Two weeks ago I adopted an eight month old standard 'tiel called Calliope who appeared not to have been finger trained. She now willingly perches on my finger and shoulder but is very frightened if I try to pet her with my hand. Do you have a suggested method for easing her fear of hands? I am also unsure of her sex and would like to know how to tell once and for all if the bird is a male or female. Since I aquired the bird it has not spoken despite having been a talker in the past, how long do they usually take to acclimate to new surroundings?
Penny
Penny,
Since your bird is an 8 month old normal grey, if it is a male the area round the face would be turning bright yellow. Males usually begin to turn during their first molt, which is between the age of 8 to 10 months. Females do not get the bright yellow face but instead retain the grey coloring around the face. You will also notice at this age, males are much more vocal.
Try feeding Calliope her favorite treats with your hand. A piece of spray millet is a good way to begin. It won't be long before your tiel knows you are not going to hurt her when you put your hand out to pet her.
Most birds will not talk until they feel completely safe in their new home. It could take several weeks before the birds starts to talk again.