Hello from the deep south, USA

[sharpchick]

I've just joined the forum to learn from and talk to other bird owners after lurking for a while.

The newest addition to my flock is Fonzie, a male normal gray cockatiel. He's lived with us for about two weeks now, and still is not happy when I put my hand in his cage, unless it has millet attached to it. He does come to the front of the cage to greet me, and he picked up wolf whistling very quickly, which he uses as an attention getter.

I have a question already - my budgies get a daily misting and seem to enjoy it. Their feathers get wet, and I can't seem to get water down in Fonzie's feathers. On top of that, he doesn't seem too crazy about the idea. I've thought of putting a shallow bowl of lukewarm water down in his cage, but he still has "issues" with new items of decor in his cage.

Any suggestions?

[Shirley]

Welcome!! Glad you found us!!

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/em/WelcomeParrot.gif

A lot of birds don't take their bath regularly... our 'tiel Tucker doesn't. He also doesn't care for misting, and getting a "powder-producing" bird wet is a challenge! I just mist the smaller birds all over once a week if I remember, and lift their wings and mist... and I do this outside the cage as it's easier for me. The finches dive into their bathtub daily, but not so the Bourke's or Tucker!

You might repost your question in the 'Tiel species forum and see what responses you get. :D

[Islandzoo]

Hi and Welcome to BoF :)

[Jean]

It's nice to have you join us!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jeanaskins/welcome%20-%20friendship/welcome-to-the-group.gifWe have a great group of bird lovers here.

It takes time to get some birds to accept strange items in and near their cage. You may want to place the bowl near his cage for awhile add a little water and splash it with your hands to show him it is fun. Eventually, he should learn not to fear it. Then the time will come to try putting it in the cage. It takes a lot of patience! and persistance!

[sharpchick]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the suggestions.

[NHMarie]

Welcome to the board!

[birdnerd]

Howdy stranger...

Come on en an' set a spell...

My girlie tiel doesn't like to get wet at all. Water is for drinking _only_. My male tiel and my pi with both occasionally splash in their water bowl, but don't you **DARE** try to get either of them wet by any other means. They get ... cranky.

[Dynaglide625]

Welcome Sharpchick, nice of you to join us! My daughter & I just joined BoF recently, and you will love the people here. Everyone is friendly, and more than willing to share their knowledge & experiences with you. Pictures are always great too! Our family consists of 3 humans, 1 Golden Retriever (Jasper), 1 Cockatiel (Seamus) and as of today 1 BLUE CROWNED CONURE:clap: !!!!We don't have our new baby home yet, he's still in PA. But we're planning on seeing him (approx. 3-1/2 hrs. round trip) quite a few times til he comes home to NJ. Our new friends here on BoF really helped us with our decision on which bird to get, so THANKS TO EVERYONE:heart: . Have to go now, time for Jasper's last trot of the evening. Best to all !!

[Jean]

Welcome Sharpchick, nice of you to join us! My daughter & I just joined BoF recently, and you will love the people here. Everyone is friendly, and more than willing to share their knowledge & experiences with you. Pictures are always great too! Our family consists of 3 humans, 1 Golden Retriever (Jasper), 1 Cockatiel (Seamus) and as of today 1 BLUE CROWNED CONURE:clap: !!!!We don't have our new baby home yet, he's still in PA. But we're planning on seeing him (approx. 3-1/2 hrs. round trip) quite a few times til he comes home to NJ. Our new friends here on BoF really helped us with our decision on which bird to get, so THANKS TO EVERYONE:heart: . Have to go now, time for Jasper's last trot of the evening. Best to all !!

Congratulations!!! It's great to hear about your new baby Blue Crown Conure.:wub: I can't wait to see pics!

[vmtwriter]

Welcome to the bird forum, Sharpchick. You asked some great questions and Shirley's suggestion about asking them again in the Tiel forum is really good. There are some great people here on the board who can offer some really good suggestions. :thumbup: I hope you found a second home here with us. :emot-danc

By the way, I have a sun conure, his name is Bailey. You can see his picture in my avatar. He's a very spoiled bird. :funny:

[harleybaby]

My tiel Mickey had the same problem, I could spray him and spray him and I be darned if the bird ever got wet. LOL The water would just roll off of him. I did notice though that after time the feathers did start to, I think it may happen when they haven't bathed for a long time. My tiel Harley is a water baby and 3 squirts and she is soaked. Does your tiel enjoy baths? All of mine do but if he does I would just keep trying with the misting and even putting a small shallow bowl in there like you had mentioned. He may seem weary at first but should get used to it, most birds just can't take the curiousity and eventually will explore it. I just wouldn't place it near the food dishes. Some of my birds enjoy bathing but don't feel the need to bathe all the time, kinda like when the mood strikes them.:D Good luck! Leah

[Sue]

Hi and WELCOME!!:) Hang in there it's early days yet:agree:

Ollie my tiel used to hate being sprayed but loves a bath, if you see him bathing in his drinking water just put a small saucer of water in there, nothing too big to spook him, he may just get inquisitive;)
Ollie used to hate being sprayed so in hot weather I did it from a distance, then one day he started lifting his wings and was LOVING it.
He loves it now when he's in the mood but I never push it. I took some pics the other day which i'll post in teil tales.

[Majj]

Welcome to the Group..
Will look forward to seeing some piccy`s of your flock ...
I am Marion aka Majj from downunder in Oz...just wanted to pop in and say hi !! too busy to play right now but I will check in later on tonight ..
Once again WELCOME I am sure you will love it here...