Ask Lafeber

New Bird Owner

I’m a new bird owner of a what I believe to be a male cocktail. I acquired the bird from a lady that didn’t know much about the bird herself she said they kept him covered all the time because he just screamed constely. I felt bad for him and brought him home the first few days he didn’t say a word I would go to the cage and talk to him daily the previous owner also said he would always bite her he has never shown this behaviour with me. I would like to be able to get him out and hold him and let him fly some. How should I do this or is it a good idea?

Hi Heather,

For now it is best to let him continue to settle in. He may be silent because he is still not comfortable with the change. Cockatiels can be surprisingly loud, so he probably did bother her. However, covering him all the time was not a good idea. Let him learn they he can be vocal around you without being punished. Keep talking to him and wait until you start getting responses from him before you think about trying to handle him. Letting him free fly is not a good idea to start with. He could panic and injure himself. It would be best if you could have a professional trim his wings to slow him down some, plus he will be easier to work with. His feathers will grow back the next time he molts.

I am going to provide a link with information about behavior, taming and training. This should help you when he is ready to be worked with.

Caring For Your Bird

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda