You have now spent some time Getting to Know Your Cockatiel and Finger Taming Your Cockatiel.

The next step is shoulder training – unless you want to spend your day holding your finger up and out for your wonderful little bird.

Due to the danger to your face and eyes, it is often not safe to allow some of the larger parrots on your shoulder, but Cockatiels are small enough that they can not do a lot of damage, even if they do decide to bite.

Many Cockatiels will automatically run from your finger, up your arm, right to your shoulder, as if they have always sat there. If your bird does this, you now have your hands free as you walk around your home.

Other Cockatiels may need to be placed there the first time before realizing that they now have an easy way of getting around the house.

If you decide that a shoulder-riding Cockatiel is what you want, you must be careful of jewellery that you might be wearing. The shiny earrings and necklace might be toxic to your bird and/or might be broken by your bird.

Another danger to a shoulder-riding Cockatiel is that you might forget that he is there. Any time that you go to the door when someone knocks, you must stop and check to see if your bird is on your shoulder. If you are going to the kitchen to make a meal involving a hot burner, hot oven or boiling water, you must stop and check to see if your bird is on your shoulder. Cockatiels are very light-weight and if they are quiet, it is very easy to forget you have one on your shoulder.

For more information on Cockatiels, please see
Cockatiels
Breeding Cockatiels

Cockatiels are one of my favourite birds and after several years of experience with them, I have written a Cockatiel e-book.


Avian Publications have a wonderful selection of Cockatiel books available.