| By :
Michel Maling
Catching and handling a wild cockatiel is no easy task. Here are some tips on catching him and transfering him to a new location, with minimal stress to the bird. If you want to catch a cockatiel in a cage, the easiest way to do this is to place one hand on the back of the bird, using the thumb and little finger to restrain the wings. Hold the cockatiel's head gently between the thumb and second fingers and be careful not to squeeze too hard or you could squeeze the windpipe and suffocate the cockatiel. A cockatiel once caught in this manner will stop struggling, but will still try and bite your finger, so you might want to protect them with a pair of gloves. Catching a particular cockatiel in an avairy is far more challenging, as they fly fast and change position a lot. Some prefer to use a net to catch individual birds, but make sure it is well padded around the rim, or you could stun or kill the cockatiel. Proper catching nets are available from pet shops or specialist pet suppliers. If you want to catch a cockatiel in an aviary, first take down all the perches, so that they do not obstruct your movement. The birds will then fly onto the mesh, and hold on with their claws and it will be easier to catch them in this way. The nets are usually deep, so you can restrain the bird by holding the material just below the rim for a few seconds. Rest the rim of the net of the floor of the aviary, and then you can use both hands to transfer the cockatiel. First restrain its head as described earlier then use your free hand to unhook the claws from the net. A cockatiel always clenches its feet when caught and will try and grab onto any available surface, so be gentle when trying to unclench them. If you own any sort of bird or parrot, investing in a good wooden travelling box is a good idea. You can either purchase this from your pet store, or build one for yourself. A traveling box is normally shallow, which prevents the cockatiel from flying upwards and injuring himself. Some people use cardboard boxes for transporting cockatiels, but beware as these are not escape proof. Cockatiels could fly hard into the flaps and escape, or simply chew a hole in the box with their sharp beaks. Support the bottom of the box, or it might come open with the weight of the cockatiel. If traveling in a car with your cockatiel, make sure never to leave him in a hot car or a boot, as this could prove fatal. Cockatiels are very sensitive to carbon monoxide fumes, so the boot is not the place for him. If you are going to be traveling for a long time, make sure to provide your cockatiel with food and water for the journey.
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