This page is dedicated to my Cockatiel Neelix. It will just be used as a place to keep track of his diet, health, and vocabulary, and anything else I want to throw in. If you have any ‘Tiel (or any parrot) stories to share, please leave a comment! Any updates will be left in the comment section until I figure out a better plan.
Hatchdate: 2005 (estimated). Unknown because bird is a rescue.
Species: N. hollandicus (Aka Cockatiel)
Genus: Nymphicus
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Subfamily: Calyptorhynchinae
Location: Cockatiels are natively found across the outback regions of inland Australia, and favour the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bush lands.
Colour: The “Normal Grey,” or “Wild-type” cockatiel’s plumage is primarily grey with prominent white flashes on the outer edges of each wing. The face of the male is yellow or white, while the face of the female is primarily grey or light grey, and both sexes feature a round orange area on both ear areas, often referred to as “cheek patches.” This orange colouration is generally vibrant in adult males, and often quite muted in females. Visual sexing is often possible with this variant of the bird.
Subspecies: None. The Cockatiel belongs in the Cockatoo Subfamily Calyptorhynchinae (commonly known as Dark Cockatoos). They are hence now classified as the smallest of the Cacatuidae (Cockatoo family).
Diet
Various fresh (organic when possible) fruits and veggies
Zupreem AvianMaintenance™ FruitBlend™ Flavor
Zupreem AvianMaintenance™ Natural Diet
Seeds
Millet
Neelix has been better about eating out of my hand as of late. Instead of me just sticking a seed or something up into his face, I keep it back about 5cm, this way he is given the choice to approach it and take it. So far it seems to be more successful.
Not sure if this might help some of you, but I noticed that whenever I approached him with a seed, he was dipping his head down and gaping his beak. I finally figured to assume this was a defensive posture, and so that is why I decided to let him approach me, instead of my getting right up into his face. It still makes him a bit defensive, but not nearly as much as before.
He is totally attached to Neville. I can’t take the two apart without him making constant contact calls!!
My goal with him is to continue to get him more used to being touched. Not sure if he will ever come around, but I will continue to try so long as this adorable little guy shares his life with me.
In the past couple of days Neelix has been eating out of my hand a little bit more. He still screams at my fingers a bit, but at least he will finally take a sunflower seed directly from my fingers.
He is also letting me get closer to him without screams and bites.
Yesterday, 25/01/09, Neelix did 3 things to surprise me.
First, when I came home, I went to my computer desk to work on some things. There is a small shelf on my desk that Nabiki gets to hang out on when I am doing work. Yesterday, as I was sitting there working, Neelix made a fly-by and I noticed he was actually trying to land on the little shelf!! There was a tissue on it though that scared him away. So I removed the tissue, and soon after he made another attempt and actually landed on it. He was very quickly rewarded with millet. Since then, he has hung out on that shelf several times without any fear.
Second, Neelix hung out with me while I sat on my couch. Usually if I pick him up and bring him toward my couch, he will fly away as soon as I start to sit down. I can stand there with him, but not sit down. Last night was the first time we sat together for an extended period of time. I was very excited.
Third, when I woke up this morning (26/01/09), Neelix took his toast from my fingers. Usually I have to put it into his food dish and I get hissed at. But today he was reaching for it and chomped into it while I was still holding it. I was in shock to say the least.
And fourth and finally, Neelix flew down to my floor alone and by himself for the first time. He has gone down there a couple other times with Nabiki, but never alone. He went down by his cage and was checking out the little bits of seeds that fell earlier.
I’ve had him for over a year now. He is so afraid of people and hands. These little changes mean the world to me!! It makes me feel great that my little guy is gaining some confidence and wanting to explore his world finally.
Any updates will be left in the comment section until I figure out a better plan.
Neelix has been better about eating out of my hand as of late. Instead of me just sticking a seed or something up into his face, I keep it back about 5cm, this way he is given the choice to approach it and take it. So far it seems to be more successful.
Not sure if this might help some of you, but I noticed that whenever I approached him with a seed, he was dipping his head down and gaping his beak. I finally figured to assume this was a defensive posture, and so that is why I decided to let him approach me, instead of my getting right up into his face. It still makes him a bit defensive, but not nearly as much as before.
He is totally attached to Neville. I can’t take the two apart without him making constant contact calls!!
My goal with him is to continue to get him more used to being touched. Not sure if he will ever come around, but I will continue to try so long as this adorable little guy shares his life with me.
I just love him, he is soooo cute!
In the past couple of days Neelix has been eating out of my hand a little bit more. He still screams at my fingers a bit, but at least he will finally take a sunflower seed directly from my fingers.
He is also letting me get closer to him without screams and bites.
Yesterday, 25/01/09, Neelix did 3 things to surprise me.
First, when I came home, I went to my computer desk to work on some things. There is a small shelf on my desk that Nabiki gets to hang out on when I am doing work. Yesterday, as I was sitting there working, Neelix made a fly-by and I noticed he was actually trying to land on the little shelf!! There was a tissue on it though that scared him away. So I removed the tissue, and soon after he made another attempt and actually landed on it. He was very quickly rewarded with millet. Since then, he has hung out on that shelf several times without any fear.
Second, Neelix hung out with me while I sat on my couch. Usually if I pick him up and bring him toward my couch, he will fly away as soon as I start to sit down. I can stand there with him, but not sit down. Last night was the first time we sat together for an extended period of time. I was very excited.
Third, when I woke up this morning (26/01/09), Neelix took his toast from my fingers. Usually I have to put it into his food dish and I get hissed at. But today he was reaching for it and chomped into it while I was still holding it. I was in shock to say the least.
And fourth and finally, Neelix flew down to my floor alone and by himself for the first time. He has gone down there a couple other times with Nabiki, but never alone. He went down by his cage and was checking out the little bits of seeds that fell earlier.
I’ve had him for over a year now. He is so afraid of people and hands. These little changes mean the world to me!! It makes me feel great that my little guy is gaining some confidence and wanting to explore his world finally.