Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/27/2008

Question
Hi, I have a gray cockatiel, whom is about 11 months old. Whenever we spray water on him from a spray bottle, or puff at him with the "Pf pf" noise, he likes to puff out his body and hide his head under one of his wings. I'm not sure if he doesn't like it or maybe he wants to get his whole body wet. ?

Oh, and one more quick thing, was that he likes to eat his fecal matter , is that normal, or is he missing something in his diet?

Thanks a lot for your time!

-Jaslyn

Answer
Hi, Jaslyn,

I have a couple of tiels that do the same thing!  The puffing out might be his way of trying to make himself look bigger or he is reacting to being sprayed.  I don't know why they hide their heads under a wing....mine also sing at the same time they do this.  Sometimes it's a reaction to me talking to them.  Some birds spread their wings when they are sprayed...this means they like the water.  They are trying to get all their feathers wet.  If your bird likes water, try giving him a bowl of water so he can take a bath himself (use warm water).  

When they eat their droppings, they have some type of vitamin/mineral deficiency.  There is a medical name for this, but it eludes me at the moment.  Google "parrots eating droppings" to find websites that explain what is going on.  If your bird is on an all-seed diet, this is most likely why.  Seed is high in fat and low in nutritional value.  Introduce a variety of foods to your bird, including pelleted food.  Pellets have vitamins/minerals birds need baked right in them.  My birds liked cooked brown rice with veggies, etc., mixed in.  Visit my website for more info:  www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html.  www.birdchannel.com is also a good website.

Chrys