Need help with weird cockatiels

[Seantheparront]

I got a cockatiel from a breeder a few weeks ago, put him (actually a her) in his own cage and he quickly got used to his new home and is very happy here, but I noticed he doesn’t really sit on perches but rather he perches onto of his food or water dishes or toys and sits on the bottom of his cage, I thought ok he’s a weird bird he’s just a baby four months old I’m sure it’s nothing, but yesterday I got a new cockatiel, both white faced, who admittedly does have some medical issues and is at least five years old and he (actually a male) does the same thing and I’m confused? Is this a normal thing or could they not have been taught to perch on perches? There’s a treat next to one of the perches to encourage them but idk.

 

[Tami2]

Hello Seantheparront & Welcome to the PFs.

Very happy you decided to join us.

I would ask the breeder. My guess is maybe there weren't any perches in her original set up? I know some babies are too young and unsteady to perch and do need not only exposure to a low perch, but also encouragement/training. But a cockatiel at 4 months, it doesn't seem to be her age, I could be wrong. Also, it may just be her preference? Some birds just prefer a different hang out.

Have you taken her to your Avian Vet for a 'Clean Bill of Health' check up? The Vet would certainly provide some definitive answers to all of your concerns.

Good Luck, keep us posted and please share photos of your flock.

 

[texsize]

Out of my 8 Cockatiels 3 like to perch on there food containers.
Not to say that they don’t sit on regular perches but 2 male and 1 female spend alot of time sitting and sleeping on the food containers.

Birds can be strange sometimes.

 

[Seantheparront]

Hello Seantheparront & Welcome to the PFs.

Very happy you decided to join us.

I would ask the breeder. My guess is maybe there weren't any perches in her original set up? I know some babies are too young and unsteady to perch and do need not only exposure to a low perch, but also encouragement/training. But a cockatiel at 4 months, it doesn't seem to be her age, I could be wrong. Also, it may just be her preference? Some birds just prefer a different hang out.

Have you taken her to your Avian Vet for a 'Clean Bill of Health' check up? The Vet would certainly provide some definitive answers to all of your concerns.

Good Luck, keep us posted and please share photos of your flock.

I’m saving up to take all three of my birds to the vet for check ups thank you for the help

 

[Seantheparront]

Out of my 8 Cockatiels 3 like to perch on there food containers.
Not to say that they don’t sit on regular perches but 2 male and 1 female spend alot of time sitting and sleeping on the food containers.

Birds can be strange sometimes.

Very true my first bird, an old cockatoo, was a very strange bird, thank you!

 

[itzjbean]

Make sure you have a variety of perches available in your cage -- soft rope perches, natural wood ones, cement one for keeping their nails trim, etc. I even have a piece of wood made into a perch that my cockatiel likes to hang out on and chew up.

 

[Aves99]

One of my 'tiels likes to perch on toys and will also sit on the bottom of the cage for a bit. He does perch on his perches, too, though.

 

[LaManuka]

Not at all unusual. My boy Fang will perch on his food and/or water dishes and happily poop in them as well. My hubby says he perches on his water bowl because he enjoys the cool breeze off the water circulating around his bum. Can i say “bum” on this forum... oops I just said it again...!