Cockatiel Eating Wooden Perch

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Our cockatiel, Percy, has been gnawing on her wooden perches lately and it looks as if she's ingesting some of the wood. She is eating her seeds and pellets and we give her veggies and fruit as supplements. Also, she has a cuttlebone, which she uses. She appears healthy and is going to the bathroom with no problem. She seems happy and affectionate.

Is there a problem or is this normal behavior?

Thank you in advance,
Laura

[stepht25]

Are you positive that she's ingesting it or is she just chewing up the wood and letting it fall to the bottom of the cage? If you're actually seeing her ingest it - I would take it out. Get her one of those "edible" perches - I think they make them out of cuttlebone and pumice? Does she have wooden toys in her cage - if so is she chewing on those?

[catschair]

My tiels go through stages where they chew through a perch in a few weeks, then they lose interest. When I first got them, the owners said they did this all the time; guess my house is more diverting. I give them rodent chew toys too (cheaper than buying dowels all the time!).

[birdyland]

I agree, observe her very very carefully. They will often play with wood pieces in their mouth before discarding them; it is quite normal and encouraged for parrots to chew up wood! If you are sure she is eating it, or if she shows any sign of sickness, might be time for a vet visit.

Good luck!

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Stepht25~ Thank you for your response. I am not positive that she is ingesting it. I need to take a closer look. I think she's just shredding it and letting it fall. I will look for an edible perch, though; I didn't know there was such a thing- what a good idea. She has a branch perch but she doesn't chew on it and she does have toys with chewable materials on which she does chew.

Catschair~ Thank you for your response. I feel better knowing it's not just Percy. Rodent toys are a good idea. Never thought of that.

Birdyland~ Thank you for your response. I will observe her carefully to see if she is discarding the wood or ingesting it. She doesn't act sick and is her usual bubbly self, but if I see her eating and swallowing the wood, I will bring her to our vet.

[Monica]

I have the same issue with two budgies here.... put in a couple wooden dowels in their cage, with other types of perches and toys.... yet these two still wanted to chew on the wooden dowel.... and it came to a point that they chewed right through it!!!! I don't think the budgies were all too happy when their perch fell from right underneath them!

All my other birds though don't chew on their perches!

[CrazyforCockatiels]

I wonder what causes the cockatiel to have a thing for gnawing on wood. I wonder about the psychology of the activity and physiological needs that are met through this behavior.

Originally Posted by Monica

I have the same issue with two budgies here.... put in a couple wooden dowels in their cage, with other types of perches and toys.... yet these two still wanted to chew on the wooden dowel.... and it came to a point that they chewed right through it!!!! I don't think the budgies were all too happy when their perch fell from right underneath them!

All my other birds though don't chew on their perches!

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by CrazyforCockatiels

I wonder what causes the cockatiel to have a thing for gnawing on wood. I wonder about the psychology of the activity and physiological needs that are met through this behavior.

It's not just cockatiels.... many parrots chew wood. In fact, I use 2x4 planks as one of the perches in my macaw's cages... they will chew right through them. It fights boredom, and keeps beaks trim and healthy.