Ask Lafeber

Cockatiel Pecking

My cockatiel went from being the only “baby” to sharing our attention with a dog (whom he gives heart wings to all the time) and 3 kids. About two years ago, he escaped out the back slider and into the native wash area behind our house (we’re in Arizona). We got him back, but a vet recommended clipping his wings, so we did, but I wish we hadn’t. His feathers haven’t grown back and he has been picking at his wings. I think it’s related. His wings now have scarred areas on them and you can tell they hurt when he picks at them. I think they try to heal, so they itch, which makes him peck at them more. He is also starting to pick at his chest. I’m becoming very concerned and don’t know how to change his behavior. He has a clean cage, clean water and cockatiel food. I just ordered Nutri-Berries, but haven’t gotten them yet. He hates fresh veggies & fruits, but loves millet, which I try to limit to special occasions. He just doesn’t seem like himself and I’ve considered relinquishing him to a bird rescue so he can have the best life possible. Is there anything I could try at home first before getting help? My heart is breaking for him.

Hi,

His feathers will not grow back until his clipped feathers have molted. The plucking is likely due to some type of health issue. If this was two years ago, he should have molted at least a couple of times since then. If he has only been eating seeds, then it can definitely be related to poor nutrition. Nutri-Berries are balanced the same as a pellet, so once he is eating these, he will be getting complete nutrition. But you won’t see any feather improvement until he molts. This could also be related to the excessive heat and dryness everyone is experiencing this year. You may want to get a humidifier and see if that helps. I would still recommend a trip to the vet to see what may be going on internally. Two years is too long for feathers not to molt. He probably is very itchy in that case. Relinquishing him to a rescue isn’t going to help him at all. It would most likely make him worse because he would feel abandoned. I would also keep the dog away from him. “Heart” wings is a form of defense – he clearly feels threatened by the dog which is natural because dogs are predators and cockatiels are prey animals. They are very sensitive to being chased or grabbed and I’m sure he feels vulnerable when the dog is near him since he is unable to fly. Keeping to dog away from him would be a good start to helping him get back to good health. He may be in a constant state of stress over the dog even if it doesn’t seem that way to you.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda