My five month old 'tiel has two annoying habits. I have been trying to train him to talk but he always jumps from my finger to my shoulder. Is there a way I can keep him on my finger during this time? Also, I have a lot of freckles on my neck and arms. He likes to nibble on them, is there any way that I can get him to stop this? Thank you.
Nicole
Nicole,
Your 'tiel feels safer when he is on your shoulder. When you two have your training to talk sessions, try putting the bird on the back of a chair next to yours. The thin back type chairs, like dinette chairs, works well. You need to put a little distance between you and your 'tiel when training because, obviously, the finger is too close to your shoulder.
We don't have a solution to the freckle problem, other than keeping him away from them. Cockatiels are energetic and curious little creatures and he is only doing what his nature has taught. There are some things we shouldn't try to alter.