Learning about our 2 little ones - BirdBoard.Com - Parrot Message Board & Pet Bird Owner Forums

newtocockatiels · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 09:05 PM

Hi all,
My fiance and I recently got on cockatiel. Her name is Sweetpea. She is a spoiled brat. But more spoiled with love then anything. Then recently we picked up a male. Didn't get him from the same place sine the other place went out of business. We called him woody from when he was acting like a woody pecker in the box the guy put him. That was saturday.
We are now buying another cage like the big one we have for Sweetpea. For the past couple days Woody has been just acting odd. I notice he has been sleeping alot. Any where. My arm to the small temp cage he has. Sweetpea tries to make friends and it just he is really upset about something. I don't know but he was in a cage of at least with 10 -15 other birds in the size of something that should only fit small parakeets. Which I think was stupid. However out of all of them he when I walked around and came back he was easy to find and he said "hello".
I am just kind wondering he stays by the sliding glass doors looking outside and also he sleeps. I don't know if he misses being in that other cage with all the other ones? I just looked over and he was about to sleep until sweetpea opened her mouth. We have had sweetpea for at least 3 months and she is only 7 months old. Woody from what the guy said is about the same age. I am starting to either think the stress from him not use to the place or he is depressed. I am not really sure if woody is going to adjust to how we live either. When we come home. They are out of the cage until 11 PM then it is bed time for everyone.
Oh and he does bite. When you try to get him off your shoulder. I am not sure what that issue is either. I know it is only been a few days. I just don't want sweetpea dead and also give woody back. Woody is good when he wants to be. Is that kinda normal for him to act like this plus sweetpea tries to groom him. Which he rather not have anything to do with? Is that going to change over time?
Thanks,
Sorry I had a lot of questions

dancelady · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 09:56 PM

Hi, first off, your cockatiel is not getting enough sleep, which is why he sleeps during the daytime more than usual. Birds go by the sun, when the sun is gone they should be asleep. That means around 8:00; some people put them to sleep even earlier. You should cover up the cages, if you are active in that room. Secondly, you haven't given him enough time to get used to you and to your environment. He is probably grumpy, and birds do bite when stressed (like not getting enough sleep). So give him some time, let him get relaxed, and don't stress him with a lot of expectations so fast. He is young, so is Sweetpea, and he hasn't gotten used to her either. Before long, he might be a better bird, but be sure and give him more sleep!