When I brought mine home and I put my hand in the cage slowly they would freak out. Time is important. You have to be patient. Usually you would wait one week before putting your hand I'm the cage! Birds are always anxious or scared at first. After a week try putting your hand in barely, and move it a couple inches every 2-3 minutes... And you can even put some food on the palm of your hand or some bird treats.

Hi all so as in my previous post i brought my cockatiel home yesturday spent 7 hours with him just looking at him. making sure he settles and talking softly to him. Now he gets very excited when he see's me.

the woman i brought him from suggested that i just place my hand in the cage every day for a week not touching him just getting him used to me being there and to start today.

he saw me got excited and calmed down so i thought now would be a good time to open the cage door. I opened it and before i could open it enough to put my hand in. He got very excited and started chirping very loudly and hopping around the cage.

I couldnt put my hand in because i was nervous that he would 1) escape. 2) play bite me. 3) upset my flat neighbours with the noise.

Can anyone offer advice on how to go about this the right way. I dont want to show him im scared off everytime in case he makes it habbit.

He is my first cockatiel. I am relatively inexperienced in birds as previous to him ive only owned budgies