We have just welcomed Dudley into our home. He (she ?) is a five month old cockatiel. We have had him about 2 weeks. We got him from firends who birds gave birth. I have read a number of books, but they do not answer some of my questions. Could you please help us?

1. They mention that it is easier to train a young cockatiel. When is a cockatiel an adult. At what age?

2. He will eat from our hands when we are outside the cage, but when we put our hands in, he seems unhappy. He opens his mouth and sometimes moves towards us and has hissed on ocassion. They say a young cockatiel will not bite or will not bite hard. Again, is he young and is this true about the biting?

Many thanks from Dudley and us!