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Birds--General/Male Cockatiel Abnormal Behavior

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Expert: - 10/27/2007


Question
I have a 3 year old cockatiel that I have raised from three months old. I believe he is a male because he has never laid an egg. The vet also said she thinks he is a male by his behavior. He recently chewed one of his wooden toys and two marble size beads fell off to the bottom of his cage. The past month he has been sitting on them like a hen and will lunge out to attack even when I change his food or go near his cage. If I let him, he will stay in the corner on the beads the whole day unless he eats or drinks. He mostly tries to sleep when he is sitting on them. I always had him out of the cage for 2-4 hours since I brought him home, now he doesn't want to come out of his cage. I am wondering if I should take the beads out or will this upset him? If he is a male why does he want to sit on beads like they're eggs? I never knew males have nesting behavior.
I appreciate your time, thank you.

Answer
Hi, Rachel,

I would say this bird is a female.  However, males do share in the parenting duties of incubation (males sit during the day; females at night), so your bird could be a male I guess.  The bird is being nasty as a means of protecting his/her "eggs."  This is perfectly normal.  Just let her/him sit on them until s/he abandons them on his/her own.  It will most likely upset the bird if you remove them.  The bird will eventually realize they aren't going to hatch and abandon them.  Then you can remove the beads!

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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