for both of you. A very well tamed baby from hatching bonds to humans first. Some breeders leave too long with parronts before pulling from nest so make it harder for new owner. You have to accept their differences. Like no 2 humans are alike.
When I brought Diesel home I had to leave him in safe place (cage), brought close to where I sat, talking quietly for a few weeks before he felt safe enough to venture out.
On saying that, my current boy has the widest vocabulary of any tiels I've had in the past. My 11 year old Mollie won't take his advances as she lost her lifetime mate, so in turn, he mates on the back of my hand (getting his natural rocks of ). First ever for this!!!
From the photos you've shown, looks like a girl but that could be because of light situation. These pics are from 1st year baby before major molt to adult. Boys very bright, vivid orange around ear. Girls less so.
If they beak bite at your hand when out, just like the most tame tiels, means they don't want your hand until ready. You are right to think that this is their way to say "not now, don't want". They are the boss on that 😄 Just like they won't talk unless they are ready to do so. Doesn't come on command unless they want to.
As wings are still clipped they can't take high flight but can glide, so therefore feel unsafe on free flight. Forgive them for not feeling too comfortable in this situation. Every bird is different, just like all pets. Talk quietly to her/him and they will understand that you're no threat. As this tiel feels happy to nap near you, means that they trust you. Just figuring out their boundary, much like we do with people. May or may not talk if female. I've had 2 very chatty females.

Oh, good advice to you, don't keep you birds in you bedroom overnight ever. They follow circadian rhythm so need to be covered in their cage where they feel safest when getting dark. I uncover my bird's cages before I go to bed and open curtains so that they wake up with natural light as is their natural way.

 

[StacyB]

OUCH! That is a good, detailed and multi-faceted question but rightfully so. I'll try to start from the beginning.
I've had 5 very tame tiels before my current Diesel over 22 years.
The previous 5 loved nothing more than being on me and scritched until my fingers ached for all the time they could get with me.
Well your new baby sounds much like my new boy Diesel. The most untamed tiel that I've had but comes to me for food that I eat, kisses and a long chat. Just finding his safe places where she/he feels "safe". A testing ground and time for both of you. A very well tamed baby from hatching bonds to humans first. Some breeders leave too long with parronts before pulling from nest so make it harder for new owner. You have to accept their differences. Like no 2 humans are alike.
When I brought Diesel home I had to leave him in safe place (cage), brought close to where I sat, talking quietly for a few weeks before he felt safe enough to venture out.
On saying that, my current boy has the widest vocabulary of any tiels I've had in the past. My 11 year old Mollie won't take his advances as she lost her lifetime mate, so in turn, he mates on the back of my hand (getting his natural rocks of ). First ever for this!!!
From the photos you've shown, looks like a girl but that could be because of light situation. These pics are from 1st year baby before major molt to adult. Boys very bright, vivid orange around ear. Girls less so.
If they beak bite at your hand when out, just like the most tame tiels, means they don't want your hand until ready. You are right to think that this is their way to say "not now, don't want". They are the boss on that 😄 Just like they won't talk unless they are ready to do so. Doesn't come on command unless they want to.
As wings are still clipped they can't take high flight but can glide, so therefore feel unsafe on free flight. Forgive them for not feeling too comfortable in this situation. Every bird is different, just like all pets. Talk quietly to her/him and they will understand that you're no threat. As this tiel feels happy to nap near you, means that they trust you. Just figuring out their boundary, much like we do with people. May or may not talk if female. I've had 2 very chatty females.

Thank you for a very thorough and helpful answer. The time you took to help me is very appreciated.