cockatiel needs

Question
We have a new cockatiel, Wally, who is approx 9 weeks old. He/she is doing well but has started kind of hissing and trying to bite when I put out my finger for him to come up. We have been very gentle and just pop him back in the cage and cover it when this happens. Is this ok? Also does he need toys, shell grit etc. He is really chewing on my earrings and jewellry when he's on my shoulder. Ok? and....how do we introduce bathing to him without freaking him? Thanks...........

Answer
Hi,

First off, congrats on your new baby cockatiel! :)  This is a critical time in Wally's life for proper socialization and to lay down guidlines for him so that he can be a great companion for the next 20 to 25 years.

Did Wally hiss at you at the breeder's too? How long have you had him?  It is typical for cockatiels (particularly males) to do what we call "the cockatiel bluff"... they will complain and pretend like they are going to bite, but 90% of the time, they won't.

If he is actually biting you, here is some information on biting parrots:

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww12eii.htm

As far as correcting him... don't put him back in his cage. His cage shouldn't be a place of punishment... it should be an enjoyable place. It is ok to put him down if he needs some time to himself, but make sure you put him down where you picked him up from (his playpen, cage top, inside the cage, etc...) This way he won't associate any one place as a place of punishment. Also, covering his cage should be strictly reserved for night time, when he needs to go to bed.

All parrots need a wide variety of toys... here is an article all about toys:

http://www.wctropicalbird.com/bird%20education/question_7.htm


And here are some other good, quality articles about parrot care:

http://www.forthebirdsdvm.com/birdcare.htm  (this article goes over things NOT to give you bird... like grit, corncob bedding, etc... and it covers many other areas of bird care too).

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww5eii.htm

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww6e.htm

As far as the jewlery, I wouldn't let him chew on it. If you are going to allow Wally on your shoulder, just take your earrings/necklaces off first. And as far as bathing goes... here is another article to give you lots of tips on the different ways to bath a bird (and how to introduce Wally to it):

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww63eii.htm

I hope this helps.

-Maggie