Cockatiel

[RohanL]

So Picasso has started to play or preen my hair at night, my hair is just above my shoulders and at night when he's on my shoulder after or before napping he will be playing or preening my hair. Tonight he climbed on top of the couch and stood on the back of the couch leaning over my hair. I think it's preening at least. It actually feels nice and tickles though he leaves a mess. He has only started this behaviour in the last couple of weeks and he's about 8 months old. I'm a little worried that he's started this because he's getting older and maybe sees me as a mate? I'm hoping it's just affection. He always gets scritches everyday and especially at night he loves them any time actually. I put my finger up and if he bows his head I give him scritches and also fix any pin feathers I find. I never touch his body, back, wings though I do give him kisses on the head and he gives them back. So is he just being affectionate or something else like him seeing me as a mate? He's was born either June or July 30th last year , I can't remember right now. I'm hoping he's still too young to be maturing into full adult .

 

[DonnaBudgie]

No worries about preening,- they preen each other outside of mating as a social behavior. Males will preen other males, etc.
Cockatiels are sexually mature at about 8 months old so, he's at that puberty age right now. I had a male years ago and puberty was a non-event. I don't recall seeing any parrot puberty behavioral problems but maybe I was lucky. Picasso is really beautiful!

 

[wrench13]

Puberty/mating behavior with you would look more like.... humping something like your hand. Preening is not that.