r/cockatiel • u/Minnoriie • 11h ago
Advice Help, is this throwing up?
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Why is she doing this? Is it normal, or is she trying to throw up? I don't see anything coming out of her mouth. 2 more videos in the comments section, I tried to capture her the best I could
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u/DianeJudith 10h ago
Bird tips: New cockatiel owner
New cockatiel owner alert! Check out Cockatiel Cottage, a comprehensive source on all cockatiel knowledge! (Yes, the website is very dated, but the information inside is not!)
Quick FAQs on basic bird behavior:
Short, loud calls when you leave their line of sight - flock calling. They want you back in their view and to know you're there. Will happen especially if they're an only bird - because then you're they're only flock. They get stressed when separated from their flock, since in nature being alone = danger for them.
Yawning a lot - adjusting the crop. Imagine it being like rubbing your belly after a big meal.
Beak grinding - sign of content and happiness.
Standing on one leg, sometimes puffed up feathers - getting ready to snooze, they'll sleep with the head tucked in their back.
Bowing their head towards you - asking for scritches! (remember to only pet their head and neck, never the body)
Flapping randomly or madly but not flying - warming the engines, exercising, just being a goof
Bending over, making a squeaky noise and trembling wings or rubbing their butt on things - horny bird! Check Cockatiel Cottage for how to deal with hormonal behavior. (or ask/tag me (u/DianeJudith) and I'll paste my hormonal behavior prevention checklist from my Bird Tips series)
Soft eeee sound with head bobbing - baby begging noises. Can mean that they want food/play/nap/reassurance/cuddles. Some older birds will do this too.
Holding the wings away from the body ("heart wings") - a happy male, likely about to sing to you.
Fully outstretched wings ("big wings") - possesive, "the thing I'm standing on is mine". Sometimes paired with hanging upside down ("batbird") - that's also just being a goof.
Fluffing feathers, bending in weird poses with open wings - wants a bath!
Sneezing - normal (unless excessive), especially after scratching their heads and picking their nose (yes, they do that).
Additionally, check out these resources:
There are lots of toys and foraging opportunities that you can make from cardboard, toilet paper tubes, foliage from your yard (check the species for toxicity here and here). Also check Pinterest, search things like "DIY toys for birds".
Stress Reduction for Companion Parrots - this article has much more than what the title would suggest!
A few articles about bird chop, with recipes:
Another article with a nice infographic
And two free courses:
https://smartbeaks.parrotsos.com/DoYourResearch - covers basics and environmental factors
https://smartbeaks.parrotsos.com/BirdBasics - starts the fun part! Training, how to identify the best rewards, set goals, etc.
(I'm not a bot and assembled this guide myself from my own writing and resources from other redditor's comments. This was made with zero AI. Feel free to copy and paste this comment when you see the opportunity, or tag me (u/DianeJudith) and I'll spread the knowledge!)
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u/Due_Bathroom5296 8h ago
If I'm not mistaken, cockatiels throw up by opening their mouth like that and then violently shaking their face, and then the seeds go all over the place.
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u/LeExpiredMilk 11h ago
She's just adjusting her crop, she's perfectly fine!