How to help your bird to get used to new things You would, of course, like to feed your cockatiel as varied a diet as possible. But it may refuse to touch a piece of unfamiliar fruit or vegetable for days because it is afraid of it. It will also take quite a long time for the bird to get used to your hand. At first the hand is seen as a threat, but if it is experienced day after day as a source of food, the bird will begin to accept it. Try offering a few seeds on the back of your hand every day after refilling the dishes.
Many cockatiels enjoy being sprayed with lukewarm water from a plant mister.
They raise their wings and twist and turn to expose all parts of the body to the water. Making the Bird Hand-tame As soon as your cockatiel dares take a few seeds from your hand, it is time to ask more of it. If the bird moves away, follow it cautiously with your hand. When the ring drops to the cage floor after the bird is through working on it with its beak, pick it up and remove it so it will continue to hold interest for the bird. Hold the finger horizontally.