This is a wonderful service you are providing.

My cockatiel Sunny came home with me just for the summer from a kindergarten classroom.

I have become quite fond of her over the last few weeks. She waits to have me take her out of her cage and when she comes out she swoops around the room then lands on my head or shoulder. When the kids are around however, she becomes frightened.

My questions are 1) How do I get her to eat more than just seed? I have tried to give her fruit and veggies but she just ignores them. She also loves to be rubbed by my finger on her head and around he face. She just lays out flat allowing me to rub her for quite a while. Sometimes however for no apparent reason she will go at me viciously with her beak when I try and rub her.

I am also concerned that she loses lots of dust and pieces EVERY time she preens herself on me. Is that normal?

Thanks in advance from a first time pet owner.

Joseph S.

Joseph,

Don't give up on your efforts to get her to eat fresh vegetables. Some birds are more stubborn than others and take more time to convert to new diets. Offer her some type of fresh veggie daily.

Cockatiels naturally shed a lot of dust. Misting can help, however, the almost perpetual process of growing new feathers creates these particles, that if not shed, would certainly create more severe problems.