Parrots PTSD?

Jeans · Aug 24, 2016

Didn't know where to put this, but here it goes.

I've been wondering, can parrots have something similar to PTSD? My 'tiel (grrrr still no name!) was given to me by a friend, the bird had flown into their house. Both her and I have searched for the owner to no avail.

She is an odd bird for sure. She will be sleeping and all of a sudden she will wake up and make a strange/startled high pitched squawk. It just seems like she remembered something scary and has a mini panic attack. It's a little odd, and really makes me think of PTSD, maybe from being in the wild or possibly at her former home. Not sure.

Is it possible?

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Allee · Aug 24, 2016

Congratulations! How long have you had your cockatiel? Are you following quarantine protocol to protect Starry?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in humans is a serious disorder, research is ongoing, especially now with so many war veterans experiencing symptoms. I'm not aware of PTSD in parrots, but it's possible researchers are looking into it.

Given a label or not, parrots do experience stress and show various symptoms. Your cockatiel was lost, it's hard to say what she experienced while out in the wild. Night frights are very common in cockatiels, leaving a light on, putting at least one side of her cage against a wall, and maybe covering the top half of her cage at night should help. More than likely she will adjust to her new home and the night frights will eventually taper off and go away completely.

We'd love to see photos of Starry's new flock mate.

Notdumasilook · Aug 24, 2016

Interesting question. Methinks the birdie was lucky to find you. Question....do u cover the bird at nite time? Second question...do you see the bird preen right after she jumps? That bird was in the wild and could have picked up a parasite bug that bites and it startles em when sleeping. There is an easy fix for that.... doggie shampoo and a soaking bath.....be sure to rinse well and don't let the bird get chilled. and DONT get any suds her nose/ lungs...
If its more of a stress issue, plenty of love and the secure feeling being covered up (as mentioned) will probably take care of it. From what I have observed, birds do dream.. very perceptive of you to pick that up. Good luck to you and your birdie!!

texsize · Aug 24, 2016

I got my first cockatiel from the wild's of camarillo CA.
Named him Lucky.
Sometimes he gets spooked for no reason I can figure out. I have thought it might be from some close call he had while he was loose. We have a lot of ravens where I live and (this is just a guess) it could be the sound of one cawing that freaks him out.
Over the years (15) that I have had him the episodes have become less frequent

he recommendation above are all good ones.
Leave a light on at night.
one side of cage against a wall
covering of at least some of the cage at night.

If the bird feels a draft of air (hot or cold) it can get spooked that's why covering it is a good idea.
texsize

GaleriaGila · Aug 24, 2016

I have been told by cockatiel lovers that cockatiels are just very susceptible to night-time "flaps"...
So... nightlights? cage covers? window blinds DOWN? eliminate traffic in their area?

Parrots PTSD?

Jeans

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Allee

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Notdumasilook

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texsize

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GaleriaGila

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