sick cockatiel

[carl7763]

I have a Cockatiel whom I got from my Dad when he died. Sam is about 6-8 years old and for the last 2 years has been bringing up his food then reeating some of it. He does this behind his cage[ I have been told that he is a he] by putting his head underneath his left wing and while holding his foot in his mouth brings up his food. It does not seem to matter what he eats ,and he will scream until I give him something like lettuce, celery etc, or if I do not move his cage away from the wall so that he can get down behind it, This has now happened once last year , but he has started doing it again for the second time this year.The other times I have taken him too 2 different vets , but get the same answer, that it may be some sort of mating behaviour, but I get the feeling that is a guess. Apart from following me about more than normal and the ,need for food, he is not showing any sign of being ill , he has lost no weight,no feathers, and seems as bright as always. The main thing I would like help with is A) is this normal B) Do I try to stop it somehow C) Should I let him get on with it, as it the long term it seems not to be a problem. Sorry if my request is a bit long winded , but I would really like some help. Thanks

[Lisa B]

I have to agree with the vets. It is a mating thing. he appears to be feeding his foot and looking for a place to nest. my males have done this in the past also...there is no way to really stop it since its nature, but this will pass......and come again from time to time...
Sorry this is short,,,but I am at work

[carl7763]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

I have to agree with the vets. It is a mating thing. he appears to be feeding his foot and looking for a place to nest. my males have done this in the past also...there is no way to really stop it since its nature, but this will pass......and come again from time to time...
Sorry this is short,,,but I am at work

Thank for your help

[The Outlaw]

I also agree with your vet. I know of a woman who has a big BG male that regularly regurgitates under his wing. Its so bad that it causes the feathers on his wing to disintegrate. It's disgusting, but they do all kinds of weird mating stuff.

[Quito's Qage]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

I also agree with your vet. I know of a woman who has a big BG male that regularly regurgitates under his wing. Its so bad that it causes the feathers on his wing to disintegrate. It's disgusting, but they do all kinds of weird mating stuff.

But then again, so do we!

[The Outlaw]

Nate:

How true

[birdsnthings]

A friend of mine has a Nanday that puts her food under her wing......
She just gets cleaned up.
Alice