Greetings and salutations!

[redpigtails]

Hi everyone
my name is Ali, and i just yesterday got my first cockatiel, named Mulga Bill. He has been sitting for months in a pet shop all alone, and yesterday i decided i had to get him out of there. they say he is between 6-10 months old, so i think its going to be a slow road to having a tame relaxed bird because he hisses at me and shakes a bit so im pretty convinced he has had minimal human interaction and is pretty scared. (thats why im here - for quality info!!)
i am a talkbudgies member so thats how i found this site.
im really looking forward to reading lots of posts about cockatiels and finding out as much info as i can about my new mate.
if anyone can reccomend any great introduction posts to read, i would most appreciate it!
cheers, ali

[kimmikefids]

hi and welcome to the forum....i would jump straight into anything from the training and bonding section.....there are a few people who have managed to either tame their wilder tiels as well as people still going through that struggle currently...all i can say is take it very slow....as frustrating as it is....if u try to rush him any progress u have made will be gone.....also enjoy the little things...like if one day he doesn't hiss as much...thats just awesome!!! it helps if its going to be a long road to find the positives.....i look forward to seeing Mulga Bill and helping with advice any way i can.....i currently have a tiel in Australia, Angel, who will not let me touch him but still loves out time, talking to me and misses me when im not here.....so even if he never gets to be a cuddly tiel.....he can be alot of fun and still share the love....my fiance has one in Canada who used to bite but after months of work now calls him to come get her and sits with him happily....it just takes time and hard work...anyway i've written a huge post but i hope it helps!!

[redpigtails]

thanks heaps kimmikefids!
i sure do intend to take it slowly - from experience with my budgies, you cant rush anything - and also, im scared he will bite me and draw blood! ideally, i would have preffered a hand reared bird, but i just felt like i had to rescue this little guy! lots of people just expect birds to tame so quickly (including my boyfriend who was suprised at the hissing) but i imagine i would feel pretty scared if i were him too!
for now im just chatting to him and only putting my hands in the cage for changing water etc. in a few week ill start trying more interaction.
i must say though, he watches my budgies in the aviary and seems very excited about them. im hoping i can let them all be together one day - but again, this is something i intend to do very slowly!

[kimmikefids]

sounds like you have a good idea about what needs to be done and that you understand...well done!! i bet he is scared but u did do a wonderful thing and if anything you know that once he settles in he will be sooooo much happier with you....and im sure over time he will show that.....there are a few people on here that have tiels and budgies together....one has one of each that live in the same cage and another has 4 tiels and 3 budgies that hang out together out of the cage.....so its definately possible....as to whether it will work for u....well u know what birdies are like!!!

[sweetrsue]

Welcome to the forums! The best advice to get your bird comfortable is sit with him and read. Talk in a soft voice as if you were talking to a baby. Try to avoid towering above him. They find that threatening. Move slowly and approach from the side. I know it sounds weird but coming right at them can also freak them out.

[Pandabear16]

Welcome to our family (that's what I call it!). Like the others have said, it may take awhile for him to become tame...but the day that he connects with you, it is SO going to be worth the wait!

[aidan724]

Hi and welcome. I hope that you love it here as much as I do. The folks around here are great! There is a wealth of information on taming and just about anything you want to know here and if you can't find it just ask. I promise that you will be pointed in the right direction quickly. :D
It's been my experience that most of the tricks that work with the budgies work with tiels as well. For my gang it works even easier with the tiels but they are all individuals as you already know. Housing them all together might be a bit of a challenge but you will see what your babes go for easily enough.

[Solace.]

Welcome to the forums, and grats on your new 'tiel.

[PtsRPpl2]

Welcome to the TC! Sounds like you already know what you're doing so I'm sure you'll have the lil baby tamed in no time. :) That was sweet of you to rescue him. There was one in one of the pet stores here forever and when I made up my mind to get it, it finally sold! Anyway, congratulations on your baby...luv the name...Mulga Bill! Too cute!

[Sophia]

Hello and welcome to the forum! :) It sounds like you are doing the right things, you can also put your hand in the cage with millet on first quite far away, then the next day closer, and closer still, but as sure as he looks comfortable with you being as close as you go, then its ok. Even if he looks a bit alert at the beginning, after about 2 minutes he will start to relax. (when you do put your hands in the cage make sure all the windows/doors are closed because they can freak and get out from the cage, but then you will have to catch him in a towel/etc.) Only put your hand in the cage for 10mins about 2-3 times a day if you can. :p Also if he bites you ignore it and keep your hand there, even if it hurts like mad, because if you pull away he will think that biting will make you go away but if you ignore the biting then he will soon get bored of biting and will stop it. :D Good Luck!

[Bea]

Hi and welcome!! :D We've got quite a few members here who have tamed adult tiels, so i'm certain you'll find lots of helpful advice.

[Cockatielmom08]

Hi and Welcome to Talkcockatiels. I am going through the same thing. My new tiel is 10 weeks old. She is shy, but coming around. I started out by reading to her everyday. Then I put my hand in the cage holding a perch for her to step up on. Now she isn't as afraid of my hand as she once was, she will even eat millet from my hand now. I have toweled her to take her out of the cage and she loves being scratched on the head. It will just take time and lots of patience and you will get there. He is coming from a lonely petstore, so he has to adjust to a safe new home with you. With your knowledge of birds and williness to learn, things will work out for you and Mulga Bill. Can't wait to hear more and would love to see photo's of your tiel.

[kikee]

Welcome to you and mulga bill (love the name).
Everyone else has really said everything that will help you out. So all the best and good luck.