Shaking Head.

[NeSs]

Since i baught my tiel(5 years ago) i've noticed that every single time i talk or whistle he will shake his head, like it bothers him. I thought all tiels did this up untill the other day i was at the pet shop and their was baby tiels, i started to whistle and noticed that they didn't shake there heads.

So i was curious to know if your tiels do the same thing? Or if shaking their heads means something?

[Monica]

I noticed that with Casey she does it if she's up close to me and I talk to her. She doesn't always do it, though from what I understand tiels have sensitive ears, or so I read... Can't really say for sure.

[Yellow]

Yes same with mine. If I talk too closely or too loudly to them they shake their heads but a strange thing is the words he is used to(his name for example) he doesnt shake his head. Maybe it is a new sound to them which makes them shake their heads?

[NeSs]

Well i'm glad to know it happens 2 other tiels. Got kinda worried thinking maybe i had a deaf bird on my hands or something.

[Yellow]

No actually 4 more tiels. (I had 2 tiels but one flew away and one is a long story) and they also both shook their head..
And the tiel ive got right now also shakes.....

[FeatherLover]

I know if some animals shake thier heads like that, it can be an indicator of an ear or sinus infection. I'm not sure if that is true for birds or not.

[Monica]

Megan, you are right that head shaking or scratching at the ear a lot (another indicator) can be a sign of an ear infection... However tiels are known for shaking their heads when someone talks to them.

[AmandaB]

I've had two tiels that shook their heads when talked to. They were both from an abusive home and were flicked on the beak often. I always thought they developed nervous ticks from the abuse. I guess that's not exactly the case. My other two don't do it at all, so I guess it depends on the tiel's individual sensitivity??

[Tiki]

My Tiels occasionally shake their heads when I talk to them up close. It seems to be spordic, they don't all do it every time.

[Yellow]

hmm strange. My tiel doesnt shake his head anymore. It used to before and when I speak loudly to him it doesnt even take notice..
Still remains a mystery for me..