Night Fright/Flight?

[Kerri]

Now Frodo is having issues with his wings...actually it's been happening on and off since I got him. The feathers on the edge of the wings have blood on them. I asked a bird vet and she said he probably broke a blood feather during a night fright episode and as long as it isn't continuously bleeding he'll be fine. Is this common? What can I do to help him? The vet said to leave a night light on... I feel bad for him, there was actually blood on the side of his cage this time.

[TooLover]

We leave a night light on for the fids here as a few of them are scared, and any noise will have Elwoodblue shivering and shaking. I would try the night light and see if that helps!

[Joel]

Hello Kerri,

I agree, a night-lite (about 7 watts is plenty - no brighter IMO & IME) and keep the cage in an area that is relatively noise and traffic free during the nights with no view of the outside because the outdoor night-life (seen through a window) can terrify a cockatiel & cause thrashing etc......Good luck.

[Monica]

I agree with what everyone here has already said. Casey, my cockatiel has had nightfrights in the past, and most of them were do to Noel falling off her perch during the night (Noel would lean TOO FAR forward while sleeping and would fall) when I first got her. If your cockatiel can get use to noise and movements during the night, then the night frights wont be so common, however, this can be really hard as most all cockatiels are prone to these night frights.

[sweetie&meli]

mine seems to be fine , she hasent got any yet , although she hisses if she hears a noise but no night frights just yet ..hopefully it will stay that way :)

[primrose04]

My cockatiel had a night fright and I went in and held her until she calmed down. They like to know that mom is there just like a child. I just hold her close to my chest and talk to her calmly and she settles right down.
I am suprised that the vet did not pull the blood feather. If they break a blood feather or if one is cut during clipping it should be pulled or they could bleed to death. if it continues to bleed you should put septic powder on it and call your vet back.

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

My 'tiel doesn't have many night frights anymore. I try to always have her covered at night so she doesn't see the cats or whatever moving around in the dark. I would say that Celine probably has about one or two a year now.
When she does, I speak calmly to her, and if I can get her out of the cage, I hold her close to my chest until she calms down.