Hi there--I have a 7-month old cockatiel who sometimes acts as if he's been bitten while he's preening. He will squawk and straighten up all of a sudden and look surprised, sort of stiffly shake out his wings, and then start preening again. Any ideas why he does this? Is there something wrong with the way his feathers are growing in? (He just completed his first molt). My other tiel also completed her first molt, and she doesn't do that. Thanks for any insight!
2007-03-13 13:34:48 · 8 answers · asked by Jennifer L 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
No, he is not plucking. I've watched him many times doing this, he never pulls feathers. My birds have lots of toys that they love playing with.
2007-03-14 00:56:20 · update #1
He probably still has some pin feathers growing in. They are painful when touched, it will go away. My cockatiels do the same thing!
If he manages to break a pin feather, you will need to pull it out quickly, they bleed a lot! Then pack the spot with corn starch to stop the bleeding. It is scary the first time it happens, but you can do it. :)
Make sure that he has a way to bathe, he will feel a lot better and be less dusty too. :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
2007-03-13 14:12:43 · answer #1 · answered by Christie D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. He is more sensitive than your other bird. Some birds experience really stressful molts that are very uncomfortable and others sail right through it. Nice warm baths can help. Splash the water and act happy just in case he sits there staring at you. Bleeding from pin feathers should it occur is minimal and not to be considered an emergency. Bleeding will stop on its own. These are not arteries. Give the same loving care you always have. Have a great spring.
2007-03-16 16:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cockatiels develop sensitive spots on their skin (like humans...we have lots of skin problems that can cause pain). You need to make sure that your cockatiel is healthy. Might want to have a vet check his skin under the feathers in that painful area. Could be a growing wound or infection, in the worse case scenario.
2007-03-15 03:48:36 · answer #3 · answered by Amaebi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, my cockatiels do that too. They start preening and squawk. It must bother them do pull out their down feathers. nothing to worry about.
2007-03-14 01:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Wrestle Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
provide it it slow to regulate to its new enviroment. as long as its no longer bald that's going to be ok. I in no way had a topic of over preening with my cockatiels. Mine are tame and look after of their enviroment. that's somewhat useful to get yet another cockatiel so it could have a pal to be with. good success.
2016-10-18 07:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by troesch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a poster on http://www.fish4tips.com who knows all about Cockatiels. She owns several. That would be a good place to ask further questions.
2007-03-13 19:47:31 · answer #6 · answered by Citizen Slam of the Chub Guard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is not preening, he is plucking.
You need to get him more or new toys and keep him busy!!!
2007-03-13 15:26:08 · answer #7 · answered by B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To me it sounds like he thinks somethings going to sneak up on him. Maybe you could try watching him from a distance so he can't see you (its hard cuz birds see all) and see if he does it still.
2007-03-13 14:00:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋