Our Cockatiel has Gone off Us!?

Question

My husband, daughter and myself live happily with a male cockatiel, who will be 1 in August. Hhe seems to have gone off us recently. We used to be able to stroke him and scratch all round his head and crest and he loved it. Now he runs away as quickly as he can! Our daughter is still able to cuddle and pet him and he lets her with no problems. We think perhaps it’s because we went on holiday for 3 weeks at the beginning of the year and since we came back he wouldn’t let us touch him any more. We go away frequently in our caravan but our daughter doesn't come with us therefore she is with Peanut all the time. It was lovely when we could stroke him and I don’t know what to do to put things right again. I can’t just grab him and force him to be stroked, so don’t know how we can overcome this problem. He still flies to us, sits on our head, shoulders, helps himself to whatever we are eating.

Answer 1

Try talking or singing to him whenever you are in the room.

And dont try to force any thing on him, that will only make him more scared of you.

It sounds to me like your bird, Peanut, does not remember who you are, (birds are not extremly smart) but i think if you just let him get used to the sound of your voice and you being around, he will warm back up to you.

Hope your bird warms back up to you again!

good luck

:-)

Answer 2

He has chose your daughter as a mate ( for a lack of better words). He finds her to be his companion. I have left my birds for much longer and would say from expierence that he is not mad at you and rebeling. He just is more bonded to your daughter. Try slowly working with him on the petting. But do this when your daughter is no there. Let him know it is ok to bond to more then one person. But birds do tend to pick one person and stick with them. I would not force him to let you pet him or you may end up with a bird that bites or even developes a very agressive attitude.

Answer 3

well something may have spooked him while you were gone, birds "hold grudges" for a long time. Also his hormones may be acting up, if this is the case it shouldnt last too long, goodluck! check out http://www.parrotcentral.net/ for good bird info

Answer 4

could well be you going away, why not take him to the caravan with you then he wont feel so left out, as your daughter still remains he sees her as his comfort which is why she is still allowed to get close.  spend as much time as possible and he might start to allow you again.