Cockatiel Hypnosis
That’s right… I said ‘Cockatiel Hypnosis’!
I’m a HUGE believer in NLP, which is a form of self hypnosis used to help people quit smoking, achieve more success, get a better job, do better in athletics etc…
So, to help you understand how I’ve been recently using hypnosis to instantly change the mood of my Cockatiel, Magoo, here’s a brief glimpse into how my brain worked up this crazy theory…
How Self Hypnosis Could Work In Cockatiel, Parrots and Any Type Of Bird
First, let me say that Hypnosis is VERY real!
I first saw a hypnotist act while I was still going to high school in Spokane, Washington. And my brother, who’s now a professional magician, was a fanatic at making sure we went to see every new entertainment act he could so me, his reluctant brother went to see this hypnotist in action.
And WOW, did he make a BELIEVER out of me!
The hypnotist took volunteers from the audience, put them into a trance, and literally programmed these people to do weird and funny behaviors whenever the hypnotist would say a certain word.
He programmed one guy, who was the toughest looking, over-weight trucker in the audience, to stand up and scream at the top of his lungs.. “I LOVE wearing women’s underwear!” every time the hypnotist said the guy’s name.
It was HILARIOUS
But, hypnosis is more than just a funny side show that makes you laugh; it can also be a powerful tool for self improvement. One type of self hypnosis, that has become VERY respected for the results its achieving, is NLP.
NLP, otherwise known as Neuro-Linguistic Programming, trains you to take something that you’re really
scared of, like spiders, and replace that ‘scared’ feeling with a feeling of extreme calmness or peace.
Then, it shows you how to trigger that feeling of peace every time you think of spiders, until you no
longer feel afraid.
So, as I was reading up on this NLP, I got to thinking: I wonder if this would work on all birds also?
Could it be possible to replace the feelings of aggression in my birds, with the feelings of joy or happiness by ‘hypnotizing’ him?
I know it sounds like a long shot, but I think it actually works!
Here’s how I tested it on my Cockatiel. As you know, I recently released a course that teaches Parrots how to talk on cue, which is now available. As I was producing that course, I realized that our Cockatiel was VERY willing to step up and be pet while he was in the act of singing or talking. Something about how he felt while talking made him a LOT happier.
This allowed me to know exactly when my bird was in a GREAT mood which was when he whistled his happy song I call it but I’ve yet to figure out where he got it from. So if my cockatiel feels happy while singing or saying a certain word, would making him say that word also put him in a better mood?
Could these two actions be connected?
For my bird, they WERE!
I can now simply start to mimic his favorite whistle when he’s in a bad mood and refusing to behave, and WHAALAA his bad mood vanishes instantly! It’s truly amazing and makes you relieze how smart your cockatiels are!
It’s like I’m the pied piper taking control with my flute, excuse me – I mean whistle lol.
I think it’s using the same hypnosis principals. It’s taking a feeling of happiness and pairing it with an action, in this case, singing Winnie The Pooh. The bird is then trained to not just sing the song when he’s happy, but actually be HAPPY while singing the song. I can then sing the song myself, and this seems to trigger my bird to actually feel happy.
Sure sounds like hypnosis to me.
Or at the very least – a cue to be happy. I know this theory sounds like it’s an episode on some late night Sci-Fi channel, but I think it’s worth exploring. I’d love to hear back from you if you’ve had similar experiences with your birds.
So, Until Next Time, Happy Training From Cockatiel Cages!
Cockatiel Cages Complete Crash Course Guide – Buying The Right Bird Cage!
Getting your new cockatiel home
OK so you just purchased your new cockatiel from the pet store and you haven’t even given him a name yet. What’s the best way to get your cockatiel into its new home? Normally at the pet store you will be given a small box with air holes in to carry the cockatiel home in.
If there are no other birds in the cage or aviary you are putting the new bird into, then you should place the box on the bottom of the cage and open the flaps. Let the cockatiel come out in its own time, they will do when ready. Although, if it has been considerably long time and they still do not emerge from the box to get water, then you should tip the box gently ensuring not to harm the bird.
If you are bring the bird into an aviary or cage that already has birds in, it is a good idea to keep them separate by putting the new comer in its own small cage. This way you can keep your eye on the bird in case it is carrying any diseases that could be passed over to the other birds. One thing to look for is how the other birds react, do they bully the new bird, or does the new bird look like bullies themselves?
Cockatiel cages
Cockatiels need a large cage, the larger the better. At least a cage that is 65 x 50 x 45cm in size, so it can freely spread its wings without hitting the cage. If your cage is too small, the bird could become unhealthy and put on excess weight from lack of exercise.
The spacing of the bars should be narrow enough so the cockatiel can’t poke its head through and get stuck. Having horizontal bars on 2 sides of the cage is good to let the cockatiel climb up the side of the cage.
Cages are normally made of metal for the bars and frame of the cage and a plastic for the bottom. Try to get a cage with a pull out bottom do that it can be cleaned quickly. On television you may have seen cages that are bamboo or constructed of timber. These cages should be avoided as they can house parasites and are difficult to keep clean, also the cockatiels beak can easily break through these materials.
Outdoor aviary
You can keep your cockatiel outside in an outdoor aviary, you must ensure these conditions if you are to do so. An outdoor aviary needs to be draught free, dry, have an insulated room to shelter from shade and should face the sun.
If you keep an outdoor aviary you can buy different sand to the standard sand that is used in indoor cages. Coarse sand will allow you to be able to rake away the droppings and used for longer before it needs to be replaced. Alternatively you can use pea shingle, which can be hosed down regularly with water.
The mesh that makes up the walls of your aviary should be buried into the floor down to about 35cm to stop rodents from getting in. The gauge for the wire used in most aviaries is 19G.
The roof of the outdoor aviary should offer an open space where the cockatiels can bathe in light rain showers. It should also offer a good amount of shelter in case of heavy rain. Place all the food and water containers underneath the sheltered section. In extreme cold conditions the water in the containers can freeze, it is important to change water frequently or buy water containers with heating elements.
Cockatiel Cage Location
It is important to place your bird’s cage in the best position you can. Cockatiels want to be around you so try to place the cage where someone will always be in the house, like the living room. Make sure the area you put the cockatiel cage is draft and temp friendly and allow it offer some shade for the bird.
Unfortunately taking care of all of these considerations doesn’t leave most people with many choices as to where to put the cage so you may end up rearranging your living room to accustom the birds living quarters.
Do not keep the cage in the kitchen as the temperature fluctuates too much and there are too many hazards if let out to fly. Bedrooms are usually too quiet for the cage to be kept and a hallway is normally draughty, the best place to keep a bird in your home is normally always the living room.
In the living room the bird can hear or watch the television, the cage should be a few meters away from the television set and out of direct view; you will find your bird will enjoy listening to the sounds and watching the lights.
If you home gets cold at night, it is a good idea to cover the cage with a towel or blanket, ensuring that enough air is getting into the cage still. You can make a routine for the bird so it knows when bedtime is when the blanket comes up and covers the cage.
Cockatiel Accessories
There are some things that a cockatiel will need in its cage; these include food containers, water bottles and cuttlefish bones. The best drinker to get is a plastic bottle that sits on the outside of the cage with its spout pointing into the cage for the cockatiel to drink from.
Keep the drinker cleans by cleaning it regularly to remove the algae that grow naturally inside of it. Try not to place drinking water on the bottom of the cage as it can easily get dropping inside which could cause contamination and make your bird ill. The drinking water should be changed twice a day to stop bacteria from multiplying. If the water is dirty then the cockatiel could refuse to drink it and get dehydrated.
Get a small bathing container to place inside the cage, don’t make the water too cold, room temperature is best and remember to change it every day. It is so fun watching your cockatiel bath itself and flick water onto its feathers, once you see your bird has bathed itself, you should remove the bath to prevent the cage getting any wetter.
Clip a cuttlefish bone to the side of the cage for your cockatiel to trim its beak with, the cuttlefish also serves a good source for calcium and phosphorus.
When you walk down the bird alley in your local pet store, you have probably noticed the myriad of extravagant toys available to your bird. Do you really need them? While they may look like fun, the reality is they could take up too much room in your cage, if you do buy huge bulky toys for your bird, try to remove them from the cage and only introduce them at a set time when they can play with their toy.
Sand and Grit
In its natural environment, a cockatiel will feed from the ground most of the time, this is where they find grass seeds which make up the majority of their diet. Ensure that your cockatiel has easy access to the ground of their cage. Some pet stores sell metal grills that cover the bottom of the cage to aid in cleaning but these are not really recommended for a cockatiel.
Most sands contain small pieces of eggshells and mussel that cockatiels eat from the ground to help with the bird’s mineral metabolism. You can get gravel paper, which is just paper with sand and seeds glued to it, this type of floor covering will not satisfy the cockatiels natural desire to pick at and scratch the ground. This type of covering also makes the bottom of the cage very hard, so if the bird was to fall off its perch it could hurt itself. *Bird sand is always recommended as being better than gravel paper, so try to get it if you can.
Cockatiel Perches
When cages are manufactured, the perches are made to standard diameter and are usually made from plastic or timber. It is a good idea to replace the standard cockatiel perches with natural branches. A cockatiels perch should vary from around 0.4 to 0.18cm in diameter and let’s your parrot or bird naturally grow a healthy set of little cute feet and this forces the cockatiels toe muscles to adjust constantly allwhile helping their feet from becoming cramped and damaged.
Trees to look for cockatiel branches are deciduous trees like willow, elm, fruit, and larch and beech trees. Do not use branches that have come from shrubs or trees with toxic branches, bark or fruit. Ensure that the branch is free from any other bird droppings from wild birds and wash it before you put it in the cage.
Cockatiels will gnaw at the bark on a branch in their cage and it can serve as a good part of the bird’s diet as it contains nutrients that are good for the bird. Once the cockatiel has destroyed the branch by chewing at it or it is covered in a lot of droppings, replace the branch with a new one.
The perches or branches inside the cockatiel cage should be arranged in such a way as to provide maximum freedom of movement for the bird, especially when it stretches its wings. Try to place the perches about 45cm apart so the cockatiel has to use its wings to get from one to the other. Make sure there is enough space for the bird not to always have their tail feather touching the cage. Do not put any perches above food or water containers in case its droppings fall into them causing them to become contaminated.
Cleaning a Cockatiel Cage
A cockatiels cage and furnishings need to be cleaned regularly in order to ensure good hygiene. An aviary that contains lots of birds will need to be cleaned much more frequently as they contain many more birds.
A modern cage is easier to clean as opposed to a bamboo or timber cage. If you are looking to buy a cockatiel cage, get one with a plastic bottom that pulls out as a draw.
You can use your vacuum to clean up excess dirty, feathers and food that has dropped out of the side of the cage, the amount of food that will spill out of most cockatiel cages is mind blowing, you have to own one to realize and why seed guards are a must although not a 100% prevention – trust me, nothing is.
You should soak the cage bottom in detergent for up to 24hrs. Clean the wire on the cage with a brush and water. If you have an outdoor aviary to clean, it is recommended to use a steam cleaner.
All materials that you have cleaned will need to be dried thoroughly and finally disinfect the cage with a popular disinfectant available from your pet shop or chemist.
Popular Bird Reference Guide
I cannot say enough to please remember that all birds require a lot of time and love to become the joy and new family member you are looking for. Before making the quick buy at your local pet store and bringing a new bird into your home… PLEASE do your homework and learn everything and all you can about the bird’s needs, behavior, how much everything will cost up front and how much you need to spend on food and finding the best bird cage type and location for your cockatiel or any bird species. Go talk to local popular bird breeders, talk to an avian vet, attend bird shows, ask questions and read all you can before making the final call. I wouldn’t trade all my cockatiels and parrots for anything despite the noise level throughout the day lol.
Cockatiels
Probably the best all around inexpensive companion birds. These bright and lively birds are very gentle and social. Males become fluent speakers and whistlers although more independent. Females are generally quieter and more social, but not as good a talker.
Common Varieties: Grey, Lutino, Pied , and Pearl
Native Habitat: Australia
Height: 10 to 12 inches from top of crest to tip of tail
Life Span: 15 to 25 years
Sex Differences: When mature males are usually more colorful than females
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 18″H x 18″W x 18″D
Parakeets
The most common and inexpensive of all pet birds. Playful and fun these little guys are a joy to have. Parakeets (also known as Budgies) are hardy and quiet birds that can even learn to talk.
Native Habitat: Australia
Height: 7 inches from head to tip of tail
Life Span: 7 to 15 years
Sex Differences: After 4 months, cere becomes blue in males, brown in females
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 12″H x 14″W x 12″D
Canaries
Well known for their beautiful song and brilliant coloration, especially during breeding season. These birds will certainly brighten any room they placed in.
Common Varieties: American Singer, Border Fancy, Red Factor
Native Habitat: Canary Islands and Azores
Height: 5 to 7 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 5 to 14 years
Sex Differences: Males have loud song and vent becomes enlarged during breeding season. Females rarely sing and vent only swells slightly.
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 12″H x 10″W x 12″D
Finches
These delightful little birds will add excitement and color anywhere. Simple to keep and care for, but they do best in pairs. Some peep or sing softly, many can be finger trained.
Common Varieties: Lady Gouldian, Society, Zebra
Native Habitat: Found worldwide
Height: Generally 3 to 6 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Some varieties develop quite extended tail plumage
Life Span: 4 to 5 years
Sex Differences: When mature males are generally brighter colored or differently colored than female. Some varieties show no differences.
Cage Requirements: Minimum size for a pair 14″H x 36″W x 10″D
Amazon Parrots
Probably the most popular group of parrots available today. These birds are generally very social and loving. These fun-loving birds will appreciate a variety of toys. Always try to purchase young birds, as older parrots can be difficult to tame and train. Some Amazons can make quite a lot of noise, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
Common Varieties: Blue Fronted, Double Yellow-Head, Lilac Crowned, Spectacled
Native Habitat: Mexico, Central and South America
Height: 10 to 18 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 25 to 50 plus years
Sex Differences: Most varieties show no sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D
African Grey Parrots
Talking and mimicry are these birds’ best known traits. They can learn an incredible amount of words, phrases and sounds. Young birds bond very well with humans, sometimes developing a preference for a single person. Quite loving and intelligent, these birds are a real joy to have, but do require a lot of attention.
Common Varieties: Red Tail, Timneh
Native Habitat: Central Africa
Height: 12 to 13 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 50 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D
Macaws
The best known and most often seen of the larger pet birds. Macaws are very intelligent, can develop an extensive vocabulary, and can be taught many tricks. These beautiful animals are often the feature attractions in bird shows. Macaws require a lot of attention and training. They can be prolific chewers and can become very noisy. Very affectionate birds, often developing very strong bonds with their humans.
Common Varieties: Blue and Gold, Green-Winged, Hyacinth, Noble, Scarlet
Native Habitat: Mexico, Central and South America
Height: 12 to 40 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 25 to 50 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum size 24″H x 18″W x 18″D for smallest varieties
Minimum size 48″H x 48″W x 36″D for largest varieties
Cockatoos
Every bird lover is familiar with this group of white colored birds. As a group they are quite loving and can become moderate talkers. They love people and need social interaction. They sometimes bond with only one family member. Cockatoos are very intelligent, are active chewers, and can be quite mischievous. Powder from feathers can sometimes trigger allergic reactions in people. Daily misting can help eliminate problem.
Common Varieties: Goffin, Greater Sulphur-crested, Moluccan, Umbrella
Native Habitat: Australia, Indonesia, and Phillipines
Height: 12 to 26 inches from top of head to tip of tail
Life Span: 30 plus years
Sex Differences: No visible sexual differences
Cage Requirements: Minimum Size 36″H x 24″W x 24″D
Super Pet EZ Care Bow Front Playtop Bird Cage
After months of research my wife and I decided to get this wonderful bird cage. I am very hard to please when I buy things, and let me tell you I’m pleased with EZ cage cockatiel cages. I waited awhile before posting a review because I wanted to write this after actually using this cockatiel playtop cage in my home (it has been just about 2 months. Here are my thoughts)
1. It is medium size cage not to big or small and fits and looks nice in my living room.
2. I have 2 cockatiels and the 1/2 spacing is great for my love bird.
3.My cockatiel bird learned how to open the doors in his old cage (Smart Bird).
4.Feeding any bird is a breeze and it’s very easy to clean.
(***TIP*** use vinegar and paper towel to clean the front plastic/acrylic front)
6. I love the front clear door it allows me to see what my bird is doing.
7. The perches are wood I also clean them once a week with vinegar.
8. After I clean the cage I move all his toys, and perches to a new position.
9. My bird loves the playtop and plays on it or hours.
10. My number one reason why I love this cage because my cockatiel loves it.
Cockatiel Bird Accessories. Find All Bird Supplies At The Cheapest Prices!
I wanted to share with everyone one of my favorite sites that I usually try first when ordering cockatiel and bird food, toys and accessories. The Cockatiel Bird Store has one of the biggest selection of products I’ve seen and always has the lowest price on any bird supply I need. I must say the shipping is very cheap compared to other online stores, but the shipping is lightning fast. My last order was for cockatiel food and parrot food in which I wanted to buy bulk… over 25lbs of bird food was at my doorstep in 3 business day’s for only $2.99. I felt I should share the cockatiel bird accessories company with everyone considering how often I buy from them and I haven’t had a problem with any of my orders to this day.