Cockatiel sigh?

[Bobbytheborb]

Hello. I recently bought Archimedes, my 2 month old cockatiel on September 3rd. Whenever I approach him he seems to make this sort of huff or sigh. Is this normal. Also, I have a cage that is 31 x 20 x 53. How often do I have to change the bottom liner?

 

[noodles123]

Have you taken your bird to a certified avian vet (CAV)? I haven't had cockatiels, but the "sigh" could be a respiratory issue (if you haven't had it checked). I change bottom liner daily-- sometimes 2x...helps me monitor poop etc.

 

[condobirds]

It is more of a hiss?? that is typical of a cockatiel. Once the bird is comfortable with you, through handling and other interactions, the hissing should stop. It is just a defensive action to keep you away.

Yes, have the bird checked by an avian vet. Always a good practice.

I change paper, water and food daily.

 

[Laurasea]

Hi and welcome. Lots for new owners to learn. Check out food and nutrition, bonding with your parrot, household safety, Teflon coated and non stick pans are deadly, the gasses they release will kill your bird. I only clean with dilute vinegar and water, then will it off with water. I also change out the bottom if the cage daily or more. Mold and yeast and bacteria build up quick in spikt food and droppings and can make your bird sick or draw in bugs. Get your parrot eating veggies, and pellets and healthy seed mix. Congratulations in your new family member. Read up , read ikd posts, you can pick up a lot if gems that way.

 

[reeb]

Cockatiels have a classic hiss. Berry often hisses at my budgies if they bother her! It isn't a sign of too much aggression, but since your 'tiel is in a brand new place, he is probably just a little weary of you!

It's still good to go for a vet check-up with an avian vet!

 

[itzjbean]

Sounds like your bid is hissing! It's common for cockatiels to do this when they are either frightened or defending their territory. He's telling you to back off. Do you know the background of this baby, if it was hand fed by a reputable breeder? Some babies will be scared in their new environment and will display hissing as a way of defending themselves.

Make sure only good things happen when you are around. Move and talk softly and calmly, and make your intentions clear when you go near the cage and say hello. Change the bottom papers once a week. What are you feeding him/her? We would love to see pictures.

 

[EllenD]

Yep, that's a regular Cockatiel "hiss", which means he's telling you to back-off, or that he doesn't like what you're doing. He's new to your home, so it may just take time for him to feel comfortable with you; however, if he's not a hand-tamed/hand-raised bird but rather a parent-raised bird that is was no hand-tamed, then it's normal for him to "hiss" at you, as he's not used to being close with people or being at all handled. So if that's the case and he's not a tame bird, then it's a matter of you working with him every day, spending time with him every day, and doing hand-taming exercises with him every day so that he'll eventually want to be close to you, step-up for you, etc. But the "huffing" noise is completely normal for a Cockatiel who is new and not yet comfortable/settled-in.

As far as changing the "liners" in the bottom of your bird's cage, you need to change them every single day...Because they need to be changed every day, you're much better-off not actually buying "liners" at a pet shop/Walmart, but rather just using newspaper, you'll save a fortune. I've always used newspaper, and I simply stop into the convenience store on the way home and grab a big stack of the free-newspapers, like the "Bargain" newspapers, the AutoTraders, etc., as they are an infinite supply of free cage liners. But yes, they need to be changed every single day, right along with the food and water.

 

[noodles123]

Yep, that's a regular Cockatiel "hiss", which means he's telling you to back-off, or that he doesn't like what you're doing. He's new to your home, so it may just take time for him to feel comfortable with you; however, if he's not a hand-tamed/hand-raised bird but rather a parent-raised bird that is was no hand-tamed, then it's normal for him to "hiss" at you, as he's not used to being close with people or being at all handled. So if that's the case and he's not a tame bird, then it's a matter of you working with him every day, spending time with him every day, and doing hand-taming exercises with him every day so that he'll eventually want to be close to you, step-up for you, etc. But the "huffing" noise is completely normal for a Cockatiel who is new and not yet comfortable/settled-in.

As far as changing the "liners" in the bottom of your bird's cage, you need to change them every single day...Because they need to be changed every day, you're much better-off not actually buying "liners" at a pet shop/Walmart, but rather just using newspaper, you'll save a fortune. I've always used newspaper, and I simply stop into the convenience store on the way home and grab a big stack of the free-newspapers, like the "Bargain" newspapers, the AutoTraders, etc., as they are an infinite supply of free cage liners. But yes, they need to be changed every single day, right along with the food and water.

I use double layered paper towels (just regular white ones, no added color, no special scrubbing varieties)

 

[Terry57]

It also sounds like a cockatiel hiss to me. I also use newspapers in my cage bottoms and change every day.

 

[Florysfeatheredfriends]

Absolutely a cockatiel hiss. I have 5 right now, and they do hiss at times. Nothing abnormal there. He will get used to you, give him time.