Male cockatiel displaying new behavior

[Impeckable]

Hi all! It's been a while since I've been on here, but I'm back looking for a bit of advice (thank you in advance!).

My avian child's about 1.5 years old, healthy, energetic, and on a varied diet. He seems to be getting a bit more hormonal than usual and my slippers have been the unfortunate target of his "'butt-wiggles" more times than I care to admit

What's caught my attention recently is this new behavior he seems to be doing: he'll trot across the floor and stop to rapidly peck at a specific spot, bobbing his head up and down as he does, then he moves on and repeats the same thing somewhere else. It's quick, repetitive pecking - almost like it's purposeful? It seems to only happen on my carpeted floor from what I can tell; I haven't seen him do it on my tiles. He's eating and drinking normally and he does adjust his crop occasionally, but no more than usual. I'm wondering if this is just more hormonal behavior or if it could be something else I should look into.

Thanks so much!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It sounds like normal male cockatiel behavior to me. Probably hormone driven but for the most part there isn't much you can do about it or that you should do about it. Our captive birds are going to be hormonal to some extent despite any efforts to discourage it. Don't give him dark places to investigate, hide in, and become territorial over.
You're lucky hes a male so you won't have to deal with chronic egg laying. At worst he may get possessive of his cage and toys, maybe nipping if you try to take twowhat's "his", or he may focus his sexual energy on you or a household member. You may be embarrassed when he "butt-wiggles" in front of visitors but most people understand.

 

[Impeckable]

It sounds like normal male cockatiel behavior to me. Probably hormone driven but for the most part there isn't much you can do about it or that you should do about it. Our captive birds are going to be hormonal to some extent despite any efforts to discourage it. Don't give him dark places to investigate, hide in, and become territorial over.
You're lucky hes a male so you won't have to deal with chronic egg laying. At worst he may get possessive of his cage and toys, maybe nipping if you try to take twowhat's "his", or he may focus his sexual energy on you or a household member. You may be embarrassed when he "butt-wiggles" in front of visitors but most people understand.

Thanks for this, that's helpful to know. I had no idea the females get chronic egg laying!