New baby questions

[cmmoor]

Hello! I am a proud new parent of a baby cockatiel. I was wondering somethings about my bird's (Piper) behavior. Piper is a very tame baby who was hand fed and loves to be out of the cage. When I open the door and say come she jumps to my finger. She seems to enjoy listening to me talk. I've only had Piper for 4 days and yesterday Piper started clicking its mandibles together and lifting one leg. Piper does this sitting on my finger and on her outside perch. I have read that this can be defensive or possessive. Anyone have experience with this? Is Piper being aggressive or possessive of me?

Piper also shakes its head quite often.

Thanks!

 

[Lullx]

Congratulations on your baby! Cockatiels are so wonderful, especially when they're young like that.

That sounds mostly like she's happy! Birds grind their beaks when they're content, and my tiel will regularly sleep on my hand or shoulder.

Piper is just getting cozy with you

Tiels hiss and lunge when they're being defensive or possessive. I sometimes scare my tiel Lucy and she'll hiss and peck at me once before realizing it's me, then she waddles over and plops her head down on my hand so I can pet her.

 

[sunblaze]

nothing to worry about =) just a baby bird making it's "happy noise"

 

[Allee]

Congratulations! Piper sounds like a real sweetheart. She's obviously accepted you and feels safe.

 

[miloslave]

Yes, that is definitely relaxation behavior. Resting one foot, happy beak grinding, getting sleepy now.......

 

[Puck]

Hahaha yeah Sammy does that too. He'll also fluff his feathers up, let his eyes partially close and eye me, with that sweet expression that clearly reads "And now is the time that you stop what you are doing, minion, and give me scritches like the royalty I am."