Every pet owner desires to hold their pet. Whether it is snuggling or petting, this helps to create a bond. But, as a cockatiel owner, you may be wondering, Do cockatiels like to be held? In the following articles, we will talk about this.
Do Cockatiels Like To Be Held?
Many cockatiels are not used to being held, so they may not enjoy it. However, there is a way to train your cockatiel to grow more comfortable with being held.
If you want your cockatiel to be more relaxed and accept your holding, then read on for some tips that may help you.
Can You Grab A Cockatiel?
Never think of completely grabbing your cockatiel. Unless if it’s moral to grab your cockatiel to remove it from a dangerous situation, you should instead focus primarily on your bird’s signs. Forcing the cockatiel into your hand can scare him. This can disrupt your relationship with the cockatiel and can cause injury.
A better solution is to learn its signs and determine if you can touch it or not.
Cockatiels and budgies are more open to the touch than other birds. However, it all depends on the personality of the bird. For example, if the bird had an unpleasant experience in its youth, it may react negatively to touch. On the other hand, others who have had a positive experience will surely enjoy it more.
Understand Your Cockatiels Cues
One of the first steps you need to take when training your cockatiel is accepting your touch and understanding their signals. Just like a person, if he doesn’t want to be touched, you should respect his wishes. The cockatiel will tell you if it wants you to touch it or not.
It is a sign that your cockatiel doesn’t want you to touch it even if it stares at you or becomes very stiff. Its firming posture is a defense mechanism. You should not be surprised if he tries to bite you if you persistently raise your hand towards him.
Another sign that cockatiel show, when they don’t want to be touched, is when they are actively flying and climbing away from your hand. So they try to get to a safe place. So the cockatiel experiences your hand as a kind of danger.
Тhese signs can also occur when petting your cockatiel head. In addition, petting your cockatiels head can be confusing if they are not used to it. Finally, doing so forcibly can result in bites.
A sign that your cockatiel wan to be touched is if they stay relaxed. Their posture is not stiffening up. They may still look at you, but that is more with interest than bitting you.
Once you get closer to your cockatiel, they will start giving other signs that show they enjoy your touch. It’s one thing to turn their head to the side to tell you that they want to be scratch there.
If it tilts its head down, then it allows you to scratch the back of the head.
The ultimate sign that cockatiel enjoys your touch is if they close their eyes. That way is a sign of trust, and the bird can enjoy with its eyes closed.
Start Training Your Cockatiel During A Quiet Period
It would help if you chose a quiet time to start training. It should be when your cockatiel is relaxed. If your bird is upset, then trying to touch or hold it can only make matters worse.
The time when your cockatiel is most relaxed is usually after eating or just before bed.
Once you are sure that your bird is relaxed, you should first start talking and holding your hand in their view. Use a soothing voice when talking to your cockatiel. Keep your hand calm and open. Moving your hand may seem like a treat to them.
As you talk to your cockatiel, slowly bring your hand closer to them. Would you please pay attention to the signs that indicate whether it’s uncomfortable or comfortable? If you notice that they are uncomfortable, you should slowly remove your hand and continue talking to them. Take a break after this.
Come back a few minutes later and try again.
Start with their beak
The best place to start to get used to your cockatiel is with the beak. Unfortunately, It also means you’re likely going to get nipped a few times. Because some cockatiels can make you bleed, you’ll want to have tissues and disinfectants readily available.
As before, you will need to speak calmly to your cockatiel as you reach for its beak. Your movements should always be slow. The hand should always be in sight of your bird. If you see that they are calm, you can easily stroke them with your finger up and down the beak.
Due to its close proximity to the eyes, you will obviously want to avoid stroking the bird’s beak. However, if their head is moving, then this can be not easy. Light strokes are the best solution for this.
Just try stroking the beak and then see if they are comfortable moving your finger on their face. Your goal here is to caress the sides of the head. This is the best place to pet a cockatiel.
If your cockatiel becomes uncomfortable after a while, then you should slowly remove your hand and hold it in front of them. You may need to repeat this process several times if your cockatiel is nervous when you touch them.
Focus On Thier Body Next
Once the cockatiel feels comfortable by touching the sides of the head, you can move on the body. They may be able to nip at you again, especially since they will not always be able to see your hand. You can help them become comfortable by moving your hand slowly to the side of his body. This may also take a few tries until your cockatiel feels comfortable to your touch.
Once you can make contact, the method of stroking your cockatiel is essential. It would help if you never stroked their feathers against the grain. This can irritate them and make them feel uncomfortable.
Instead, you should stroke them in the direction of their feathers. Then, follow the movement of the feathers.
Keep stroking the bird until it relaxes. Once they relax, you can start stroking them towards the back of the head and neck.
Where Do Cockatiel Like to be Touched?
Cockatiels are most enjoyed when you are petting their ears. The sides of their head give them special pleasure, and there they feel most comfortable. The ultimate goal is to get the cockatiel to enjoy the touch so that you can touch the sides of the head.
However, there are certain places where you should not get too much stroke. The back of their head and the back of their feathers can be susceptible to them. Too much stimulation can actually sexually arouse cockatiel. It can make them sexually frustrated because they have no way out.
That frustration can extend to another problem, such as behavior. Your cockatiel may begin to associate your hand with destructive behaviors that may make it difficult to handle.
The best place to pet your cockatiel is on the sides of the head.
Transition Your Cockatiel to Holding
Once your cockatiel feels comfortable petting it, then you can start trying to hold it. Cockatiels are very delicate parrots and especially their wings. So the first stage is to feel comfortable with perching on the finger.
Because they feel comfortable stroking them with your hand, they may not have a problem getting on your finger. However, you will need to raise your finger slightly above them to help them climb. This is because a cockatiel can climb much easier up than it can climb down.
Once you get your cockatiel on your finger, you can bring them closer to your body and gently hold them. Never squeeze them. Instead, allow them to enjoy the warmth of your body and petting them lightly with your fingers on the sides of their feathers.
Do Not Exceed The Limits
Some cockatiels don’t like to be held or petted. No matter how hard you try, they are ashamed of you or consider you as a threat. The best thing you can do as a cockatiel owner is to respect their boundaries.
There are many other ways you can interact with your cockatiel. They like to hang out and play games. You can buy swing puzzles and mirrors that can make them extremely happy.
If your cockatiel doesn’t want you to hold it, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t love you.
