I found a cockatiel outside

[hugochavez]

I'm a landscaper for a hotel. I was working outside and heard a large commotion overhead and saw a cockatiel flying around with house sparrows following it. I stopped and watched the cockatiel land in a tree. I went over to the tree and started whistling and putting my arm out. This went on for about a half hour and the house sparrows came back and were attacking the cockatiel. The cockatiel then landed on my arm and i brought it home. I have been searching for an owner with no luck. I bought a big cage for it a few days ago and a cuttlebone. My main question is: the cockatiel perches on my finger easily and will ride around on my hand without panicking. He will do the step up game and almost always will let me take him out of the cage with a few exceptions. The only thing is that he will not let anyone pet his head. My girlfriend had a budgie and is used to petting a bird on his head. I'm wondering what i can do for him to allow me to pet him on his head. He is not fully grown yet, and is a male im almost positive. I've had for a little over a week. He has warmed up some, but still sometimes is very angry when a finger is near him. He has let me pet him a few times in the past couple of days, i am just wondering what the best plan for taming him would be so that he does not bite anymore. He is a beautiful lutino and already sings the andy griffith song and the wolf whistle.

Sorry if this was long

Thank you

[Joel]

It is someone's beloved pet most likely and I'm sure they would love to have it back at home. Not sure where ya live but in my area the local newspaper does not charge to place a "found" ad. Don't mention the kind of bird or color nor mention the ability to sing that particular song & tune. The previous owner of course will know those things. They may even give ya a reward which you can use to go buy yourself another Tiel. I'm sure ya will do the right thing. If the owner does not come forth in a week or two then I would consider him yours & it sounds like he will then have a wonderful home. :)

Welcome to the Board btw.....

[Tiki]

Hi Hugo, Joel is right. The owner is probably frantic with worry. Check all the local papers and vets and animal shelters because people who lose a bird will usually advertise.

I'm glad you were there to rescue him from the sparrows though, poor little guy must have been terrified!

[poi_lover]

Where are you located? You can also do some seaches on the internet for missing cockatiels in your area. I just did a quick search and it looks like there are several lost cockatiels that know the Andy Griffith theme song!

[Arora1106]

I agree with everyone else, if i ever lost my bird, i don't know what i would do. but if the owner does not come forward, to answer your question, i had the same problem with mine, he was born in january of this year, and right after i got him he wouldn't let me get anywhere near his head with a finger. It just takes some time for them to warm up to you, and get used to you. You have to keep in mind, that the bird has had a very tramatic experience, not to mention he's probably exausted and there's no way to tell how far he flew before you found him. So not only is he in a new place but he doesn't really know you yet either. Just give him some time, Mine will let me rub his neck for hours now, he loves it, it just took a while.

[arthmumm]

Thank god for the friendly hand. Hope he finds his home. If not it sound like he found A new good home.

[Tiki]

Hugo, any update? Did you ever find the owner or did you end up keeping him?

[mellyj25]

HI: Can you describe this cockatiel. I lost a normal gray Halloween 2006 when something frightened him and he flew out an open door. His picture is attached; his name is Tiki and he was very selective about being scritched on top of his head. I was the only one he trusted to touch him.
I've included my personal email link for further communication about this lost little soul you so kindly rescued. mellyj25@comcast.net

We are sad in Danbury, CT missing our beloved Tiki.

[Monica]

I'm not sure where Hugo is located, but I've found either

Valparaiso, Indiana

-or-

Cherry Hill, NJ


And either one are quite a distance from you (although not impossible).

[april15]

In the original post, he says it's a lutino.