We will be caring for a senior cockatiel for a few months over the winter. Weve never had a problem in the past when we have watched him, but it's good to be aware this can happen and the best way to deal with it. Thanks for the great advice!
The bird store we got our boys from gave us a tip to play thunderstorm sounds at night so they get used to sudden noises. She said her birds have no issues with fireworks or hail at night because of this. And of course my cockatiel also has his little chicken nightlight too 😁 🐥
We just had a night fright with our cockatiel - she had to go to the vet - she lost all her tail feathers and there were a lot of flight feathers out too - blood smeared everywhere- terrifying! We had no idea 💔 she is on antibiotics and pain medicine. For 2 weeks - she beat herself up pretty bad! We have a sound machine, a night light - not sure what set her off - definitely going to do the monitor.
Night frights for me mostly occur with my budgies but a couple nights ago I had a major night fright everyone was going crazy, for all the night frights I had, no injuries so far. but I'm also extremely quick to calm them down I'm talking like 10 to 20 seconds, But I do live in the same room with them so they'll sometimes get spooked when I shift in the bed but since I'm so close I can quickly calm them down.
@@TheParrotTeacher Ok very good! As a follow up, would using an 18 inch square cage (18 inches tall and wide) be good for a sleep cage? With a single rope perch and a pair of food bowls (one for food, the other for water in case he gets hungry or thirsty at night)? My thinking is a small cage will decrease chance of injury
I'm a bit at a loss here: We do cover up the cage partially, but it's never completely dark. I'm usually up fairly late, and while I have been sitting completely still in my chair, both of my cockatiels occasionally freak out and keep trashing about. I then give them more light from the nightlight by the cage by lifting the blanket partially, but they are still in hyper-alert mode for a while. There has never been any ass-blasts, they just seem super alarmed. This happens maybe once a month. What could I do to improve the situation?
Honestly itd require a bit of digging and more personal a reply than generic advice sadly! One thing would be try to work out exactly what seems to be triggering them and work on that! Recording may help!
@@TheParrotTeacher I think I figured it out... It's occasional distant sneezing. I can be in a completely different room, but as soon as they hear even a faint sound of a sneeze, they go frantic. No idea why they don't react the same way about sneezing, coughing or other loud noises in the same room, it's sneezing in another room that sets them off in particular. My feathered babies are very strange.
My cockatiel lost a nail yesterday because it got stuck and he still flew. I used corn starch and he seems fine now. Should I get something to rinse it from the pharmacy or is water ok?
@@TheParrotTeacher thanks, the bleeding stopped fast with corn starch and I got saline from the pharmacy. It looks quite good. He is back to his own cheeky self already 😊 thanks for the advice. Just in case I got the name of an avian vet not too far away.
100% on the complete darkness being an issue. I always have a low level of light on for them at night and its really helped
Complete darkness isnt natural either! Some light is always good!
I always leave a little night light on in my bird room. That has definitely helped a lot.
Great idea! They are so useful!
We will be caring for a senior cockatiel for a few months over the winter. Weve never had a problem in the past when we have watched him, but it's good to be aware this can happen and the best way to deal with it. Thanks for the great advice!
Hope it all goes well!
The bird store we got our boys from gave us a tip to play thunderstorm sounds at night so they get used to sudden noises. She said her birds have no issues with fireworks or hail at night because of this. And of course my cockatiel also has his little chicken nightlight too 😁 🐥
Its a great thing to do! Lots of people use those sounds! As well as rainforest etc!
We just had a night fright with our cockatiel - she had to go to the vet - she lost all her tail feathers and there were a lot of flight feathers out too - blood smeared everywhere- terrifying! We had no idea 💔 she is on antibiotics and pain medicine. For 2 weeks - she beat herself up pretty bad! We have a sound machine, a night light - not sure what set her off - definitely going to do the monitor.
Sorry you experienced that and I hope she feels better! They can be really stressful and serious!
Night frights for me mostly occur with my budgies but a couple nights ago I had a major night fright everyone was going crazy, for all the night frights I had, no injuries so far. but I'm also extremely quick to calm them down I'm talking like 10 to 20 seconds, But I do live in the same room with them so they'll sometimes get spooked when I shift in the bed but since I'm so close I can quickly calm them down.
Sounds like youre pretty on the ball when dealing with them!
I just read today about how birds are capable of sleeping with one eye open. How's that for multi tasking?
They can even turn off parts of their brain! Very smart beasts!
I plan on getting a cockatiel within the next month will my computer monitor or tv be too bright for them to sleep at night
Potentially! Depends on how close it is and how it shines! Sound could also be an issue unless you use headphones!
@@TheParrotTeacher my monitor is kind of in my closet and i use headphones all the time as i play semi-competitively
Is there a risk of cockatiels faking night frights to get attention? I know some African Greys will do this
Nope! Youll know, its usually pure terror!
@@TheParrotTeacher Ok very good! As a follow up, would using an 18 inch square cage (18 inches tall and wide) be good for a sleep cage? With a single rope perch and a pair of food bowls (one for food, the other for water in case he gets hungry or thirsty at night)? My thinking is a small cage will decrease chance of injury
I'm a bit at a loss here: We do cover up the cage partially, but it's never completely dark. I'm usually up fairly late, and while I have been sitting completely still in my chair, both of my cockatiels occasionally freak out and keep trashing about. I then give them more light from the nightlight by the cage by lifting the blanket partially, but they are still in hyper-alert mode for a while. There has never been any ass-blasts, they just seem super alarmed. This happens maybe once a month. What could I do to improve the situation?
Honestly itd require a bit of digging and more personal a reply than generic advice sadly!
One thing would be try to work out exactly what seems to be triggering them and work on that! Recording may help!
@@TheParrotTeacher I think I figured it out... It's occasional distant sneezing. I can be in a completely different room, but as soon as they hear even a faint sound of a sneeze, they go frantic. No idea why they don't react the same way about sneezing, coughing or other loud noises in the same room, it's sneezing in another room that sets them off in particular. My feathered babies are very strange.
My cockatiel lost a nail yesterday because it got stuck and he still flew. I used corn starch and he seems fine now. Should I get something to rinse it from the pharmacy or is water ok?
Saline is best to rinse. If it seems ok and doesnt keep bleeding first aid is enough. Keep an eye in case a vet visit is needed though.
@@TheParrotTeacher thanks, the bleeding stopped fast with corn starch and I got saline from the pharmacy. It looks quite good. He is back to his own cheeky self already 😊 thanks for the advice. Just in case I got the name of an avian vet not too far away.