Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    Hand Fed?  Maybe not.  It is rare that a nine week old handfed
    cockatiel will display this type of behavior.  Giving this 
    statement the benefit of the doubt, it could be that your
    new friend may just need some time to adjust to it's new
    environment.  Another item to consider is what you are wearing
    at the time that this happens.  Some birds are fearful of 
    certain colors.  They can also fear hats and gloves.
    
    Try moving very slowly and keep your moves consistent.  Fast moves
    will scare many birds.  Does this only happen when he is in the cage?
    What happens when he is out of the cage?  What source did you 
    purchase him from? pet store or breeder.
    
    Maybe you can give us some additional information to work with.
    
    Jim Buccieri

    I got him from a breeder and when I first picked him up he just squaked
    alittle but didn't hiss! He hasn't been out of the cage since I brought
    him home....he backs away from me and gets real nervous when I get near
    him. Should I try to give him some seed from my hand while he's inside
    the cage? I am REAL discouraged and not sure what my next steps should
    be. I haven't worn any strange colors (mostly blue) and haven't worn
    any hats or gloves either.
    
    What should my next step be?????

    
    	I wouldn't worry that much, at least not yet.  Since you just
    brought him home, he's probably nervous about his new surroundings.
    Give him time.
    	Spend as much time with him as possible. Place his cage in the
    room that you, (and or your family), spend most of your time in. Birds
    like to be where the action is. After all, they want to be part of the
    family too... I wouldn't try feeding him from your hand just yet. Talk
    to him alot and keep him near you as much as possible. That should help
    calm him down and get him adjusted to his new home. 
    	If you eat in front of him, then try putting a small piece of what
    you eat, (especially fruit, cookies etc) in his food dish. Don't go 
    overboard as birds are sensitive to salt, sugar and such. Sharing food
    will let him know that you aren't a threat. 
    	If you can, leave the cage door open or remove the top so he can
    come out, (be careful if you haven't clipped his wings), and don't 
    forget about open windows and doors in your house. That can be very
    bad.
    	Just give him time to adjust and give him lots of attention and
    he'll come around. You should see this in his behavior, such as his
    not backing off as much, etc. When it appears that he is settling down, 
    then you can start trying to get him on your hand or try hand feeding
    him.
    	I usually have music going when I'm home and I whistle alot. My
    Grey, Jonsey, likes to whistle along with me and bob his head up and
    down to the music. Unfortunately, neither one of us can hold a tune
    worth a damm, but we do have fun. 
    	Good Luck!
    
    							Mark	

    Ours did that when we first brought him home too. He was hand fed, but
    I think that was the extent of the handling. This made him used to
    humans, buut it takes a little time for them to get familiar with 
    everything new. Ours still hisses when he's in his cage all locked up 
    for the night, I think he's defending his  territory. One thing I heard 
    that is supposed to work very well is to let children work with them, 
    if you have kids. Kids are more persistant and don't get discouraged as 
    quickly as adults.
    
    Ours was running the house after about 4-6 weeks. Now, after a year and
    a half, he loves my wife and kids, and tolerates me, unless I'm near a
    mirror, then he's all over me wanting me to show him his friend in the
    glass. About the only thing he really attacks when he's out of his cage
    anymore is the vacuum cleaner, and passing feet, almost like the last
    great act of defiance.
    
    
    TPV

    I think there's a difference between hand fed and tamed.  I saw one
    place that hand feeds their birds.  THey take one out, fedd it, put it
    back.  Then they continue to the next one.  That's it!!  That may be
    hand fed, but to me that doesn't mean tamed!!!
    
    Chris D.