Bird acting a little different?

[ChrisUlrich]

I don't know what treats he likes. I try nuts but he just pulls away from me. I tried his sunflower seeds from his bowl. Same result.

But he used to love being in on my hands. But someone where along the line he made the connection between my hands and going back in his cage it seems. He flies to my shoulder no problem. He walk all over me, kiss me, cuddle with me, but doesn't like my hands. As soon as my hands get close, he just flies to his little chill spot! Please help!

[ChrisUlrich]

Can someone please respond?

Chaz (Cockatiel) will let me pet the back of his head/neck but refuses to go onto my finger now. He was never like this. He was very good at stepups and going to my hand. Now he is terrified of it almost. I have no idea what I did to deserve this type of reaction. I tried to put him away and he basically flew around the room for 3-4 minutes until he got tired and he landed on my hand. I cuped him with my other hand, held him close for 2-3 minutes telling him it's gonna be alright and then put him back in the cage. I don't know what else to do. I have no idea if that's even the right thing to do.

[girly]

Do your hands have a bad smell lately?

[ChrisUlrich]

Originally Posted by girly

Do your hands have a bad smell lately?

That a serious question?

[Greycloud]

Chris, your bird is relating stepping up with going back to his cage. So now you have to gain his trust back. Anytime you get him on your hand or near your hands make it fun for him. Tickle his head, stroke the belly or just hold and whistle to him. Spend at least 10 mins with him before moving toward the cage. In time he will realize being on you doesn't mean he is going to be put away.

[dmiller91]

if that is his problem, make sure you transport him to fun places as often as you put him in his cage. I move mine from one foraging/play area to another. More times than not I step them up for fun reasons. When it's cage time, they seem okay.

[sailorkelly]

Abbey did this when we first got her. She thought are hands meant going into the cage. You just need to work with him going up and down while he is out. I found away to get her to go in her cage at night. I turn the lights off besides the tv. She goes in by herself. That helped alot. I bribe her during the day. I put grapes an millet in her snack bowl in the cage. She loves them. It makes her happy that she is going inside. She doesn't think it is a punishment. Abbey still does the fly around the room if she really doesn't want to go in. I distract her with "good girl" and kisses.

[ChrisUlrich]

I am only assuming that that this is the problem. I assume this because he still comes to my shoulder very willingly. He'll let me scratch the back of his head. But it almost as if if I go low enough to indicate a step up, he just flies away. Usually he'll just fly to my shoulder 5-10 seconds right after this. He used to fly right to my hand if I had it raised all the way. Now, if he looks like he's going go fly to me, and I raised my hand, he immediately stops until my hand is lowered. Once I lower my hand, he gets back into position and flies to my shoulder.

[ChrisUlrich]

He won't even go to my hand at all. This is all so sudden. I've had him since Feb 17th and he's never done this before. I always play with him

[Greycloud]

OK, take a deep breath and calm down. Your bird can feel that you are upset. You are going to have to take two steps back to take one forward. Have you gotten a haircut recently, Chris, I don't know if you are man or women. If man did you recently grow or shave a beard or stache? You may have to move back to the step of stick training. See if he will willing step onto a perch and stay with you while you hold it. If he does then stick with this for a while. Making him step up and step down different places. Always tell him he is a good boy. The trick with treating is finding a treat they like. Try the tiny branch of some natural millet. I bet he will take it.