How to Tame a Cockatiel: A Step-by-Step Guide

To successfully tame a cockatiel, it's best to have one person handle the training individually. During training sessions, ensure your eye level is parallel with the bird's.

Ideally, stick to one person for taming. This allows the cockatiel to bond quicker, which will assist in the training process.

Always position yourself so that your height is at or below the cockatiel's level. Maintaining eye contact is ideal; avoid towering over your bird.

Initial Interaction and Building Trust

Start by talking to your cockatiel from a distance, then gradually move closer. When it accepts you by the cage, place your hand near the cage, allowing it to get used to its presence. Make sure your hand isn't higher than the bird. If your cockatiel recoils, don't move your hand back immediately. Keep it there and speak softly until the cockatiel settles down. Then, try inching your hand closer.

Hand-Feeding and Contact

Begin hand-feeding millet spray to your cockatiel. Gradually introduce the millet into the cage, which should encourage the bird to approach and eat from your hand. If your cockatiel bites, don't pull your hand away quickly. Your bird will learn that biting won't cause you to react drastically. Speak gently and calmly as you continue to approach. Maintaining a safe distance is key to making it feel secure. Your cockatiel may even hop onto your hand to eat.

Introducing Your Fingers and Touch

Try extending two or three fingers into the cage, moving a little closer each time, until the bird is used to this level of interaction. Finally, rest your fingers on the perch or close to the bird’s feet until the bird accepts this. Then, you can start to touch its feet. Once the bird accepts this, try touching its belly, at this point the bird may step onto your finger using it as a perch. After that, each time you touch its belly, it will likely step up automatically. After this let the cockatiel stand on your finger and walk it around in the cage. The cockatiel may jump away and perch on something else, which is normal, you should just continue to repeat the process.

Moving Outside the Cage

Once your cockatiel is comfortable with your hand as a perch, you can attempt to move it outside the cage. Stepping onto your hand to exit the cage may be difficult for the bird, as they are generally cautious and don't like to take risks. A second perch might be useful here. You can coax the cockatiel onto the second perch to take it out of the cage. This method is generally more acceptable for them.