Common Cockatiel Injuries
Birds are very fragile creatures that need to live in a safe environment. However, sometimes accidents happen even under the best conditions. The most common injuries among cockatiels involve their wings and feathers from falls. Here are some of the most common injuries and ways to prevent them from happening to your cockatiel.
Cockatiels are known for having “night frights”. It is similar to a child having a nightmare, but in birds it causes them to start flying around their cage in the dark. Usually, the bird is startled by a noise or sight and they wake up confused. Whenever these occur, most birds smash their wings or feathers into the side of the cage or get caught on toys and perches. If your cockatiel is not located in a room near you, it is best to keep a small night light on for it. This way your bird is able to see inside the cage. Always check on your bird first thing in the morning for signs of bleeding on perches or on the bottom of the cage. Most cockatiels do not show signs of pain, so do not rely on your bird’s behavior.
Another common injury for cockatiels is bad falls. Often times a cockatiel’s wings are clipped, so they do not fly all around the house. However, your bird may not remember that it cannot fly and attempt to sightsee in the next room. Cockatiels are very good at flying, but are weaker fliers when their feathers are clipped. They may run into walls, pictures, and curtain rods and then consequently fall down when they are unable to perch. Cockatiels can injure their bottom and break feathers in half. If this type of accident ever occurs always check for blood around the whole body. Any small amount of bleeding can be life threatening to a small cockatiel. Always supervise your bird while it is out of its cage, just so an accident does not happen to your bird.
Any toys that are broken with sharp edges or fraying strings should be removed from the cage immediately. Birds can eat sharp plastic pieces or have their neck become wrapped around strings causing their breathing to be restricted. Never keep long strings in your bird’s cage, even if they love chewing on them. It could be a mistake you will regret forever. To prevent your cockatiel’s toys from becoming hazardous, every morning check all the toys in the cage. Remove and replace any that look worn or broken.
Keeping cockatiels safe from injury is extremely important for all bird owners. Check on your bird as often as possible to make sure it is safe from harm.
Source: https://positivearticles.com