Why is my bird so mean?Its out of the blue!!!

Question

i have a male cockatiel...i got him at the age of about 8 weeks old and he was the sweetest little thing...i went on vacation for 2 1\2 weeks and he stayed with my parents...he was sweet before i went, and now he hates everybody

my parents love this bird and they took him out evryday to play in the grass and whistle with him and eversince i got ome he's been mean!!!

he hisses, and jumps at you when you pass his cage and he bites you when you tryu to get him out!!! he's made me bleed 3 times i have to get a towel to get him out and to put him back in my cage!

what is a matter with him and how can i change it?!?!?!?!?

Answer 1

Pimp slap him.

Answer 2

well i think i read one time that they get angry if you do not play with them  enough..  

Answer 3

It sounds like your cockatiel could be angry with you for "abandoning" him, and he needs time to re-adjust to you as his primary caregiver. Also, he may be testing you, trying to make himself king bird.  Tiels naturally live in a hierarchy system, and he does not know his place in his "flock" (you and your family). You need to re-train him to obey you, and not to bite or hiss at you. When you open the door of his cage and he hisses or tries to bite, say firmly and loudly, "Step up!" (if he knows that command), while pushing your finger gently to his underside by his feet.  If he proceeds to bite you, do not pull back, it will show him you are afraid; state again, "step up!" and force him to step onto your finger. Then hold him close to your chest, just under your chin, and scratch/pet the top of his head just behind the crest with your fingers, forward towards his face (he may initially fight you on this, but will succumb). This posture, him below and you above, preening him, shows him that you are dominant, not him. Do this method every single time he bites or hisses--you will see the behavior diminish over time. Also, if his wings are not currently trimmed, get them trimmed, as male cockatiels can sometimes develop quite the attitude if allowed to fly where they want--make him dependent on you to get him places. Don't give him shoulder time if he is acting aggressive, or he may think he is "equal" to you. Lastly, learn to read his emotions by his body language. Read up on cockatiel behavior: crest placement (up or lying flat, i.e.), feather lay (fluffed up, pulled into body, etc.), body stance. The better you get at being able to guess your cockatiel's moods by his body language, the less chance you will be bitten by him.  He also feeds off of your emotions as well; companion birds can sense the tone of the atmosphere, and will react to it accordingly, so if you are tense and angry, he will be, too, and more prone to lash out. Choose to interact, work, and play with him at times when you are not rushed or feeling mad about him. Greet him cheerfully, go to his cage to offer him treats, and sometimes just hang out in a chair outside his cage to talk to him, without the threat to him of being grabbed out of his little home away from his belongings. To keep a tiel the sweet little bird it was as a baby, it needs to be worked with and played with daily. An older tiel that has developed nasty behaviors can be retrained, but it takes time, patience, and dedication. Read all you can about correcting parrot problem behaviors. Do all you can to help this little guy relate to his human family appropriately. And do not pass him off to somebody else because you think he will never change!  He can be sweet and loving again, all he needs is your willingness to help him out.  Wishing you and your fella the best!!  =)  

Answer 4

Birds are like bipolar children. They can become very unpredictable. Just be kind and work with your bird. He/she will bond with you again.

Answer 5

well he might not be used to you anymore and forgot you. Try to interact with him more often until he remembers you and yes, you should wear protection on your hands the first few times. Maybe give him treats so he can learn to trust you. hope i helped!

Answer 6

Did they put a mirror in with him? often when birds are paired up or get a mirror, which they think is their new mate, they will not want to interact with their owners anymore, becoming mean and attacking. Ask if they have altered his cage in any way like that, and if they have, try removing/changing it back to how it was.  

Answer 7

hey it is the bird's choice if he wants to change or not