He's a biter, but he's a baby!

[guruhelp]

I decided to add to managery by adding a new member to the household. Meet Icarus.."Icky" is a baby cinnamon cockatile and has be hand fed since hatching,
and will tolerate sitting on my shoulder, but is still kinda shy of being held and doesn't know "step up" yet, so it's a bit of a battle. I'll let him calm down a bit before doing much more with him, today. He doesn't make any other noise than a crying sound, when I try to pick him up, or stroke him, too long.
I'm sure he'll come around soon.
I'll have to look for a deal on a cage, as they should probably have separate quarters, don'tcha think?
Does anyone out there have and inexpencive cage for sale? I'm on a fixed income (SSDI), so I can't afford too much.
Pics of Daedalus and Icarus attached.

[Lisa B]

hello and congrats on your addition.
yes, definitly seperate quaters for each.

[Jannabellsmom]

Congrats on the tiel! Millet is a god way to win them over.

[Freedomoflight]

The bird names are so funny, I know someone that has a pair of caiques with the exact names. Congrats on the new addition.

[guruhelp]

I MIGHT have a cure for the biteing!!! Somewhere I came accross a plastic finger tip from a large doll, or somthing, and it fits up to my second knuckle. I put it on, and he tasted it..looked a little confused and then got up on my hand without too much of a fuss!
He's AFRAID of FINGERS! Not unlike many birds are..bu t he he bit me EVERYTIME I tried to get him to come on my shoulder and calmed down IMMEDIATLY as soon as he was on my shoulder.
I tried it again..without the fake fingertip..and HE BIT ME, again.
So, I might be able to eliminate the fau-finger as soon as trust builds and the habit of biting fades away.
I don't react much, but I DO say NO BITING, if he doesn't stop immediatly, now. I don't flinch, even if it bleeds, but I did yell at him after seeing the blood, the first time.\ I'm haveing a BIG cage delivered in about 15 minutes...thanks to people who look at craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums! I posted an add and got 3 responces, one call back, and a phone number, too, in the space of about 12 hours!

Things WILL get better..the 'keet, Daedalus is acting pretty much the same, so he's obviously NOT too freaked out by the new addition. The night went well, no fuss and in the morning, after a little trouble, Ickarus, the 'teil, did come out and spend time on my shoulder and let me put him back to the top of the cage (after a bite), where he has sat for the last few hours.
I'll leave him in the new cage now and let him decide when he would like to come out, next.

[guruhelp]

Originally Posted by Freedomoflight

The bird names are so funny, I know someone that has a pair of caiques with the exact names. Congrats on the new addition.

the names are from Greek mythology. Ickarus was the guy who put on wings made of wax and flew too close to the sun, and they melted and he fell.
Daedalus was the guy who MADE the wings..might've been his father..but I liked the names and forget about the lineage!

[guruhelp]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

hello and congrats on your addition.
yes, definitly seperate quaters for each.

I put an add on craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums last night, and found someone who would bring me one for a great deal!

[guruhelp]

Originally Posted by Jannabellsmom

Congrats on the tiel! Millet is a god way to win them over.

Yes, I have some millet spray, and other birds have usually started bonding with me, after eating some that I hold out for them, but these two haven't, yet. The 'keet has been here for about 2 months now, and was a little shy about getting on my finger, still, but now he's a little less resistant! The BIG bird must be scarey and I'm happy he things I will be his defender.
Icky is scared as hell..heh..all he can do is cry when I come near him. It's the ONLY noise he's made, too!
He needs time, and soon, will have his OWN cage to spend in it, where he can feel safe, I'm sure. Tonight he will have his own place to sleep..mabey for the first time in his life!
That will be different, I'm sure!

[Laura65177]

My Alexandrine is names Icarus too >.<

It's young and exploring, if you react to the bites he will continue with it because he finds you screaming and jumping around in pain amusing.
So the trick is don't react and push into the beak so he has to let go in order not to fall.

Be brave and confident when handling him or he will play with your fears.
Goodluck.

[Jannabellsmom]

Hmmm if he's crying he might be begging for attention. I know that's what my little boy tiel did, after he took a week or two to warm up to his new surroundings. Now that he's older he dosen't cry anymore but he sure is a mommas little boy.