I could really use some advice on what to think of my cocktiel's behavior. I adopted Barry (my 'tiel) from a neglectful situation when he was about 12. I've now had him for about 2 years and he's made great strides. He was a feather-plucker all along, though, no matter what I did.
I'd always wanted a QP and I thought that getting one now would benefit not only me (yay! new friend!) but him as well. However, since I've had my QP Ollie (about 2 weeks), Barry's behavior has changed dramatically. He now spends all day sitting in the corner of his cage, facing the wall, with his feathers puffed up. He's been to the vet and is technically healthy (nothing that needs to be treated), but I'm just so worried about my little guy! I try to take him out and give him lots of love and attention but he just bites and fights to get back to his cage. It's like he can't stand me now!
Any advice! I'm so worried about my little man!
Full Version: Major Change In 'tiel's Behavior
Sorry your cockatiel is behaving strangely 
Barry sounds like he is upset about the new quaker...spend time with him away him view of the new addition and work on maintaining your bond...I'm sure he'll come around in no time!
I'm sure others will be along shrotly to add their advice
Barry sounds like he is upset about the new quaker...spend time with him away him view of the new addition and work on maintaining your bond...I'm sure he'll come around in no time!
I'm sure others will be along shrotly to add their advice
Did you quarantine your quaker from your Teil? When was the last time your Teil or quaker were seen by a Vet? Just some ideas to toss around here.
I do know what is going on here ... He was probably abused his last home or few homes but then he finds someone like you to befriend him and he is happy again , but now after 2 years he is once again in his eyes he feels neglected and or abanded, because you got another bird your tiel loved you but there is an intruder in your house , it is the quaker... sorry but that exact same thing happened to me long time ago ... Im so sorry this happened to you and to your little guy your little guy . This is my opinion but also my first hand experience ... you spent 2 years getting your little guy to trust you, he does then the trust is lost by jealousy by getting another bird .....Our little Fids do have feelings ...
I'm assuming that the Quaker and Cockatiel are caged separately. How close are their cages to one another? Are you spending just as much time with the Cockatiel as you were before you brought the Quaker in? Do you go to your Cockatiel first when it comes to feeding/water/saying good morning?
I think Carrie is headed in the right direction...Make sure that you are showing your cockatiel that he is the Alpha bird, or top bird...He should be first for everything. He should be getting the most attention, but don't over do it...try to spend the same amount of quality time with him as you did before the quaker came.
When you play with the quaker I would recommend that at least for now you take him out of the cockatiels sight while doing so, so it doesn't promote more jealousy.
It could very well be that the body language the quaker puts off could be intimidating to a cockatiel and that has him worried. So you might also try putting the quaker in an area where the cockatiel can't see him as well.
It does sound like your cockatiel is mad at you because he's turning his back on you...its showing that he doesn't respect you and his feelings are hurt. Give him time...and show him the top bird respect that he should have since he was first in coming to your home.
Eventually, things should even out and he'll come back around to being your buddy, hopefully.
Stop and think about the situation and put it into human terms...you have a two year old child and all at once you bring a baby home with out preparing the older one for it...you fawn over the baby and don't give your undivided attention to the 2 year old any more...What happens?? The two year old gets jealous...pouts for a while and then will probably act out to get attention because even negative attention is better than no attention in their eyes but eventually things even out and all is well with the world. The birds will probably not be buddies but will be able to tolerate each other in supervised conditions.
There's more things you can try but the ones previously mentioned should help.
Let the cockatiel out of his cage first and longest...put the quaker back before you put the cockatiel away when they have out of cage time... Even if the cockatiel has been out of his cage for longer time, if you put him away first that's showing that he's lower rank (IMO) than the quaker. You want him to feel that you still regard him as your Top Bird, your main squeeze
Good luck...
When you play with the quaker I would recommend that at least for now you take him out of the cockatiels sight while doing so, so it doesn't promote more jealousy.
It could very well be that the body language the quaker puts off could be intimidating to a cockatiel and that has him worried. So you might also try putting the quaker in an area where the cockatiel can't see him as well.
It does sound like your cockatiel is mad at you because he's turning his back on you...its showing that he doesn't respect you and his feelings are hurt. Give him time...and show him the top bird respect that he should have since he was first in coming to your home.
Eventually, things should even out and he'll come back around to being your buddy, hopefully.
Stop and think about the situation and put it into human terms...you have a two year old child and all at once you bring a baby home with out preparing the older one for it...you fawn over the baby and don't give your undivided attention to the 2 year old any more...What happens?? The two year old gets jealous...pouts for a while and then will probably act out to get attention because even negative attention is better than no attention in their eyes but eventually things even out and all is well with the world. The birds will probably not be buddies but will be able to tolerate each other in supervised conditions.
There's more things you can try but the ones previously mentioned should help.
Let the cockatiel out of his cage first and longest...put the quaker back before you put the cockatiel away when they have out of cage time... Even if the cockatiel has been out of his cage for longer time, if you put him away first that's showing that he's lower rank (IMO) than the quaker. You want him to feel that you still regard him as your Top Bird, your main squeeze
Good luck...
Thans for the advice everyone! I'll try to answer the questions that were posed...
The two cages are in the same room but about 6 feet apart with the cockatiel's cage set up a bit higher than the QP's.
I have been trying to give my 'tiel as much attention as before but he just keeps running away from me or attacking me. I try to force it for a few minutes and hten usually start worrying that I'm angering him by doing so.
The 'tiel comes first in everything (feeding time, coming out, etc.) I talk to him first when I get home, even.
They have both been seen by a vet, the 'tiel both before and after the QP's
The two cages are in the same room but about 6 feet apart with the cockatiel's cage set up a bit higher than the QP's.
I have been trying to give my 'tiel as much attention as before but he just keeps running away from me or attacking me. I try to force it for a few minutes and hten usually start worrying that I'm angering him by doing so.
The 'tiel comes first in everything (feeding time, coming out, etc.) I talk to him first when I get home, even.
They have both been seen by a vet, the 'tiel both before and after the QP's
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