Whether your cockatiel is a baby or an older bird who has never been tamed, he will learn to trust you if you take your time and go slowly. The key to forming a strong bond with a cockatiel is trust. If your bird trusts you, he will be comfortable in your presence and accept you as his caregiver. If there is no trust, you will be hard-pressed to get him to cooperate with you. Bonding with your 'tiel begins with his first day in your home and continues as you interact with your pet.
The Homecoming The first day your cockatiel enters your home is your first opportunity to bond with your new pet. The homecoming can be a stressful time for your bird, because he is entering a new environment where everything is unfamiliar. When you first bring your cockatiel home, give him some time to familiarize himself with his cage before initiating any interaction. When you approach your cockatiel's cage, do so slowly, and speak in a soft voice. The goal is to keep the bird as calm as possible while he adjusts to your presence. Increase your interaction with your cockatiel gradually as the bird becomes more comfortable with your proximity.
Handling Your bird will form a strong bond with you if you handle him properly. Cockatiels can be taught the "step up" command -- when you say "step up," the bird will climb onto your hand and is ready to be taken in or out of his cage. Do not just reach into your pet's cage and take hold of him. Your cockatiel sees his cage as his personal space and when you reach in to take him forcefully, you become a "home invader" in the bird's mind. Gentle handling done with the bird's permission is the best way to share affection.
Feeding Your cockatiel depends on you for food, water and shelter. If you feed your bird at the same time every day, your bird will learn to trust you to provide for his needs regularly. Hand-feeding your cockatiel will deepen his trust for you and will strengthen your mutual bond. However, it is important to teach baby cockatiels to eat from a food dish so they don't become dependent on hand-feeding. Hand-feed occasionally as a bonding experience; it should not be the bird's primary means of obtaining food.
Playtime Playing with your cockatiel is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to bond with your bird. Interactive play can include throw and catch games with small toys, retrieving games played outside the cage, or teaching your cockatiel tricks. If you play together, your bird will associate positivity with your presence, and will learn that when you enter the room, good things will follow.
Training
Teaching your cockatiel to step on or off your finger on command -- or return to his cage or sing a tune or dance on cue -- isn't just about learning the right actions. The time you spend teaching your bird to behave or do tricks helps him bond with you. Cockatiels are very intelligent; they often view training as a game. You aren't an opponent, however, but a partner in the exciting adventure. Training also teaches him that you are the dominant one in the partnership, allowing him to accept his role and spend time bonding instead of trying to establish a pecking order.
Petting and Cuddling
When two cockatiels form a bond, they spend a lot of time grooming and snuggling with each other. Most cockatiels love to be stroked on the top of their heads. You may hear this referred to as "scritches". Establish a routine of petting your bird every day, particularly if you have just one, who will need your attention in lieu of that of a partner. The physical contact will help create a bond since you are replicating a part of the behavior cockatiels use to bond with each other. If your bird is nervous with hands, use your nose! Keep in mind that birds lack fingers, so fingers can be a scary thing! Do as another bird would do, and use your "beak" to pet them!
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