Cockatiels are very friendly, that’s why you know about their behavior. If you spend time with your cutie pie, you will observe that they will start puffing up due to many reasons. Puffing up means extension of their chest feathers and looks more larger and bulky.
Puffing up varies in meaning. It relies on various situations that your bird is facing. Every parrot including cockatiel species have their own ability to tackle different situations. Some cockatiels puff up their wings more frequently as compared to others.
In parrot psychology textbooks, a lot of detail on emotion and behavior of cockatiels. It also covers puffing of cockatiels in vast prospective.
In this article, I will tell you:
- Fun facts about cockatiels
- Why do cockatiels puff up? 7 reasons
- Frequently asked questions
Let’s start without wasting time!
Fun Facts About Cockatiels
As a cockatiel owner, here I will tell you some unique fun facts about puffing up of cockatiels.
Keep Hovering!
- Puffing up is the natural way to manage body heat of cockatiels.
- When they are insecure, they puff up to become larger.
- When they are relax, they also show signs of puffing up to say their relaxation.
- When the cockatiel is ill or suffering from lethargy, then they start puffing up.
- Puffing up is the sign to express body language and mood swings of cockatiels.
Why Do Cockatiels Puff Up? 7 Reasons!
When cockatiel puffs up their feathers, it shows that something is wrong with them. There are different reasons that leads to puffing of feathers in cockatiels. As a cockatiel owner for 8 years, here, I will tell you some pro reasons for why cockatiels puff up.
Temperature Variations
Cockatiels puff up their wings to trap warm air. It occurs when cockatiels want to get warmer and suffer from cold. As a cockatiel owner, you should know various methods to keep your bird warm. Cockatiels are bless with insulating feathers that helps them in keeping warm.
In cold temperature, when cockatiel start puffing up their wings. They absorb air in their feathers and this air warm up from cockatiels body heat and enables them to stay warm. It is advisable to keep cockatiels away from the those places that are cold. Due to excessive cold, many health issues started in it.
Sleeping
Many cockatiels puff up their wings to keep them warm, when they are sleeping. Sleep and rest are important for birds, like humans and animals to keep them healthy, active and happy. Perches are more suitable for cockatiels to sleep in cage.
When cockatiels are sleeping, they puff up and tuck their head. Puffing up also indicates that your cockatiel suffers from lethargy and excess sleep. As a cockatiel owner for 8 years, you should provide a quiet and peaceful environment to your bird for sleep. Avoid making noise near the place where your cockatiel is sleeping.
Fear and Terror
Like other birds, cockatiels make themselves larger, when they are facing terror. They show this behavior to protect themselves from their enemies. They start puffing up their feathers, when they feel insecure. For the first time, when the owner comes close to the cockatiel, they start to puff up their feathers. Because they are being threatened by their owner.
It’s a sign that indicates that they are feeling stressed. They want to make themselves look larger to avoid all the potential risks. If your parrot is puffing up, when you come close to it, it is better to train your parrot. Puffing up doesn’t say that your parrot starts biting you. It is not harmful. In the start, it means to tame your bird through interaction.
Any bird showing the sign of fear indicates any health issue or the bird gets injured. If your parrot shows this behavior, then it means that it suffers from any serious health issue. In this case, you should immediately take your cockatiel to the veterinary doctor.
Calmness
One of the most important reasons for puffing up cocktail wings is calmness. Cockatiels show signs of calmness by puffing their feathers, lowering their head etc. They also puff up their wings when they are happy. Keeping a vigilant eye on your bird will help you in knowing what your parrot likes.
As an owner, you should use appreciating words while communicating with your friend. This makes your cockatiel safe in any new environment. You should keep in mind that puffing feathers does not mean that your bird is happy. Sometimes puffing up shows stress, illness, threat etc.
Mating
Considered as the social parrot species and have very difficult mating behavior. Male cockatiels puff up their feathers to show their courting. They also puff up their wings, when they are singing and bobbing. You can know the behavior of male cockatiels. Because they are famous for their exciting and dramatic behavior. Male cockatiels usually suspend their feathers.
As a cockatiel owner, it is better only to breed cockatiels when you have experience. If you place male and female cockatiels in one cage, then you should know their behavior of courting.
Feeling Ill
Cockatiels usually puff up their wings when they are ill and getting cold. If cockatiel is suffering from illness, then it starts puffing up their wings. There are many signs of bird illness like lethargy, tail bobbing etc.
When a cockatiel is suffering from joint pains etc they also start puffing up their wings. It states illness. As a cockatiel owner, you should keep an eye on your cockatiel to prevent illness.
Protection System
Cockatiels when they feel threatened or terror, they start puffing up their wings. When they puff up their wings, their size increases. In this way, they protect themselves from the threat by showing bigger.
The behavior they show in preventing themselves is also known as fluffing. This behavior shows their predators that they are larger species and cannot handled. This behavior is the sign of warning for other cockatiels to stay alert and keep their territory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Do Cockatiels Puff Up and Grind Beak?
Cockatiels puff up as a way to regulate body temperature, express relaxation and ready for sleep. When they feel cold, they puff up to trap warm air. They don’t keep themselves insulated. A puffed-up cockatiel are signal contentment, if it is paired with beak grinding. It is a common symbol of relaxation. If a cockatiel fluffed up for long time, then it appears lethargic. It is a sign of illness.
What Does It Mean When A Cockatiel Hair Stands Up?
A cockatiel’s crest is a key showing its emotions. When it stands up, it means that cockatiel is alert and excited. If the crest is straight with quick movements, then the cockatiel might startled about surroundings. A slightly raised crest can indicate mild interest or attentiveness, like when it hears a new sound.
Conclusion
There are many reasons for which cockatiel species puff up their wings. Like they puff up their feathers when they are threaten or when they are ill. Puffing up is the sign for those problems which they cannot deal with. Usually, cockatiels puff up their feathers, when they have something wrong or bad.
By taking proper care of your cockatiel, all these issues can resolved. As an owner, you should spend enough time with your cockatiel friend to know their behavior. To avoid all these issues.
If you have any query, text me in the comment box, I will reply to you soon. Thanks for reading!
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I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!