Need Some Help With A Cockatiel

[Maggie1]

I recently got two cockatiels as a pet. I believe the two are female and roughly a year old. After a few days one of them began to stay at the bottom of the cage. She will eat and drink however she won't climb. I often see her pacing quickly in front of one of the cage doors at the bottom of the cage.

Lately I have noticed her at the back of the cage near her water dish swaying slowly side to side. I don't know if this is normal behavior or if something is wrong with her. I know she isn't blind or visibly injured. I've also checked for any sort of signs of illness that I know of such as any swelling, puffiness, discoloring, and fluids but found nothing wrong. Just normal signs of molting and being a otherwise healthy bird.

The other cockatiel sharing the cage with her looks just as healthy and is climbing, playing, etc. It even calls out to the other cockatiel and its even begun to stay at the bottom of the cage with it. I haven't seen any fighting, mating or any signs of either bird being bullied. So if anyone has any ideas of what is going on, please let me know as soon as possible.

 

[Mare Miller]

Being new to cockatiels, myself, I'm curious what this could be. I hope she's not sick. A vet visit may be needed

 

[davisn456]

The only time my cockatiels would ever go to the bottom of the cage like that is if they weren't feeling well or if they were freaked out about something. A new toy in the cage could cause this behavior, or just simply the change in environment (like a new object even in the room). If it's a new cage expecially, and being in a new home, I could see it being just withdrawal due to nervousness. I'd keep a close eye on it though. Regularly check to make sure she's eating and drinking, and maybe sit near the cage and talk to her to try to reassure her that things are ok. If it doesn't stop pretty quickly, I'd consider giving a call to a vet.

 

[Pajarita]

Where did you get the birds from? Could the one on the bottom be eggbound? I only have two tiels that 'live' on the bottom of the cage, one is blind and the other one has advanced liver failure (the vet gave him 2 months to live about 11 months ago) but even this one has started perching up high sometimes so I would say, please, take the bird to a vet because something is wrong and I don't think it's that it's scared.

 

[HollyG]

Eventhough she is at the bottom of the cage, she is being active it seems. Pacing back and fourth, espeically in front of the door is typical behavious if the bird wants out of the cage. Try taking them out... let them stretch their wings and take flight. The swaying back and fourth back in a corner is a fear behavious... typically females do this more because they aren't usually as brave as males are. Does she have her wings slightly lifted from her sides? She may or may not be using a slight hissing sound at the same time. There could be a toy near the top of the cage that is spooking her. Cockatiels are naturally spooky when it comes to new things, like toys, people, or even placing them in a different room. My cockatiel doesn't overly like when when I begin sweeping... she is a bit afraid of the broom because it is usually put away. You said you just recently got them... if it's only been a week or 2, they are still getting use to the surroundings. Try to pin point what it is that is in the room or cage that seems to be spooking her to the bottom of the cage. It's hard to diagnose these things over the internet without seeing a video of the behavious good luck! I prefer the work 'companion' over the word 'pet'

 

[crimson]

pacing back and forth would indicate she just wants out of the cage.(stressed) mine do that as well, so do my lovebirds.

as for swaying, only my hens do that when they are nesting or when they are angry, or protecting their territory...it means "back off!"

it sounds like your bird is fine, just temperamental,lol.

 

[MeganMango]

I have a pair of very old (23 and 27 years) rescue cockatiels that are very bonded to eachother. They are both male, and one of them (the younger one) loves the bottom of his cage. He does perch up on his perches and plays with toys though. He spends about 50% of his time playing with the paper on the bottom of his cage. It is concerning though that she doesnt come up and perch, which could be due to a balance issue, and the additional swaying causes me to worry there is a neurological issue. I would definitely call a vet and get a check up (this should really be done with new birds anyways) and make sure there is nothing physically wrong with her. We could list a million behavioral issues, and I agree that she may be perfectly and fine and could be afraid of something, stressed, or want out, but you wont know for sure until you rule out an underlying health problem. You will just worry until you get some confirmation that she isnt sick. I have worked in vet hospitals for years, please understand that waiting until you are certain something is very wrong is often too late. I really believe that going in right away saves a lot of money and trauma. She may just need some quick and easy treatment, but if left without treatment, an illness could progress to something much more serious.