Taming 2 year old cockatiel?

Question

I got this tiel 2 days ago. It comes from home with 6 year old kid who was trying to catch it with the baseball cap. Long story short bird got squished/hurt, after the incident was never let out of the cage (over a month now).

So far, he does not tolerate proximity of my hand which I understand, hisses when I put my hand inside the cage to change food/water but doesn't bite so far. Eats OK, and starts eating as soon as I do! (I think this is a good sign), whistles and makes sounds when I am in the other room and I make sure I whistle back. He does not want to come out of the cage at all.

What should I do and within what time frame to gain this birds trust?

Answer 1

You've only had it two days.  Sit by the cage and just talk to it in a calm high pitched voice.  You don't say whether it's a male or female either.  The wings should be clipped so it will be more handlable and calmer as well.  Tiels tend to listen to a higher toned voice rather then a lower toned voice.  

When you have time, sit by the cage for 10-20 mins and just talk calmly to the bird and watch the head turn as if the bird is listening to you.  This is when you have the birds full attention.  The crest will also stand up.  Do not move your hands or make sudden gestures toward the bird, just sit and calmly talk to it.  Do not whistle, just talk.  Do this as much as possible for the first week or two.  Then start to open the door on the cage and talk.  After awile the bird will no longer take you as a threat.  Then slowly approach your hand in the cage and stop when the bird starts to move away from you.  Each time getting further in the cage.  You want to tell the bird "step up" when you approach it closer.  This allows the bird to know exactly what you want it to do.  Have a treat of cheerios as a treat as well.

Congrats on your new bird.