my cockatiel shakes head all the time.

hey folks. i just got these 2 cockatiels from a bird rescue. they are generally healthy and eat well but my female shakes her head constantly and is very aggressive. there is no nasal discharge or signs of parasites on her. she doesn't only bite me but occasionally bites her mate, which is a lot less aggressive. i don't know much about the history of these birds. i don't think they were handled much. they will set up on my hand if i go in gently. a couple of days ago, i gave them a misting bath w/ warm water. they seemed to enjoy that but the head shaking continues on my female. any ideas? thanks in advance!

Do you know if your cockatiels had a vet visit while at the rescue? The constant head shaking could be an indication of a variety of illnesses including respiratory issues. Birds are very good at hiding their symptoms until they are seriously ill. I think the best advice we can offer is to schedule an exam with an Avian certified veterinarian.

At home you can continue the warm water mist baths and check the humidity level in your home. It's possible your female is having trouble adapting to her new home. Do you know if your birds are a bonded pair and if they were in a breeding situation before they showed up at the rescue?

Same questions as Allee please keep a close eye on the aggression. You may need to move her to another cage. Just because two birds have been sharing a cage doesn't mean they want to! It could also be that their cage is too small. What are the dimensions?

Can you describe the head shaking to us in a bit more detail? Is it like constant quaking or more like a spasm with the mouth open? And does it usually have hissing with it, or does it usually seem like she is shaking it AT you or her mate? I ask because a typical cockatiel in a stressed state will often threaten whatever is scaring them by hissing, shaking the head, raising the wings, puffing the feathers, or other "scare tactics" sometimes all at once, sometimes just one or the other. And sometimes they are drama queens that just do to the second they don't get their own way, such as when scratches are administered incorrectly (like my Battle; so. Spoiled.). Actually on second thought, can we see a video? Because it is easy to recognize the 'tiel 'tude, but I would never want to say "it's normal" without seeing it and have it be a severe medical issue, nor would I want to say "rush to the vet and spend money" if it's just an attitude ting which is most likely caused by the stress of the move.

Your cockatiel may suffer from a sudden change of atmosphere. If the room temperature or humidity is very different from what the tiel is used to, this may result in fluffing, sickness or sometimes ticks such as head shaking. Another possibility is that she is bothered by loud noises. I play saxophone and my tiel can't stand the noise so I put him in the outside aviary while I play. So if there is any loud noises those should be considered. It could also be part of aggression toward you or the other cockatiel. The last possibility is of course illness, if you have access to a vet it would be a good idea to get a professional opinion.
Good luck! Hope I helped

her head shakes are like we would do if a fly was landing on us. her mouth is closed. there is no other body language. i would post a vid. but I'm no good w/ technology. she doesn't have any balance issues. its just like i said. like a fly landing on your head or a bug in your ear. the house is quiet and they have a huge cage for their size. i guess i should call the vet for a appmt. to be on the safe side. thanks folks! ill let you know what she finds.

oh and theres no hissing or gestures. i don't think her aggression is connected to her head shaking. when you talk to her or put your hand near her, the head shaking stops. more i think about it the more i think its medical.

thunderwings said:

.... more i think about it the more i think its medical.

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I believe then it's high time you get her to an avian vet ASAP.

yep i think so too. not easy to get a appmt. with her as she's the only bird vet in the county. i live in the sticks so it may take awhile. the closest pet store is 150 miles away! ill keep you all posted on what she says. thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. I'm not that great w/ computers or finding things online. would have taken me awhile and meantime my bird may be suffering!

That's what's so great about forums like these yes, from the added description it sounds more medical than behavioral, but I would think it very well COULD be connected to the aggression; as in causing it. Especially if she is being kept awake by these shakes at night. If that is the case she could be suffering from extreme sleep deprivation which can be deadly no matter what is causing it. I highly suggest making the drive to apwhatever again vet can get to you ASAP.

Just another opinion here, but have you noticed her doing this when there's a certain sound or when you talk?

Back when I got Kaila, I would 'baby talk' to her in a high pitched voice and much like your bird, she was often shaking her head. In the year I've had her, I've noticed that she only does that when she hears something she dislikes (for exemple, me speaking in a higher pitch).

However, if you think it's medical then yeah, you should go to a vet =S

Kiryon said:

Just another opinion here, but have you noticed her doing this when there's a certain sound or when you talk?

Back when I got Kaila, I would 'baby talk' to her in a high pitched voice and much like your bird, she was often shaking her head. In the year I've had her, I've noticed that she only does that when she hears something she dislikes (for exemple, me speaking in a higher pitch).

However, if you think it's medical then yeah, you should go to a vet =S

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I've noticed that when i talk loud or theres loud noises she does it . when the dogs get barking she'll do it. when its quiet she doesn't do it. the vet checked her and said she's perfectly healthy. I've got a loud voice so I'm going to have to tone down some. i noticed another thing. she paces her perch often and theres no one around her other than her mate. what would cause her to do this? nervousness? its quiet most of the time in here.