new cockatiel owner

Hello all,

I have just purchased a young male cockatiel which I am thrilled with. He is
so tame already. He will step up and is able to leave his cage all in the
first week at home! I love him. He is cuddly and loves nothing more than
time out of his cage with me. He is also happy with other family members.
Being new to parrot ownership I have a couple of questions. He loves being
out so much but it is sometimes hard to get him back in. He tends to nip
when he knows he is going back to the cage when i ask him to step up onto my
hand. I want to start off right, and not ruin him by doing the wrong thing.
Suggestions gratefully accepted. I also want to teach him to talk. He seems
so clever already. Obviously had a perfect start to life! I hope to continue
in the same way.

Thanks in advance
Buddy's new mum

"pipifox" <wiricketts.RemoveThis@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:fXdyd.468$mo2.33781@news.xtra.co.nz...
> Hello all,
>
> I have just purchased a young male cockatiel which I am thrilled with. He
is
> so tame already. He will step up and is able to leave his cage all in the
> first week at home! I love him. He is cuddly and loves nothing more than
> time out of his cage with me. He is also happy with other family members.
> Being new to parrot ownership I have a couple of questions. He loves being
> out so much but it is sometimes hard to get him back in. He tends to nip
> when he knows he is going back to the cage when i ask him to step up onto
my
> hand. I want to start off right, and not ruin him by doing the wrong
thing.
> Suggestions gratefully accepted. I also want to teach him to talk. He
seems
> so clever already. Obviously had a perfect start to life! I hope to
continue
> in the same way.
>
> Thanks in advance
> Buddy's new mum
>
>
Firstly, not all parrots talk. You get results by talking to him. Say one
word regularly, like 'Hello', or 'Pretty bird' or something. As regards him
nipping when it is time to go back to his cage, make sure you always give
him a treat he really really likes when he is placed back in his cage . Only
give this treat at this time and no other. Try a bit of juicy apple, or a
small piece of millet spray. Thirdly, get yourself a book on parrot
training. It will not only help you to train your bird but will help you to
understand the way your bird thinks and to understand why he does certain
things.

--
'Guide to companion parrot behaviour'
'My parrot my friend'
'Guide to a well behaved parrot'
'Birds for dummies'
Are my favourites and you can often get them off ebay cheaply enough. The
first in the list is one of my favourites.